Library Guide for Information Technology
Contents

INTRODUCTION
DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR TOPIC?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BOOKS ON YOUR TOPIC?
USE THE CATALOGUE
BROWSE THE LIBRARY SHELVES
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR JOURNAL ARTICLES ON YOUR TOPIC?
BROWSING JOURNALS
USING DATABASES
OTHER RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION

This guide will help you locate information in the area of Information Technology. You may need to use both print and electronic resources to obtain the information you need. The guide is an introduction only and students should ask Library staff for assistance if needed.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR TOPIC?

Dictionaries and encyclopaedias are a good starting point for research. They give definitions and provide background material that will assist you in understanding your topic.

Some useful reference books in the Information Technology area are:

Computer glossary : the complete illustrated dictionary
Computing : the technology of information
Cutting edge : an encyclopedia of advanced technology
Dictionary of computer and Internet terms
Dictionary of computing
Encyclopedia of computer science
Hutchinson dictionary of computing multimedia and the Internet
Information technology dictionary
McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology
Oxford information technology study dictionary
Penguin dictionary of information technology
Prentice Hall's illustrated dictionary of computing
Usborne computer dictionary for beginners
Webster's new world computing dictionary

Check the Library catalogue to see if a particular reference book is held in your campus library.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BOOKS ON YOUR TOPIC?

Books provide detailed information on a subject. You can locate them by using the Library catalogue or browsing the shelves.

USE THE CATALOGUE

To locate material (including books, magazines and videos) use the terms from your topic in a general keyword search of the Library catalogue. For a more structured approach use the following headings for a subject search of the Library catalogue.

Computer programming
Computers
(many sub-headings, examples below)
   Computers - History
   Computers - Maintenance and repair
   Computers - Problems, exercises, etc.
   Computers and civilization
Information technology (many sub-headings, examples below)
   Information technology - Australia
   Information technology -- Management
Integrated software
Management information systems
Technology -- Social aspects

BROWSE THE LIBRARY SHELVES

By browsing the Library shelves you can get an idea of what the Library has in your area. Dewey numbers that you may find useful in the Information Technology area are:

You may also find useful information in an E-book (electronic book). These can be accessed any where and at any time. A number of E-books are available in a range of subject areas.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR JOURNAL ARTICLES ON YOUR TOPIC?

Journals are also known as magazines, serials and periodicals.

Journals provide up to date information and cover recent developments in that subject area. For some areas they are the best source of information.

To locate journal articles you can browse (look through whole issues), or search for journal articles in databases.

BROWSING JOURNALS

Some journals that may be useful in the Information Technology area are:

Check the catalogue or with Library staff to see if these or other journals are held in your Campus Library.

Electronic journals are available online, check this listing.

USING DATABASES

Databases are electronic indexes to journals and other resources. Some databases offer the full text of the article whilst others will provide only information about articles.

Electronic databases that may be useful in the Information Technology area are:

Computers and Applied Sciences Complete
Australia & NZ Reference Centre
Electric Library Australasia
Infotrac OneFile

Information on accessing databases is available from campus libraries or via the Databases page.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET?

INTRODUCING WEBLINKS

The Internet provides access to a vast amount of information. Websites providing this information range from reliable and authoritative to less reputable sites. Weblinks is a collection of websites, covering a range of topics, selected by North Coast Institute library staff for their relevancy and reliability.

Some Weblinks topics that you may find useful are:

Computer viruses
Internet
Multimedia

Or you can select from the Weblinks for Information Technology.

For further assistance in locating information, or using some of the sources listed in this guide, take a look at Searchpath an online research tutorial, or contact library staff.