Q. I need to find articles for my paper, but my professor said we can't use the Internet. That means I can't use the databases, right?

This is a question we frequently hear from students, so we appreciate having the opportunity to clarify things a bit.  Although articles from the Internet and from the library's databases are online, they are not the same.

When you do a general Internet search for articles, you have to make sure that your results are from reliable, authoritative resources.  Sometimes that can be trickier than it seems and certainly can take longer than searching the library's databases.  When you search the databases, you have access to thousands of online magazines, journals, and newspapers that already have been vetted.  You know they are reliable and that you can count on the information you find.  You even can limit your search to scholarly publications.  And, the databases include citations in a variety of formats, including MLA and APA. 

If you need additional help, stop by the reference desk on either campus or call one of the phone numbers below to speak to a reference librarian.

847-635-1644 - Des Plaines Campus
847-635-1474 - Skokie / Ray Hartstein Campus