IS 201: The California Gold Rush (Lindell)

What can reference sources do for you?

As you've learned in other courses, an encyclopedia can get you started with an overview of your topic and recommendations of further sources.

The encyclopedias below are provided as examples of what a reference source COULD provide in terms of resources for a gold rush topic--however, the ones I list below often DIDN'T have anything about the gold rush.

A search in our TRAC Partner libraries may reveal other libraries' resources that DO have things you could use. The search box below searches our partner libraries (example, UNI, University of Iowa, ISU, etc.) If you find something you like, you can request to have it mailed here.

Searches for books and other physical materials at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, Grandview University, Grinnell College, Allen College, and Saint Ambrose University.

In our OneSearch Advanced Search view, you'll find the option to search for items in our TRAC Partner library catalogs at the top right. Just select the radio button labeled TRAC Partner Libraries and begin searching.

Brief record view:

After you have conducted a search, you'll see a brief record view of results. It is recommended that you sign in to your Wartburg account at this point.

Library Limiters and the Full Record:

On the right side, you'll also see a limiter for Institution. If you click on that, it will explode to show you all the libraries that have items with your keyword(s). You can select a specific library to narrow your search, if you'd like.

Click the "Check for available services" link to access the item's Full Record and view which libraries have this item and put in a request.

Full record view:

Notice that the record reads "No available services for this item". This means that Vogel Library does not have this item and you need to request it from another library.

Look at the GET IT FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS section to see which Iowa libraries do have the item. Click the "Available in institution" link to request the item from that institution.

Library Information & Request Link:

The first thing you'll see is some details about the item in the other Iowa library, such as location and call number. You'll also see a Request link.

Click the Request link to open the Request Form.

Request Form:

The Request Form for a TRAC library item will default to the library you've selected from the list (in this case, Grinnell). Since you are logged in to your library account, the TRAC Request is automatically assigned to your account. Just fill out the form and click Send Request.