If you are arguing for one side of a controversial topic, think about the kind of evidence you might need to use in your argument. If you need basic background information or a quick introduction, consider using sources from the Reference area. Ask a Reference Librarian to help you find a reference source on your topic. To find books dealing with your topic, use the library's catalog , also known as FRED . The catalog is like an inventory of all the items the library owns.
Books provide broad coverage of a topic.
Because they take a long time to produce, books are usually not the most current source of information, but they give lots of background and analysis. To find articles dealing with your topic, use an index . Traditional indexes point you to where an article is available. There are now a few full-text indexes, such as InfoTrac , which provide some complete articles online. Check the Library Databases page for examples.