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Subject Guide – Biology Ask-A-Librarian 
(330) 941-3686
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How can I find information using Maag Library?

Hello and welcome to Maag Library! Since every library is different in what it offers we’ve created an outline to help you understand some of the unique features of Maag Library. This is just an overview so that you can take full advantage of our services for your information needs! Remember we are just a phone call, e-mail, or visit away if you want help!

  1. Reference Librarians and Subject Librarians at Maag Library can assist from the very beginning to the very end of an assignment, problem, question, or curiosity that requires information to solve

    1. Getting assistance when using Maag Library

      1. Visit a librarian at the Reference Desk on the Main Floor of Maag
      2. Call a librarian at the Reference Desk (330)941-3686
      3. Make an appointment with a Subject Librarian
      4. Ask a Librarian from Maag Library
      5. Chat with a Librarian from an OhioLINK Library
      6. Faculty may request a Library Instruction Session for a class

  2. Maag Library offers a variety of facilities and services to YSU card holders looking for information

    1. Maag Library

      1. Located on the YSU campus in three buildings – the Main Library , the Curriculum Resource Center , and the Melnick Medical Museum
      2. Purchases information for the YSU community in many formats
      3. Organizes reference books, circulating books, and periodicals using the Library of Congress Classification System which uses letters to identify a subject area
      4. Places microforms, government documents, CDs, newspapers, etc. in a different type of order
      5. Shares electronic subscriptions such as databases, e-journals, etc. through the website
      6. Lends materials to those with valid library barcodes
      7. Provides off campus access to many databases for those with a YSU ID and a library barcode


    2. OhioLINK Consortium

      1. Consists of over 80 libraries, including YSU, that share resources
      2. Purchases OhioLINK Research Databases with and for member libraries
      3. Allows YSU card holders to visit, borrow, and use materials at another OhioLINK library using OhioLINK Library Catalog
      4. Enables YSU card holders to request materials to be delivered to Maag Library (takes 3-5 days)
      5. Coordinates Chat Ref service throughout the state


    3. Northeast Depository

      1. Shared storage facility for YSU, Akron, Cleveland State, Kent State, and NEOUCOM
      2. Permits YSU card holders to visit, borrow, and use materials in the Rootstown facility
      3. Searches that indicate a location of NE Depository can be requested (takes 3-5 days)
      4. Requests for books can be done by clicking on the “Request” button in the MaagNet record
      5. Requests for articles can be done in person or electronically
      6. Pick up and turn in paper article request forms at the Reference Desk on the Main Floor of Maag
      7. Submit electronic request forms for articles online


    4. Interlibrary Loan

      1. Lending service for materials not directly available through Maag Library
      2. Articles unavailable through Maag (OhioLINK Libraries typically do not lend periodicals!) may be requested
      3. Books unavailable through Maag and OhioLINK may be requested
      4. Requests can be done in person or electronically
      5. Pick up and turn in paper forms at the Reference Desk on the Main Floor of Maag
      6. Submit electronic request forms for books and articles online


    5. Other Options:

      1. A local Ohio library
      2. Check WorldCat (Off-Campus) for a not so local library
      3. Check the RLG Union Catalog (Off-Campus) for another not so local library
      4. Internet Sources
      5. Experts in the Field
      6. Associations


  3. Locating information can be done using online catalogs and databases available through Maag Library

    1. Using MaagNet Online Catalog

      1. Use MaagNet our Online Catalog to locate information that Maag Library owns
      2. View records to determine availability and format (print, electronic, etc.)
      3. Note the location , call number , and status
      4. Find physical items by using the building guide to assist
      5. Click on the link in the record if it is an electronic resource (may be available off campus, too)
      6. Mark records of interest to export for printing and/or e-mailing, if desired
      7. Renewal online can be available through "Your Library Record"


    2. Using OhioLINK Online Catalog

      1. Search OhioLINK Central Catalog to locate information owned by all OhioLINK members
      2. Mark records of interest to export for printing and/or e-mailing, if desired
      3. View records to determine availability
      4. Request this item online from the OhioLINK record using a YSU library barcode (takes 3-5 days)
      5. Check "Your Circulation Record" to see the status of the request
      6. Steps include: “Requested,” “In Transit,” and “OhioLINK Rec’d”
      7. Pick-up the item once it is received at the Circulation Desk on the Main Floor of Maag Library
      8. Delivery to another OhioLINK library is always an option when making the request


    3. Using the Databases

      1. Access over 100 online databases through Research Databases
      2. Within each database there is access to many journals, books, etc.
      3. Offers an index to find citations for articles, books, maps, encyclopedias, etc.
      4. May include, but not always, abstracts (summary of the article) and full-text
      5. Select a database or create subject cluster to match the topic
      6. Search using author, title, subject headings, keywords, etc.
      7. View result list clicking on records of interest
      8. If you are uncertain if the article is from a scholary, trade, or popular publication check these criteria, the publisher's webpage, Ulrich's Periodical Directory (at Reference Desk), or ask a librarian.
      9. Save records for export to e-mail and/or print
      10. Click on Full-Text HTML or PDF Full-Text options if visible to get the article
      11. If not visible check for “Find a Copy” or “O Links” to click and find
      12. If it states no print holdings check Youngstown’s Catalog just in case
      13. If it is still not available it is best to double check by following the steps below for finding a specific article


    4. Finding a specific article

      1. Using the periodical title, author, article title, etc. one may be able to locate the article
      2. Check with the Periodical Title Abbreviations (at Reference Desk) if the periodical title is abbreviated
      3. Check for the periodical title in the E-Journal Finder
      4. If not available that route look for the periodical title using MaagNet there may be more than one record for the periodical title if it is available in different formats such as: print, microfilm, electronic
      5. If not available through MaagNet check OhioLINK holdings to see if it is available at the NE Depository
      6. If it is at the NE Depository it may be requested via the Depository Request Form (3-5 days)
      7. If it is not available it may be requested via Interlibrary Loan (Can take a month or more)


  4. Maag Library helps you gather pertinent and important information by offering the following tips and services

    1. Access to computers with a variety of programs and the ability print, save, and/or e-mail information
    2. Ability to use materials in the library, photocopy, or in many cases check out materials
    3. How to write a report using OWL (Online Writing Lab) from Purdue University
    4. View PowerPoint presentations from OWL to assist with the writing process
    5. Distinguishing between types of periodical literature including scholary, trade, and popular publications
    6. Identifying the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.
    7. A link to Maag Library Guides for topic selection, search strategies, and using a variety of sources
    8. Bibliography or citation information at How to Cite a Source and Citing Sources


  5. To put the information together accurately and creatively there is assistance from the Writing Center and the Center for Student Progress

  6. While evaluating the process of finding information Maag staff is here to help answer these kinds of questions

    1. Did the information seeking strategy work well?
    2. Were there other resources more effective and efficient to use?
    3. What could be adjusted to improve information seeking strategies next time?