Current Issues

Current Issues: Getting Started

Visit the Media Center's research process page for more tools such as a web evaluation form and information about creating your bibliography.

BOOKS

Use iPAC, the online library catalog, to search for materials.
Some of the books are in the Reference collection, which circulate for 3 nights
Some are in the General Non-Fiction area, which circulate for 2 weeks

Search Tips:

1) Start with a General Keyword search and use a * (press Shift + 8) to truncate your search and find variant endings
Example: type teen* drinking and you search for
teens
teenage
teenagers

2) Specify that you do not want a Fiction book as seen in the below example:

3) Spell Correctly!

Dafur yields NO results
Darfur yields 7 results

Interlibrary Loan:
If we don’t have something on your topic, we’ll help you search and borrow materials from other District 211 school libraries and other libraries in Illinois. Contact a librarian for assistance.

DATABASES

Databases offer access to articles that are not freely available on the Internet. Use databases to find current and historical magazine and newspaper articles. Access databases on campus via the Media Center website.

To access these databases at home you’ll need to enter your last name (IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS) and your student ID number.

MAGAZINES

In addition to the magazines available online in the database collection, the library subscribes to magazines such as Congressional Digest: Pro & Con, Time, Newsweek, The Atlantic Monthly, U. S. News and World Reports, National Review and Mother Jones. Ask at the Circulation Desk for a complete listing of available magazines.

NEWSPAPERS

In addition to newspapers available in the database collection, the library subscribes to the following newspapers.
The Chicago Sun Times
The Chicago Tribune
The Daily Herald
The Palatine Countryside
USA Today
The New York Times
We only receive papers on days when school is in session.