HIS 221: The Reformation: Start

When you're searching in databases, you may find lots of materials that are not full text in the database or available here in print. To find the full text, click the FindIt! button (the bright yellow one). 

A few possible things might happen.

• It's full text in another database, in which case the FindIt! button will take you to a screen where you can access the full text.
   
• The library has a print copy of the journal, in which case the Find It! button will tell you we have it. You will go to the library's lowest level, where you'll find print copies of journals in alphabetical order of journal title. You can check these out. 
   
• We don't have access to the full text, but you can request it from a different library. The FindIt! button will prompt you to log in (with your Gustavus user name and password); follow the prompts to request the item.

If you're searching the catalog and find books we don't have, click the title of the book you want and then look for the Request from Another Library button.  

If you click the FindIt! button and nothing works, or a link is broken, or ILL isn't working, or you're not sure if we have the journal in print or you just can't make the darn thing work, it's okay! Tracking down the hard copies of materials can be challenging, due to the number of systems that may or may not talk to each other. You should always track down a librarian (stop at the Information Desk, email me, etc.), and we can help you find your materials.

You can also click the Tracking Down Materials tab (top) for more information.

You should be thinking about search terms - and using more than one word or phrase. Pay attention to the terms that experts in the field use to identify your topic. Also consult the Search Tips tab (top of page) for more ideas on how to search.

The Accessing Hard Copies box to the left, as well as the Tracking Down Materials tab (top of page) give detailed information on getting materials from other libraries; feel free to email me with specific questions, too.

Finally, use the Choosing Sources tab for help on determining whether or not you're looking at a scholarly source.

• Academic Search Premier

  A good place to start research on most any subject. This multi-disciplinary database indexes nearly 8,050 publications and provides full text for nearly 4,600, including more than 3,900 peer-reviewed journals. Access is provided by eLibraryMN (ELM).
• ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials Plus

  The premier index to journal articles, book reviews, and collections of essays in all fields of religion. More than 450 journal articles are provided in full text. As of 2018, includes the content of the former Catholic Periodicals & Literature Index.
• Early English Books Online

  Contains digital facsimile images of nearly 100,000 books in English printed between 1473 and 1700 - virtually every work printed in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and British North America, plus works in English printed elsewhere. Texts range from the first book printed in English by William Caxton through the age of Spenser and Shakespeare and the English Civil War. Included are works by Malory, Bacon, More, Erasmus, Boyle, Newton, Galileo; musical exercises by Henry Purcell; novels by Aphra Behn; prayer books, pamphlets, and proclamations; almanacs, calendars, and many other primary sources.
• Gustavus Library Search

  The online catalog to the library at Gustavus Adolphus College.
• JSTOR

  Full-text backfiles to over 350 scholarly journals from more than 25 academic disciplines published between the 19th and 21st centuries in the JSTOR Arts & Sciences I, Arts & Sciences II, and Language & Literature collections. JSTOR provides complete journal backruns from the date of initial publication up to a "moving wall" of 3 to 5 years before the present year. To limit your search to full text articles, make sure that the option to "include links to external content" is turned off.
• Internet History Sourcebooks Project: Reformation Europe:
  A collection of public domain and copy-permitted historical texts presented cleanly (without advertising or excessive layout) for educational use. Primary sources are available here primarily for use in high-school and university/college courses. From the outset the site took a very broad view of the sources that should be available to students and as well as documents long associated with a "western civilization" approach to history also provides much information on Byzantine, Islamic, Jewish, Indian, East Asian, and African history. You will also find many documents especially relevant to women's history and LGBT studies.
• Euro Docs: Renaissance, Reformation, and Early Modern Germany:
  Links connect to European primary historical documents that are transcribed, reproduced in facsimile, or translated. In addition you will find video or sound files, maps, photographs or other imagery, databases, and other documentation. The sources cover a broad range of historical happenings (political, economic, social and cultural). The order of documents is chronological wherever possible.
• Hanover College: The Protestant Reformation:"This page is from Hanover College's Internet Archive of Texts and Documents, which is no longer actively maintained. In the 1990s, useful historical material was not easy to find online. The Hanover history department pioneered in offering guides like this one to useful primary and secondary sources found throughout the web. Although searching the web is easy now, we continue to offer our most popular subject guides for users who prefer them."

To find books in our library, search the Library Catalog - you can also search directly via  the search box on the library's homepage.

When you find books that look useful, write down the Location (usually will be something like General Collection, Reference, Browsing, Oversize, etc.) & the Call Number (a long string of letters & numbers). 

General Collection, A - PQ  are on the Third Floor 

General Collection, PR - Z are on the Second (Main) Floor

Oversize, A - Z are on the Third Floor

Reference, A - Z are on the Second (Main) Floor.

Once you are in the right area, signs on the sides of the shelves will direct you further. The system is a little tricky to figure out at first, so don't hesitate to ask for directions at the Information Desk (main floor of the library).

Browse the shelves when you find a useful book. Books are shelved according to topic, so chances are you'll find other relevant books nearby.

You can check books out at the Information Desk.