10 Broomfield Library Tips For Better Research

The Broomfield Library, located in the heart of Broomfield, Colorado, is a treasure trove of knowledge and information, offering a wide range of resources and services to support the research needs of its community. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply a curious individual, the Broomfield Library is an excellent place to start your research journey. In this article, we will provide you with 10 Broomfield Library tips for better research, helping you to make the most out of your visit and achieve your research goals.

Getting Started with Research at the Broomfield Library

Before diving into your research, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the Broomfield Library’s layout, resources, and services. The library’s website is an excellent place to start, providing information on its hours of operation, location, and available resources. You can also browse the library’s online catalog, which allows you to search for books, articles, and other materials. Creating a library account is also a great way to access the library’s digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks, and online databases.

Tip 1: Utilize the Library’s Online Resources

The Broomfield Library offers a wide range of online resources, including digital databases such as JSTOR, EBSCO, and ProQuest. These databases provide access to thousands of academic journals, newspapers, and magazines, making it easier to find relevant information for your research. You can also access the library’s e-book collection, which includes a vast selection of fiction and non-fiction titles.

Tip 2: Explore the Library’s Physical Collections

The Broomfield Library’s physical collections include a vast selection of books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other materials. You can browse the shelves to find relevant resources, or use the library’s online catalog to search for specific titles. The library also offers a interlibrary loan service, which allows you to borrow materials from other libraries if they are not available in the Broomfield Library’s collection.

Research Strategies and Tools

Once you have familiarized yourself with the library’s resources and services, it is time to start your research. The Broomfield Library offers a range of research strategies and tools to help you find the information you need. Reference librarians are available to provide guidance and support, and the library’s website offers a range of research guides and tutorials.

Tip 3: Use the Library’s Research Guides

The Broomfield Library’s research guides are an excellent resource for finding relevant information on a specific topic. These guides provide a list of recommended resources, including books, articles, and online databases, and offer tips and strategies for searching and evaluating information.

Tip 4: Take Advantage of the Library’s Tutorials and Workshops

The Broomfield Library offers a range of tutorials and workshops to help you develop your research skills. These sessions cover topics such as information literacy, citation management, and database searching, and are designed to help you become a more effective and efficient researcher.

Staying Organized and Managing Your Time

When conducting research, it is essential to stay organized and manage your time effectively. The Broomfield Library offers a range of tools and resources to help you do this, including study rooms and computers with productivity software. You can also use the library’s online calendar to schedule appointments with reference librarians or book study rooms.

Tip 5: Use the Library’s Study Rooms

The Broomfield Library’s study rooms are an excellent place to work on your research projects. These rooms are equipped with whiteboards and computers, and offer a quiet and comfortable space to focus on your work.

Tip 6: Take Advantage of the Library’s Computers and Software

The Broomfield Library’s computers are equipped with a range of productivity software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. You can use these computers to work on your research projects, and also access the library’s printers and scanners to print and scan your documents.

Additional Tips for Better Research

In addition to the tips and strategies outlined above, there are several other things you can do to improve your research skills and make the most out of your visit to the Broomfield Library. These include evaluating your sources, using citation management tools, and seeking help when you need it.

Tip 7: Evaluate Your Sources

When conducting research, it is essential to evaluate your sources to ensure that they are reliable and credible. You can use a range of criteria to evaluate your sources, including authorship, publication date, and peer-review.

Tip 8: Use Citation Management Tools

Citation management tools, such as EndNote or Zotero, can help you to organize your sources and format your citations. These tools are available on the Broomfield Library’s computers, and can also be accessed online through the library’s website.

Tip 9: Seek Help When You Need It

The Broomfield Library’s reference librarians are available to provide guidance and support whenever you need it. You can ask for help in person, by phone, or by email, and can also use the library’s online chat service to get instant help.

Tip 10: Stay Up-to-Date with the Library’s Events and Services

The Broomfield Library offers a range of events and services to support the research needs of its community. You can check the library’s website to stay up-to-date with the latest news and events, and can also follow the library on social media to get the latest updates and announcements.