This Scrapbook is an incomplete overview of resources that Political Scientists may find useful. There is a vast array of resources available in the Alexander Library, the campus network, campus data centers and the internet--far too many to list or for even one person to know. Moreover, the universe of resources is forever undergoing change. Items that are currently listed will change or be deleted; new items will emerge. Undoubtedly, there will always be something in the scrapbook that is incorrect and needs to be updated; this scrapbook is in hypertext format so that additions and changes can easily be made. If you have a correction or addition, please notify Miles Yoshimura (phone: x7862; email: yoshimur@rci.rutgers.edu or campus mail: Alexander Library/College Avenue Campus; email is the easiest way to contact him).
Whether this scrapbook continues greatly depends upon the continuing contributions from the faculty and students in the Department of Political Science. If you find a resource that has helped or interests you, please send a note to Miles Yoshimura. Without your contributions, this scrapbook will die aborning.
A. Alxander Library/Rutgers University Libraries
The Alexander Library is the research library (supporting graduate level and faculty research) for Political Science, and it is one of many libraries in the Rutgers University Libraries system. Besides libraries in New Brunswick and Piscataway, there are Rutgers Libraries on the Newark (Dana Library) and Camden (Robeson Library) campuses, as well. Of particular interest to Political Scientists are the Douglass Library on the Douglass Campus, which holds the Women Studies collection, and Kilmer Library, which holds the African-American/Ethnic Studies collection. All of the Rutgers Libraries are linked through the online catalog, IRIS. IRIS includes holdings from all of the Rutgers Libraries, and materials can be brought from one library to another through Materials Delivery Service (see "K. Materials Delivery Service" under "IV. Alexander Library"). Another branch library that may interest Political Scientists is the Institute of Management and Labor Relations Labor (IMLR) Library on the Cook Campus.
The Political Science collection in the Alexander Library is on Floor 2B; Political Science books have call numbers that begin with "J" (i.e. J, JA, JC, etc.). The journals are on Floor B, and they are arranged in alphabetical order: both in the Current Periodicals Room and the journal stacks. Government Publications are located on Floor 1. The current serial government publications are arranged in alphabetical order on Floor 1. The bound serial government publications may either be in call number or alphabetical order on Floor 1; see a reference librarian, if you have any questions.
To obtain a library card, you must present your Rutgers University ID card to the circulation counter of any Rutgers University Library.
B. People to Contact
Miles Yoshimura is the Political Science Bibliographer at the Alexander Library. Feel free to contact him with your questions, concerns, suggestions and book and serial recommendations. His phone number is x7862; campus address is Alexander Library, College Avenue Campus; and email address is yoshimur@rci.rutgers.edu;. He is easiest to contact via email.
While Miles Yoshimura is the Political Science Bibliographer, any of the reference librarians at the Reference Desk can answer the vast majority of your questions. Feel free to ask questions of the reference librarians at the Alexander Library Reference Desk.
There will be times when you may need special assistance with Government Publications, which includes federal, state, United Nations and international organizations publications. The Government Publications librarian is Mary Fetzer; she can be contacted at 2-7372 or fetzer@rci.rutgers.edu. However, it would be best to first try to have your questions answered by a reference librarian at the Reference Desk; they will be able to answer your questions.
Ron Jantz (rjantz@rci.rutgers.edu) is the Data Librarian for the Rutgers University Libraries. The Social Science Data Center is located in the Scholarly Communication Center (SCC) on the 4th floor of the Alexander Library (new wing).
C. IRIS/Card Catalog
IRIS is the online public catalog for the entire Rutgers Libraries system. It is complete beginning with 1973. For books published before 1973, it would be best to check the card catalog in the Alexander Library. Books and serials are in IRIS. IRIS contains the most up-to-date listing of serials currently being received by the Rutgers Libraries; do a title search, using the title of the serial.
Importantly, the government publications in the Alexander Library are not in IRIS. Some of the other libraries in the Rutgers Libraries system have their government publications in IRIS, leading some to mistakenly assume that the Alexander Library does not have the government publication they want. The most complete listing of the government publications in the Alexander Library is the Government Publications Card Catalog. Government publications that are serials cannot be found in IRIS either. If you have any questions about a government publications, see a reference librarian.
