Find resources, or how to use our search tools
You can use the library catalogue search to find resources at Lakeland and other libraries in our consortium.
Find the resources and information you need through library search tools.
- the NEOS library catalogue
- our Research Guides
- our database subscriptions
- our one stop search
Click on a tile below to learn about search tools and also searching for specific formats. Step-by-step search instructions are included.
If you have questions, please ask any of us at the library. We’re happy to help.
Library Catalogue
Library Catalogue
When you use the NEOS Library Consortium Catalogue search you're getting more results than just Lakeland College Library holdings.
Lakeland College is a member of the NEOS Library Consortium. It's a group of post-secondary and government libraries in central and northern Alberta. Other member libraries include the University of Alberta, Red Deer College, Olds College, Grand Prairie Regional College, most Government of Alberta libraries and Capital Health (Edmonton) libraries.
Search NEOS by entering your keywords in the catalogue search box. You'll find:
- books
- e-books
- streaming videos
- DVDs
- other resources such as government documents
You can limit your search to particular types of resources, or even particular libraries. Check out two of the most common ways people limit their searches
Limit your search by library: only Lakeland College
- Look for Library in the search box
- Click on the down arrow and select Lakeland College
- Your results will only show Lakeland College holdings.
Limit your search to a particular format: books
- Look for Format in the search box
- Select Books from the format drop down
Limit your search to a particular format: e-books
- Choose Advanced Search at the bottom of the search box.
- When the new page opens, look for E-resource Type
- Choose the e-book option to limit your results to only that format.
Limit your search by library
Limit your search by library
You can limit your search to a particular library,
Limit your search by library: only Lakeland College
- Look for Library in the search box
- Click on the down arrow and select Lakeland College
- Your results will only show Lakeland College holdings.
Limit search by format
Limit search by format
Limit your search to a particular format
- Look for Format in the search box
- Select what format you are looking for. All the formats are listed in the graphic below. Or, leave it on the default ANY to get all types of resources.
- If you want an e-book, you'll have to do an advanced search (see the next tile)
Limit search to e-book format
Limit search to e-book format
Limit your search to e-books format
- Choose Advanced Search at the bottom of the search box.
- When the new page opens, look for E-resource Type
- Choose the e-book option to limit your results to only that format.
Using Research Guides
Using Research Guides
Research Guides were compiled by library staff to provide you with a research head start.
- recommended resources for finding information, such as books, databases (for finding journal/magazine articles) and web sites.
- information about how to evaluate web sites and how to cite materials.
- illustrated examples of the components of a basic citation for a book, journal article and a journal article from a database.
This is the Research Guide home page
Here's what a research guide looks like. The screen shot is of the chemistry guide.
Searching with Research Guides
Searching with Research Guides
When you open a research guide, you'll see a menu on the left side of the page (see graphic at right).
- reference books
- encyclopedias
- books
- e-books
- streaming video
- DVDs
- journals and magazines
- newspaper articles
- websites
Each guide also offers you insight into:
- evaulating websites
- citing sources
- more research tips
- writing research papers
- using Google Scholar
The graphic also gives an example of an open format type. In this case it's find journal and magazine articles. You'll likely be sent to a specific database to do your search, so don't be alarmed if you go to another site. There's also help in the form of a tutorial.
Searching and evaluating websites
Searching and evaluating websites
Everyone who has sat at a computer likely knows about Google or other popular search engines such as Yahoo and Bing. Live.com is another search engine you might consider when you're doing research.
Like every other resource you use, you need to analyze whether the website has reliable information.
In general site analysis should include:
- how current is the site/information
- why was the site created (look in their about us section. If there isn't one, it's a red flag)
- identify the source of the site
- for research purposes look for sites whose URL end with .gov, .edu or .org
- check content for accuracy - what's the source? is the information comprehensive?
- check and analyze hyperlinks - are they up-to-date?
- look at the style and function - are grammar and spelling good? is the site laid our clearly.
If you'd like to use guidelines, here are 2 resources:
- The CRAAP Test
- e-version of Evaluating Websites Checklist with a 6-part evaluation
Using database subscriptions
Using database subscriptions
Along with the Research Guides, library staff also subscribe to a number of research databases. Information from the databases are shared with you using same platform (LibGuides). You'll see the same layout of information.
With the move from a microsite to Lakeland's main website, the database search formats are currently limited to an A to Z index.
Ee have 64 databases listed on our A-Z database [You'll be directed to our libguides site when you click this link].
You'll see this page. You'll be able to search by subject.