Reference Services

We are available during the academic year:

Monday:  8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday-Thursday:  8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday:  8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

(Holiday, semester break, and summer hours vary.)

Phone: 303-273-3694
Email:

 
What do you need help with?
Contact a Librarian  
Information Literacy  
Research    
Searching Databases & E-Publications      
Contact a Librarian

Ask us for help--finding a publication, using the Library, searching the Web. We encourage you to make an appointment with us if you need extensive assistance. Contact us:

  • In person, at the Arthur Lakes Library, Reference Room, Main Floor, north side.
  • Call the Reference Desk: 303-273-3694.  We have voice mail.
  • Email:  
  • Online Form: Ask a Librarian!
  • Staff contacts

Lisa Dunn, Head of Reference
303-273-3687 | | home page
Specialty: Geosciences
Liaison: Geology & Geological Engineering

Megan Tomeo, Reference Librarian
303-273-3689 |
Liaison: Engineering and Physics

Heather Whitehead, Reference Librarian
303-273-3681 |
Liaison: Chemistry & Geochemistry and Chemical Engineering

 
Information Literacy
information literacy  n.  1. Possession of  the practical skills needed to locate, evaluate, and use information to support lifelong learning. 2. Development of critical thinking skills to reflect on the nature of information and its impact on society.

Why include information literacy in your class?

  1. Many students lack solid information research skills.  This reduces the effectiveness of your assignments.
  2. Even students with good research skills may not know enough about the resources in their discipline.
  3. We can work with your students as a group, instead of trying to help them one by one the day before the assignment is due!
  4. Information literacy supports lifelong learning and critical thinking skills.

Information Skills for the CSM Graduate is a guide to the skills students should develop as scientists and engineers.

We offer:

  • Information literacy sessions, workshops and brown bags. Includes:
  • Help Guides.  Don't see what you need? Contact us about creating a special Help Guide for your students.
  • Partnerships with a librarian on instruction, assessment, and other activities. Contact us for ideas.
  • Tours for the Public [under construction]. We conduct tours by appointment. We have given tours for K-12 students, mining history enthusiasts, government employees, parents of CSM students, and many others.
    • Local businesses and consultants
    • CSM alumni
    • Request a tour
 Research
We provide specialized  information research services to CSM, and to the public as resources allow. These include:
  • Research advice
  • Database searches
  • Grad students--your dissertation

Contact the Reference librarians for more information.

 
Searching Databases & E-Publications
Our resources include both subscription-based and open access titles.
  • Subscription-based. Most of our databases and many of our e-publications are accessible by subscription for CSM only. (The same applies for other Colorado institutions.) Access is available through:
    • CSM campus network. In a few cases access must be verified by using a CSM e-mail account
    • Off campus using the Campus Dial-up Modem Pool or the Virtual Private Network
    • "In-library use only" for a very few resources--SciFinder Scholar (Chemical Abstracts) is the most significant one. Contact us about access and passwords.
  • Open access. We don't pay a fee for these resources, which are openly available via the Web.
    • Goldrush includes many open access e-journals, including sci/tech fields such as chemistry and earth sciences.

Need help...

Selecting a database?
  • Database Search Page lists databases by subject so you can browse or find out if we have access to a specific database.
  • Consult us about core "must search" databases for your subject area.
Searching a database?
  • Consult us for tips to make your search more efficient and effective.
  • Extensive online instructional material is available, including Database Guides, that can provide you with a quick start.
Finding the materials you've identified from the database?
  • Consult us for tips and tricks.
  • Full e-text:
    • Direct links. Some databases provide links directly to full e-text for the item.
    • Search links. Some databases provide links to Goldrush (an e-text journal article finder) or other e-text finders. These links run automatic searches to try to match your item to full e-text. Consumer Alert! Automatic searching isn't fool proof. If an automatic search fails, you should...
    • Go directly to our library catalog Catalyst or Goldrush and search using the title of the journal. Look for a list of the volumes/years of the journal that are accessible to you in full e-text.
  • Materials in print or physical formats
    • Search Catalyst or Prospector. Prospector allows you to do  your own interlibrary loans for materials in other libraries that can be checked out. If your material isn't in Catalyst or available through Prospector...
    • Use interlibrary loan forms to order the material or a copy.