Distance Learning Students
Welcome to the Herkimer County Community College Library. Distance learners are very important to us. We want to help you find academic resources wherever you are. This site will help you get started. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any point in your search, or contact your closest academic library.
Telephone: 315-866-0300 x8394
Fax: 315-866-1806
E-mail: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
About Us
The HCCC Library has more than 70,000 books, which can be accessed through an online catalog , and approximately 200 periodical subscriptions. A variety of online reference databases are available as well as access to scholarly resources on the World Wide Web (WWW). Computerized access and reciprocal agreements also allow the HCCC Library to borrow needed materials from other libraries for students. These agreements help to expand the quality and quantity of information available to you.
Our Services:
We help you find books, encyclopedias, magazine or journal articles, and scholarly, peer-reviewed resources (be sure to specify this when using databases). We show you how to utilize the World Wide Web for college research. You can also ask professional librarians to help you find the information you need.
Books
Books are still a viable resource. Why? They go through a complete editing process to make sure there are no errors or plagiarism issues. They also have excellent bibliographies to help you find more information about your topic. Please try the library catalog, or the databases NetLibrary or WorldCAT to find books.
Encyclopedias
An encyclopedia is a way to find quick, reliable information that does not have to be current. You can access subject-specific, full-text encyclopedias using the Gale Virtual Reference Library, as well as the Funk and Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia, located on our database page.
Magazine, Newspaper and Journal Articles
Full-text magazine, journal and newspaper articles are available to use 24/7. Databases are not the WWW, but you can access them on your computer, because the library subscribes to them. All our databases are listed in alphabetical or subject order. Do not limit yourself to only one when you search for reliable information. Watch the tutorials or read “How to Use this Database” provided by the vendors. It will save you time. Access to the database menu is available from our library’s homepage (left column).
InterLibrary Loan
We can help you get almost any book you need from libraries all over the world through what is called interlibrary loan. Basically, we “ask” other libraries to loan you material. The system we use now is called ILLiad. To register for an ILLiad account, go to our Library homepage and look for “ILLiad/Become a First Time User.” You will only have to register one time.
We can also loan you material from our library through the U.S. postal system. Send us an email ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) requesting the items you need and we will mail them to you with a return label and postage. This service is free.
Research Help
If you are not sure where to look for college research tools, please contact us to make sure you have all the information you need to complete your assignments. Please don’t depend on the World Wide Web until you contact us first.
World Wide Web (WWW) Research
Sometimes we are not available to help you immediately. There are some Web sites we can recommend. Check for recently updated material and scholarly information on every Web site you search before you use it for college assignments.
Below are links to Web sites and Search Engines we believe can help you complete your assignments. We highly recommend that you start with books and databases. A combination of all of them is the best solution to learn about college research. This knowledge will get you the great job you want, or get you into the next college of your choice.
Librarians’ Index to the Internet
This search engine is created by scholars and librarians. Updated often, they choose the best Web sites to use for all types of searches. They edit out the sites that will NOT help you get the information you need. Your time is precious.
Google Scholar
Google Scholar was designed with colleges and libraries in mind. This search engine also eliminates Web sites that you do NOT want to use when completing college assignments.
Scirus
If you need scientific information, Scirus is the search engine for you. This search engine is sponsored by an international publishing company, and allows you to search for journal articles only. Please try it!
Public Libraries
Please don’t forget that you can have access to books, databases and local newspapers through your own public library. They are excellent resources for the distance learner. Use the above link to find a library near you.
SUNYConnect
SUNYConnect Union Catalog links you to materials in all the SUNY libraries that you may need to complete your research.
Citation Styles - MLA, APA or Chicago Style
Sooner or later, your professor is going to ask you to cite your sources or create a bibliography using APA, MLA or the Chicago style. What are they? How do you do it? Please click on this link to find out how.
Almost every database we have helps you cite your sources. Look around the main page of each database to find citation assistance. Some will do it for you, but check to make sure they gave you the correct format. Everyone makes mistakes.
Also, Microsoft Word allows you to add footnotes, citations and make a bibliography in your document. Click on References to do this.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Copy and pasting from Web sites, database articles and previously written papers is plagiarism. Allowing someone else to write your papers is cheating. All this can be avoided by reading the information about your topic before writing. You will then have enough knowledge to write your own ideas, and back them up with quotations from the experts. Remember, you are just beginning your road to a great career. No one expects you to be perfect. Give credit to those who came before you by quoting every work you use. If you need help contact your instructor, a librarian, or someone from the Academic Support Center (315.866.0300 X8275) .