Why the library?
Libraries can be incredibly complex, especially at a distance. And that's bad, because there are a wide range of reliable, college-level resources available that can help make it easier to do your coursework.
Never hesitate to ask for assistance when you're unsure how to get started using the library. When you get comfortable with the Collin Library, you'll save valuable time and increase the quality of your work.
Research help
While Wikipedia can help you get started when you know nothing about a topic, it's a general encyclopedia, not a college-level source. Although you can find almost anything with Google, why spend two hours paging through hundreds of results that have nothing to do with your subject?
The Collin Library provides electronic resources that give you 24-hour anywhere access to: articles from popular magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals; digital reproductions of artworks, streaming music and play performances; electronic books. You can login to CougarWeb and choose the library tab to see a full range of library services.
When you're off-campus, or going through Blackboard, you'll see a password screen when you click on a database link. Login again with your CougarWeb username and password, and you can begin your research.
Resources
The catalog lists books, videos, DVDs, and CDs on the library shelves
A direct link to Collin Library electronic resources
The Collin Library has several collections of EBooks including thousands of titles
These Flash tutorials show you how to begin searching some of the library's electronic resources
Contact the Online Student Support Center for help with Blackboard