Navigating Knowledge: A Guide to Tulane University Library Resources and Services

Tulane University Libraries stand as a cornerstone of academic and research pursuits, supporting students, faculty, and researchers alike. Recognizing the evolving needs of its community, the libraries are committed to providing a connected, creative, and empowering environment. This article delves into the diverse resources and services offered by Tulane University Libraries, highlighting their role in fostering exploration, creation, and academic success.

A Vision for the Future: The Kaleidoscope Initiative

Under the leadership of the Dean of Libraries, Tulane University Libraries are undergoing a transformative period guided by the "Kaleidoscope vision." This initiative aims to build a more interconnected and resourceful library system that mirrors the brilliance of the Tulane community. The focus is on expanding services, enhancing physical spaces, and increasing digital accessibility.

Premier Information Hub: Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences

The Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences serves as the primary information and knowledge management resource for the Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center. It offers a wide range of services tailored to the specific needs of health sciences researchers and students.

Personalized Research Assistance

The Rudolph Matas Library provides personalized assistance for research support and information discovery. This includes guidance on:

Database selection
Search strategy recommendations
Verification of citations
Location of current and historic information in all formats
Citation management suggestions

Streamlining Research: The Systematic Review Service

Recognizing the importance of rigorous research methodologies, Tulane University Libraries offer a Systematic Review Service. This program supports researchers in conducting high-quality systematic reviews, ensuring the reliability and validity of their findings.

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Expanding Access: Interlibrary Loan

To further enhance access to information, the libraries provide a free Interlibrary Loan service. This service allows users to request articles, book chapters, and books from a nationwide network of health sciences libraries. The service is available to the downtown campus and Tulane National Primate Research Center. Articles are typically supplied electronically (PDF) within several business days, while books may take longer due to shipping. Materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan must be returned to the Matas Library by the due date.

Exploring the Digital Landscape: Library Databases

Tulane University Libraries offer a vast collection of databases that provide access to a wealth of scholarly resources. These databases encompass academic journals, newspapers, eBook platforms, image collections, data sets, and digitized primary sources.

Subject-Specific Databases

Subject- or discipline-focused databases are essential tools for researchers seeking the most relevant literature in their fields. These databases index and organize research materials within specific disciplines, making it easier for users to find pertinent information. Some notable examples include:

SciFinder-n: Used by chemists and chemical engineers.
PsychInfo: Used by psychologists and those in fields related to human behavior.
MLA Bibliography: Used by those interested in scholarly literature about literature.
Medline or PubMed: Used by those in health professions.
Web of Science: Tracks citations across disciplines and internationally.

Article Databases

Article databases serve as comprehensive repositories of articles from various journals and newspapers. These databases allow users to search for articles by keyword or topic and often offer the ability to refine searches based on criteria such as peer-review status. Examples of broad article databases include Academic Search Complete and Nexis Uni. Other databases, such as Arts & Humanities Database, General Science Full Text, and SocINDEX Full Text, focus on articles from publications in related disciplines.

Digital Archival Collections

Over the past decade, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library has significantly expanded its collection of licensed digital archival collections. These collections can be vast, often containing the equivalent of an entire physical archive. These collections include Congressional Hearings, the Digital National Security Archive, the Gerritsen Collection--Women’s History Online 1543-1945, the Black Studies Center including Schomberg Studies on the Black Experience, and a group of collections individually acquired but representing nearly all books published in the United States during the 17th through 19th centuries and Britain during most of the 15th through 18th centuries. Recent acquisitions have included British Foreign Office Files from the Middle East and several large collections related to gender and sexuality such as Archives of Sexuality and Gender, LGBT Thought & Culture, and Sex & Sexuality: Research Collections from The Kinsey Institute.

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Physical Spaces: A Network of Libraries

Tulane University Libraries encompass twelve libraries spread across campus. These libraries and special collections attract researchers from around the world, fostering a vibrant intellectual community.

Technology Integration: Access and Connectivity

Technology plays a crucial role in academics and research at Tulane. Students can access the university's wireless network from anywhere on campus. Numerous workstations provide access to desktop computers for completing assignments and conducting research.

Academic Advising: Guiding Students to Success

To help students navigate their academic journey, Tulane offers professional advising through College Advising. From their first day, students are paired with advisors who help them choose the best courses and stay on track toward their career aspirations.

Enriching the Academic Experience: Arts, Culture, and Research Centers

Tulane University offers a wide range of arts, culture, and research centers that further enrich the academic experience and provide opportunities for exploration and discovery.

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