[Steppes] Research Question

[Diane Rudin]

--- Stosh Gypsy <stoshgypsy at comcast.net> wrote:

> So, here is my question:  Which of the local libraries within my immediate
> reach (Dallas, Richardson, Carrollton, Plano, Denton, Lewisville) would give
> me better research opportunities?

That depends on what level of information you're trying to find.  Not to put
too fine a point on it, but public libraries have a lousy selection for
in-depth researchers, with the exception of the geneology room in the downtown
Dallas public library.  Some libraries do have excellent Interlibrary Loan
policies; I'm told Plano is very good about it.  But deep research is not part
of the misson of a public library.  The mission of a public library is to serve
the general public, and the general public doesn't have a need for in-depth
academic research.
 
> I don't know about accessing any of the University Libraries in the area, as
> far as not being a student or having any affiliation, is concerned..

Most university libraries have as their mission carrying books for in-depth
researchers.  Some of them restrict the access to the library/ies to only their
students and faculty, and some restrict the hours during which the public has
access.  No university library extends borrowing privileges to those who are
not employed by or enrolled in the university.  (Unless you're a degreed
academic, in which case you can pay some of them a lot of money and get
borrowing privileges.)  

--UTD (University of Texas at Dallas, which is in Richardson) has lots of old
(back to the 16th century) printed documents on microfilm; you have to pay to
print pages from them.  Their academic reputation is for mathematics and
sciences, especially tech, but they have some interesting and unusual things
buried in the microfilm cans that have nothing to do with math, science, or
tech.

--SMU (Southern Methodist University, on Mockingbird Lane west of US75/North
Central Expressway) has hours restrictions on public access; basically,
evenings are for students and faculty only.  Also, at certain times of the year
(finals week), they restrict access at some (possibly all) of their libraries
to students and faculty only.  (The Underwood Law Library also extends
student/faculty access privileges to members of the American Bar Association.) 
It is a private university whose reputation extends into many areas, including
and especially law, religious studies (mainly Christian), and fine arts.

--Southwest Texas Medical Center library is excellent for researching medical
history, but also has public-access-restricted hours.

--UNT (University of North Texas, formerly North Texas State University) is
most well-known for music research.  Its policies are much the same as the
other public universities (UTD, UTA).

--UTA (University of Texas at Arlington) Main Library has hours restrictions as
well, restricting after-midnight access to students and faculty only.  The Fine
Arts Library and other auxiliary libraries have more restrictive hours (i.e.,
they don't stay open as late), but don't restrict access to students only.

In my experience, there is no restriction on computer usage (read:  accessing
online university-only research databases) at any of these universities, except
that they ask you to be reasonable about time spent, and that you not play
videogames or download music & movies...in other words, act like a serious
researcher, and they're happy to help you.  I know from my experiences as a
student at UTA that printing from the computers is free (again, don't abuse the
privilege), and that there are several photocopy machines in the library, cost
10 cents per 8 1/2 x 11 page.  

Reference librarians are the underused research tool in a library.  They love
to help.  It's a good idea, however, to have a focused question ("How do I find
out more about the everyday lives of Englishwomen in the 16th century?")
instead of a general one ("What were women's lives like before mine?").

Good luck, and have fun!  Research is the most fascinating and fun quest of
all!

--Serena Lascelles, Magistra Laureae

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