There are selected terminals in each of the Rutgers Libraries that will allow you to access Innopac, which allows you to see if a book has been ordered.
D. Guides
E. Political Science Journals in the Alexander Library
F. Location of Journals in the Alexander Library
The journals are located on Level B of the Alexander Library. The current year of
journals is in Current Periodicals, and the bound volumes are in the stacks of Level B.
The journals in both locations will be in alphabetical order. Journals of governmental and
international organizations will be located in Government Publications (for example,
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Economic Indicators, Dispatch or UN
Chronicle). Government Publications has a separate Current Periodicals Section on the
Level 1. Some of the serial government publications will be in call number order and some
will be in alphabetical order. Check with a reference librarian, if you have problems.
IRIS contains the most
complete and up-to-date listing of Economics and related journals received the Rutgers
University Libraries system. To see if the Alexander Library or another Rutgers University
Library has a journal, do a Periodical Title search in IRIS. If another New Brunswick or Piscataway
campus library has a journal, you may use RDS or Rutgers Delivery Service; the Rutgers
Libraries will make a photocopy of the article and send it to the library of your choice.
If the journal is held by a Newark or Camden campus library, you will
receive the journal article for free. When viewing the record for the journal in IRIS, there
is a Request Item icon at the top of the screen. Click on that and fill-in the requested information.
G. Finding Periodicals in IRIS
You can find out which periodicals are held in the Rutgers Libraries system and which Rutgers library holds them by doing a title search in IRIS. IRIS contains the most up-to-date list of periodicals held by Rutgers Libraries. In the box, type the name of the periodical and then click Periodical Title.
H. removed
Social Science Data Center (Rutgers University)
The Social Science Data Center is located in the Scholarly Communication Center (4th floor) of the Alexander Library. Ron Jantz (rjantz@rci.rutgers.edu) is the Data Librarian. For data holdings and services of the Social Science Data Center, please connect to the Social Science Data Center Home Page listed above.
J. Government Publications
Search Engine for Data in the Alexander Library
(includes federal government data CD-ROMS, databases of international organ izations and commercially produced databases)Government Publications includes publications from federal and state sources, foreign governments, the United Nations and international organizations. Each of the above has its own discrete section.
Importantly, the government publications in the Alexander Library are not in IRIS--with the exception of recent New Jersey state government documents. Some of the other libraries in the Rutgers Libraries system have their government publications in IRIS, leading some to mistakenly assume that the Alexander Library does not have the government publication they want. The most complete listing of the government publications in the Alexander Library is the Government Publications Card Catalog. Government publications that are serials cannot be found in IRIS either. New Jersey state government documents published since the mid-1980s are in IRIS; for recent New Jersey state government documents, IRIS is the primary means of access. The Alexander Library and the Library of Science and Medicine selects 97% of the federal documents given to depository libraries; the Library of Science and Medicine holds science, medical, agriculture and environment related documents. In addition to strong federal and New Jersey state government document collections, the Alexander Library also has strong document collections for the United Nations and international organizations. Again, it is important to keep in mind that only New Jersey state government documents are in IRIS. A guide to the various indexes and reference tools or lack of indexes and reference tools for government publications would be too lengthy and involved to list here. Nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind the existence and of government publications. Please consult the reference librarians at the Alexander Library for assistance.
There will be times when you may need special assistance with Government Publications, which includes federal, state, United Nations and international organizations publications. The Government Publications librarian is Mary Fetzer; she can be contacted at 932-7372 or email fetzer@rci.rutgers.edu. However, it would be best to first try to have your questions answered by a reference librarian at the Reference Desk; they will be able to answer your questions.
For a list of Government Publications available through CD-ROM, see the list in the document, Federal Government CD-ROMs at the Alexander Library. In using the Government Publications CD-ROMs, there is a user-friendly "easy-menu" option, which is menu-driven and allows downloading of records. Ron Jantz (jantz@rci.rutgers.edu) is the Data Librarian of the Rutgers University Libraries. Ron handles the government databases on cd-rom and other machine-readable formats.
Below is a list of the more heavily used indexes for government publications. There are other indexes; please consult a reference librarian, if your needs are not met by one these indexes.
