Get Connected to UB in 5 Easy Steps

Learn basic research skills

All these resources can be accessed through the UB Libraries main page at library.buffalo.edu. Browse the links provided under the heading “Find Library Materials”. You’ll be impressed with the number of resources to assist you in finding books, articles, electronic and print journals, as well as other resources. And when you’re finished, you’ll have no excuse if your research papers and assignments aren’t done well!

You’ll want to get started with the Library Skills Workbook.  This instructional resource is designed to help you in two important ways: it will introduce you to the UB Libraries information resources, and general information literacy skills you need for research. The Library Skills Workbook is a general education requirement for all undergraduates, including transfer students, and you should complete it at some point during your first semester at UB. The Library Skills Workbook can be accessed under Quick Links on the UB Libraries main web page.

 The online Research Tips will help you learn basic research skills.  The Research Tips helps you locate books, periodicals, and full-text articles using the Libraries’ print and online resources, including the BISON online catalog.  It also shows you how to cite your sources, and what to look for when using the Web for research. The Research Tips are designed to take you through the entire research process, but each section stands alone, so if you need to familiarize yourself with a specific aspect of research, you can use the directory to go straight to that particular information. You’ll find the Research Tips at: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/tutorials/.

And finally, just for us students, UB Librarians created the “Ask a Librarian” resource. Ask a Librarian gives you two ways of asking a librarian a question over the Internet and also tells you where to get help in-person. You can use the Instant Librarian service, which is a live chat feature and a convenient way to get real-time assistance or information from an on-campus librarian. There is no need for an instant messaging account or log-in ID; you can begin chatting directly into the chat box on the Instant Librarian page. The chat service is available during the Fall and Spring semesters.

In addition to live chat, librarians can answer your questions via email. You can send your questions using the link provided on the Ask a Librarian page. Responses are usually received within 24 hours Monday-Friday. Of course, if you want to talk to a librarian in person, phone numbers for all of the libraries are listed on the Ask a Librarian page.

You’ll find that you simply won’t be able to be successful here at UB without developing strong research skills, so visit the online library resources often and make sure you know how to get the information you need.  Ask a librarian if you need any help!