Introduction

Library of Congress Classification

Materials in Reference Collection

Indexes and Databases

Internet Resources

Citing Sources

Introduction

Computer science involves both the theoretical knowledge of technology and the practical knowledge of the infrastructure of technology, including programming; database, network, and system management; and user support services.

Library Of Congress Classification

Library materials are organized by a system created by the Library of Congress that groups materials based on what they are about. This LC system uses letters and numbers to determine the call number of a book, which serves as that book’s address within the collection. The advantage of this system is that books about the same subject, such as computer software, should be in the same area. Find a good book on your subject and you should be able to find others in the same area.

The Library of Congress system places all books on computer science in class QA for mathematics. This class is further broken down into subclasses that define more specific subjects. Some important subclasses are listed below. Click here for a more complete look at the Library of Congress Class Q.

A good way to search for books on specific topics is to use the Online Catalog. One can search by title, author, subject and keyword to find books owned by the library. A good research strategy is called subject heading tracing. This strategy involves first doing a keyword search to find books relevant to a topic. Once a ‘good’ book is found, look at its subject headings. Then do a subject search and type in that subject heading. You should find other books on your topic this way.

Materials In Reference Collection

The library’s reference collection contains materials that are quite useful to students in computer science, including dictionaries, encyclopedias and other sources. These reference items include:

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
(Ref Q121 M3 1997)

Encyclopedia of Computer Science
(Ref QA76.15 E48 1993)

Computer Glossary
(Ref. QA 76.15 F734 1991)

Linda Hall Science and Technology Library

This privately-funded research library is known worldwide as one of the best independent libraries with collections in science, engineering and technology. Most of the collection is made up of current journals and research monographs which cannot be checked out.

However, some of the general book collection can be checked out through a special checkout agreement between Linda Hall Library and the Greenlease Library. The student must be in good standing with the Rockhurst Library and have no outstanding materials or fines from the Rockhurst Library. The Linda Hall Library librarians will determine on an individual basis the checkout period for each item, generally this is one week. For information about a card please speak with a librarian Monday through Friday at the Rockhurst University Greenlease Library.

LEONARDO is the name of the computer catalog containing the holdings of the Linda Hall Library, as well as the Spencer Art Library of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Fine Arts. LEONARDO can be accessed at http://leonardo.lindahall.org/.

Indexes And Databases

Indexes and databases are tools used to find journal articles about a particular topic. Some are used primarily for academic research, while others can be used to find popular articles to practice one’s reading skills. Some are available only in print, while others will be electronic and may even contain the full-text of the article. See our Electronic Resources page for a complete list of electronic indexes and databases.

Applied Science and Technology Full Text
International and English-language periodicals, covering industries, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, technology and much more. Includes articles, interviews, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, new product reviews/announcements, and more. From 1983 - present.

Connect to Applied Science & Technology Full Text via WilsonWeb

Computer Literature Index
(INDEX AREA Ref QA 76 C6 ), CDROM
This index covers computer-related trade publications, general business and management journals, and computer and management-oriented professional societies and organization publications. It is available both in print, on CD/ROM at the Information Desk on the main floor of the library and online from campus computers only.

General Science Index
(INDEX AREA Ref AI3 C4 S3)
This index is a cumulative index to general science periodicals in the English language. Online version is General Science Abstracts.

Connect to General Science Abstracts via WilsonWeb

FirstSearch
FirstSearch is actually a cluster of almost 40 databases and requires a training session to access. But the training session is well worth it! Some of the databases useful to researchers of computer sciences include:

Business and Industry
Business Dateline
Disclosure
Econlit
WorldCat

MathSciNet
MathSciNet is the searchable Web database providing access to the journals Mathematical Reviews and Current Mathematical Publications (from 1940 to the present). These journals provide reviews of the mathematical literature.

Connect now to MathSciNet

EBSCOhost
This is a online service that includes several databases that offer full text articles from scholarly and popular periodicals in the social sciences, humanities, general science and more.

Connect now to EBSCOhost

Internet Resources

For those with internet access, the web is a great way to find resources. From online dictionaries and magazines to recipes and music, the web has it.

Cite Seer
http://citeseer.csail.mit.edu
This site acts as both an index to scientific literature and a digital library of this literature. The goal is to ease dissemination of information among scientists of all fields. Computer science literature is included on this site.

Science Search Engines via Search Engine Watch
http://searchenginewatch.com/links/science.html
Links to search engines specializing in science topics, including computer science.

Librarians' Index to the Internet "Computer Topics" page
http://lii.org/search/file/computers
Links to hundreds of websites selected and evaluated by librarians. Each entry also includes a description of the linked websites. One of the best gateways to computer internet sites all of types.

Citing Sources

For information on citing resources in a research paper, see Citing Print and Electronic Resources in Research Papers.