Reference and Research tools

FrontPage

See what the library has to offer to help you begin your research.

In the AIPH Library:

When you're just starting out:

• Look for your topic in the Reference section of the library (you can browse by topic).
• Search Gale Virtual Reference to find basic information.
• Search a reference Database such as Reference USA, Encyclopedia Britannica Online or Oxford Reference.

For more in-depth information:

• Look for books using Athena, the library's catalog, or browse books by subject.
• Use our Databases to look for specific information:
  • for full-text magazine, journal, and newspaper articles look in ProQuest, WilsonWeb or eLibrary .
  • for images look in AP Images, Getty Images, Camio or Oxford Art Online.
  • for business information look in Hoovers or Marketline.
  • for fashion look in FashionSnoops or WWB.
  • for literature use MagillOnLiterature Plus

On the Web:

All websites are librarian approved and free!

Librarians’ Internet Index - http://www.lii.org/

This website is a guide to the world wide web.  Over 20,000 entries are provided and maintained by librarians. Websites are grouped into different subject categories. Browse the categories or search for a topic. Each link is followed by a description of the resource and links to other related topics.

Internet Public Library - http://www.ipl.org/

Librarians and library students maintain this website. Links to useful web pages are organized by topic and searchable by topic or title. You can also ask reference questions. 

NewsCenter - http://www.freepint.com/gary/newscenter.htm

Online directory to domestic and international major newspapers, news stations, and other news providing organizations.

Free Library of Philadelphia - http://www.freelibrary.org/

Use this website to search the Free Library collection, access internet guides, or ask reference questions. As students of the Art Institute, you can get a free library card to the Free Library of Philadelphia. Take your student ID to the main branch of the library on 19^th St. and Vine St. and ask for a card.  The Free Library card will get you access to all 50 branches of the library and access to lots of online resources.

OnlineDictionary - http://www.yourdictionary.com/

This online dictionary and thesaurus guarantees correct entries by providing access to Webster’s New World Dictionary and Roget’s Thesaurus.

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - http://www.iep.utm.edu/

Philosophy professor from all over the United States manage this online encyclopedia. Search by topic or philosopher. Articles on this website are copyrighted material, so be sure to cite whatever information you use from this resource.

Perseus Digital Library - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/

Tufts University provides this great resource to classic documents. The materials available on this website include documents from the following genres: Greek, Roman, Arabic, Germanic, 19^th Century American, Renaissance, and Ptolemaic. The site also features the ability to browse art and archaeology artifacts. 

Great Books Online - http://www.bartleby.com/

Free online access to reference books (dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauri, factbooks, etc.) as well as fiction and nonfiction materials.  Search authors, subjects or titles to find materials.

Citations:

No matter what information sources you use, don't forget to cite them! Use the MLA Citation Cheat Sheet or another citation building tool to help you put your citations together correctly.

Updated November 2009