Library QuickStart Guides are designed to assist students with the most
commonly requested Library services and information needs. Below you
will find QuickStart Guides and tutorials that will assist you in doing
your research. If you have any questions, please contact us at
434-832-7750 or library@cvcc.vccs.edu.
How do I find a book, video, or CD?
You can go to our Online Library Catalog by
clicking here.
Tips on how to use the Online Library Catalog can be found in the
QuickStart Guide -- Using the Online Library Catalog.
Click here
to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
A tutorial is available that demonstrates the Online Library Catalog,
a searchable database of materials in the library collection.
Click here
to view the tutorial Using the Online Library Catalog: Looking Up Library Books and Materials.
(Play in Slide Show mode to hear audio.)
A tutorial is available that explains how books in the library are
organized using the Library of Congress Classification System.
Click here
to view the tutorial Understanding the Library of Congress Classification System.
(Play in Slide Show mode to hear audio.)
Can I request a book be placed on hold?
Yes, this can be done electronically. Learn how by using the
QuickStart Guide -- Placing Holds.
Click here
to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
A tutorial is available that demonstrates how to place a hold on
library material anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection.
Click here
to view the tutorial Placing Holds on Library Material.
(Play in Slide Show mode to hear audio.)
You can learn more about the library’s webpage by viewing the QuickStart Guide -- Library Information Reference Page.
Click here
to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
How do I use a database?
A tutorial is available that helps you become more familiar with
the CVCC Library’s extensive electronic database collection.
Click here
to view the tutorial Introduction to Electronic Databases.
(Play in Slide Show mode to hear audio.)
There are quite a number of databases that we have, but most of them have
many things in common. We have tutorials of some of our most popular
databases listed below.
Click here to view a tutorial of Literature Resource Center. (This takes a few minutes to load.)
Click here to view a tutorial of Opposing Viewpoints. (This takes a few minutes to load.)
The Library subscribes to more than 30 EBSCO databases. These databases
use the EBSCOhost 2.0 interface, and searching techniques used in these
databases are quite similar. The following tutorials cover topics related
to EBSCOhost databases:
Click here
to view the tutorial Introduction to EBSCOhost 2.0.
This tutorial looks at the new EBSCOhost searching interface as well as new
features implemented with the 2.0 release.
Click here
to view the tutorial Basic Searching for Academic Libraries
(EBSCOhost). This tutorial is a concise guide to the most popular EBSCOhost
features, including tips on how to make the most of these features in an
academic library environment.
Click here
to view the tutorial My EBSCOhost Personalization Folder.
This tutorial demonstrates how to set up and use a free personalization (My
EBSCOhost) folder, which allows users to extend the usage of EBSCOhost search
results beyond a current session. Accounts are simple to set up, and users
can save search results, store images, videos, persistent links to searches,
saved searches, search alerts, journal alerts, and more.
Click here
to view the tutorial CINAHL Basic and Advanced Searching.
This tutorial covers the CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health)
database; it shows how to conduct searches on the Basic and Advanced search
screens and explores the CINAHL Headings.
Click here
to view the tutorial Consumer Health Complete. This
tutorial covers the Consumer Health Complete database,
which offers latest medical research including evidence-based reports,
fact sheets & pamphlets, and encyclopedias & reference Books.
Can I access these databases from home?
Yes!!! To find out how, read the QuickStart Guide -- Off Campus Access to Electronic Library Resources.
Click here
to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
I didn’t find what I wanted or needed in your catalog. Can you get it for me?
Yes we can! It is a service called interlibrary loan or ILL. To find out how, read the QuickStart Guide -- Interlibrary Loan Service.
Click here
to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
I’m an online/distance student and need something in your catalog. Can you send it to me?
Of course!! To find out how you can request an item, see the QuickStart Guide -- Online/Distance Education Students: Requesting Library Materials.
Click here to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
I’m a student at the Altavista/Amherst/Appomattox/Bedford Center. Can you send me something from your collection?
Sure we can do that!! For the instructions to make such a request, see the QuickStart Guide -- Off Campus Center Students: Requesting Library Materials.
Click here to view this QuickStart Guide in PDF format.
