E2 Assignment Help Page

Need help? Can’t remember what we talked about at the library? Look below!

Step 1: Background Info

Use a reliable source like an encyclopedia to get basic info about your topic (Things like important dates, alternative spellings, other terms to search…)
Grolier Encyclopedia (student encyclopedia)
Encyclopedia Americana (a more in-depth encyclopedia, not restricted to North American topics)

Step 2: The Library Catalog

Go to the Portage District Library Catalog and search for your topic. Try different word combinations with an “and” between the words. Try typing your topic in the “General” and the “Subject” boxes. Also, try broader terms if you aren’t finding anything on your topic. Books often contain information that may not show up in the catalog record.

HINT: Don’t forget the library’s Reference Collection! This collection is a group of valuable books that can only be used in the library (they may not be checked out). CLICK HERE to browse a list of helpful reference books.

Step 3: The Library’s Online Resources

Below are a few of our subject-specific online resources. For a full list, CLICK HERE.

Health and Wellness Resource Center — Information about illnesses, health, and nutrition, including information on alternative medicine and research

New Book of Popular Science — An online reference book set on scientific topics and people

SIRS Renaissance — Focuses on the arts, architecture, multimedia, and cultural topics.

Newsbank — Newspapers online, including the Kalamazoo Gazette

Gale Virtual Reference Library — This is like having an entire reference collection at your home! Do not use this if you don’t have a good idea about what information you want. It’s a huge collection, but worth a search if you are having problems finding information.