Trout Library Blog

SIRS Issues Researcher Database

09/27/2021

Bill Fanshel

If you are looking for topic ideas or general information about a subject in order to begin your research, the SIRS Issues Researcher database is a good one to use. Learn about the contents of this database and how to search it.

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EBSCO Databases

09/13/2021

Bill Fanshel

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We are reaching the point in the semester where you might be starting to think about research projects. The Trout Library is here to help you with that! Learn about our useful EBSCO databases.

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9/11 20th Anniversary

09/05/2021

Bill Fanshel

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This week marks the 20th anniversary of a monumental event in American history: the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001. Read to learn about our book display and other resources that Trout Library has to offer on this topic.

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Subjects

Medical Coding

Behavioral Health Science

Information Literacy

Autism

Climate Change

News, Politics & Current Events

Recent Posts

Library vs Google/ChatGPT

Why Use the Library’s Website When You Have Google and ChatGPT?It’s a common question. When answers are just a search bar away, why bother with the library’s website? The truth is, each tool has its strengths. Understanding how and when to use them can save you time, boost the quality of your research, and impress your instructors.Google and ChatGPT: Fast, Broad, and ConvenientSearch engines like Google are great for getting a quick overview of a topic, looking up definitions, or finding images. AI tools like ChatGPT can summarize information and help you brainstorm ideas or organize your thoughts. They're fast and easy, but they also come with a few limitations. The sources aren’t always clear, the quality varies, and you may encounter misinformation or content that hasn’t been peer-reviewed. Let's be honest, AI tools often just make up answers, a known problem called “hallucination”. That's why anything you find on Google or ChatGPT should be carefully evaluated for accuracy. Read our LibGuide on how to evaluate sources for more information or a quick refresher. The Library’s Website: A Curated Path to Reliable KnowledgeYour library’s website isn’t just a list of books. It’s a portal to high-quality academic resources, peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks, databases, and specialized tools your instructors actually want you to use. Many of these are behind paywalls, but Harcum College provides access at no cost to you. Google and ChatGPT cannot access information that is behind paywalls. This means that the information you have access to through your library is not available to through Google and ChatGPT. Plus, library resources come with built-in credibility. When you're writing a paper or preparing a presentation, being able to cite trustworthy, scholarly sources gives your work the weight it needs.Why Not Use Both?Savvy researchers blend both worlds. You might start with Google or ChatGPT to get your bearings, then turn to the library’s site to dig deeper. Need Help Getting Started?Librarians are here to help! Whether you're not sure which database to use, how to cite your sources, or just want help refining your topic, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love questions, especially yours! Roxanne Sutton Reference and Special Collections Librarian 610-526-6022 rsutton@harcum.edu ...

Alumni Magazines

.patches-img {border: 1px solid #bbb; border-radius: 6px; max-width: 100%; height: auto;} We’re excited to announce that Harcum College’s alumni magazine collection has been fully digitized and is now available online through our digital archive — free and accessible 24/7.Spanning over 70 years, this collection traces the evolution of our alumni publications: from The Alumnae Bulletin (1950–1959), to The Harcum Junior College Bulletin (1969–1974), and Patches (1974–2024). Each issue captures a vivid snapshot of life at Harcum— stories of students, faculty, alumni, and the many milestones that have shaped our community.Whether you’re an alum seeking a familiar name or a researcher exploring the College’s legacy, this digitized collection offers a powerful lens into Harcum’s past. While a few gaps in the collection remain, it's unclear whether these resulted from paused publication or lost issues.We invite you to explore this resource and reconnect with decades of shared history. Visit our digital archive to browse the full collection. A snapshot showcasing some of the past Patches issues in our digital archive. Roxanne Sutton Reference and Special Collections Librarian 610-526-6022 rsutton@harcum.edu ...

The Bryn Mawr Substation

Eagle-eyed observers around campus may have noticed recent construction activity at the Bryn Mawr Substation. This work, undertaken by Amtrak, is more than just a facelift; it's part of a significant three-year project to upgrade the train line stretching from the Philadelphia Zoo to Paoli. Interestingly, this isn't the first major transformation for the Bryn Mawr Substation, a structure which has been a backdrop to our community, intertwined with the story of Harcum College.Built in 1915, the same year Harcum College first opened its doors in Melville Hall, the Bryn Mawr Substation stands as a silent witness to the college's growth. Constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of the electrification of their line, the substation's early construction would have coincided with Harcum's initial upgrades to Melville Hall, marking the beginning of a shared history within the Bryn Mawr landscape.While the Bryn Mawr Substation has become an unassuming part of the local scenery, the Harcum College Archive Collection offers glimpses into its past. The few photographs featuring the substation often capture it in the background.The earliest visual record of the substation in the Harcum College Archive appears in a photograph of Bedford Hall. Although undated, we know this image cannot predate 1947, the year Harcum acquired the building. Even in the background of this image, the Bryn Mawr Substation is visible, its structure remarkably similar to its present-day form, offering a tangible link between the college's mid-20th century and today. Decades later, in 1974, the Bryn Mawr Substation made another appearance in Harcum's history, captured in two photographs within The Harlequin, the college yearbook. These images, documenting the dedication of Harcum's new tennis courts, feature the substation in the distance. Local sportscaster Joe Pellegrino joined students for a game, watched by two hundred members of the Harcum community. The steadfast presence of the substation in the backdrop underscores its enduring place within the college's physical environment.The Bryn Mawr Substation forms the backdrop to a tennis match, The Harlequin, 1974.Two hundred members of the College community watched a tennis match on the new courts. The Bryn Mawr Substation is visible in the background, The Harlequin, 1974.Local sportscaster, Joe Pellegrino stands among Harcum College tennis players at the opening ceremony of the new tennis courts, The Harlequin, 1974Though the familiar presence of the Bryn Mawr Substation will be missed, its legacy remains embedded in the visual and historical fabric of the campus. The arrival of the new substation signals progress, a continuation of the ever-evolving relationship between the college and the infrastructure surrounding it. Just as Harcum has grown and changed over the years, so too will this space, shaping the future while carrying echoes of the past. Roxanne Sutton Reference and Special Collections Librarian 610-526-6022 rsutton@harcum.edu ...

Unveiling Harcum’s Hidden History through Advertisements

Imagine stumbling across a century-old advertisement that sheds light on the remarkable women who shaped Harcum College. This thrilling discovery recently unfolded at the Charles H. Trout Library, where the archives gained three original advertisements. ...