1. Indexes to Federal Documents
Monthly Catalog (1904- ).
US GP3.8 Alex DocRef
CD-ROM Alex DocRef
GPO
Major index for U.S. government publications. Indexes by subject headings and by author or
corporate author. CD-ROM and INFO version begins with 1976. Extremely useful when you have
an exact title of a document and are looking for its SuDocs number. Can be searched by
keyword. When a helpful or interesting record is found, look at its subject headings and
search those. The records of the campus network version has the SuDocs number at the very
bottom of the record, which may be the second or third screen of the record.
American Foreign Policy Index (1993- ).
Index Tables Alex DocRef
AFPI compiles government documents (from all departments and agencies) that have
something to do with foreign policy. It is shelved next to the CIS indexes (see below),
which are arranged on index tables in the middle of DocRef. The microfiche set is located
in the bottom shelf of the cabinet nearest the AFPI index tables. The format of the
AFPI is identical to the CIS indexes; there are subject index issues, and there are
corresponding issues with the abstracts. The earliest issue of AFPI (January, 1993)
in DocRef covers government publications dating back to 1992, primarily towards the end of
1992. The abstract volume/binder must be consulted in order to find the "SuDocs
number," which is how U.S. government publications are shelved and is the "call
number" to be used for paging. The filled-in black dot in front of the "item
number" indicates that the item is a depository item, and the item will be shelved in
the stacks or the microfiche cabinets by SuDocs number. If there is no filled-in black
dot, the item is non-depository and can be found in the red microfiche cabinets (not the
Government Publications microfiche cabinets) near the Government Publications CD-ROMs by
the index tables. The microfiche documents are full text; the microfiche are arranged by
year and then by the abstract number (i.e. 4040-12).
CIS/Index to Publications of the United States Congress (1970- ).
Index Tables Alex DocRef
Indexes all Congressional publications (i.e. House and Senate reports, documents, hearings
and committee prints) by subject, personal name, witnesses, interest groups and agency.
Begin with the Index volume, which will give you an abstract number. Look for the abstract
number in the Abstract volume. Abstract section analyzes the contents of the documents,
giving page numbers for pertinent sections. In the abstract, look for the SuDocs number
(Superintendent of Documents number); oftentimes, there will be a tiny "o"
before the SuDocs number, which will many times begin with "Y.4". The government
publications are shelved according to SuDocs number either in the Government Publications
stacks (which are on the 1st Floor and will have to be paged) or microfiche cabinets
(which are on the 1st Floor). Many of the citations for items other than hearings in the
index are for the Serial Set, which may not have a SuDocs number listed. Finding a
document in the Serial Set can be very confusing; see a Reference Librarian for help in
finding the appropriate Serial Set volume. The CIS/Index has annual and multi-year
cumulative indexes.
Statistical Abstract of the United States (1894- ).
C3.134 Alex Ref (latest edition is located at Ref Desk).
HA202 Alex Ref (latest edition located in Alex Ref).
C3.134 Alex USDocRef (1971-next to latest edition).
C3.134 Alex USDocStks (1894-1970).
Internet Version: 1995-1997 (requires Adobe Acrobat)
Convenient and easy to use statistical compilation of statistics gathered by the federal
government. Subject index is at the back; numbers in subject index indicate table numbers,
not page numbers. Subject index for earlier years does list page numbers rather than table
numbers. For a range of years, check multiple years. If more detailed statistics are
required, check and find the source of the statistic, which is listed at the bottom of the
table, or use the American Statistics Index.
Historical Abstracts of the U.S.: Colonial Times to 1970 (vol. 1-2)..
C3.134/2:H62 Alex Ref (located at Ref Desk).
Provides statistics for varying ranges of years. Numbers in the subject index at the back
refer to page numbers. Introductory essays to various categories of statistics can be
helpful for further statistics; in addition, check source of statistics, if further
statistics are needed.
American Statistics Index (ASI) (1974- ). Index Tables Alex DocRef Major index for statistics found in U.S. government publications. Index has subject, geographic area and category sections. Check the index volume and then check the cited number in the abstract volume. The abstract will give detailed information as to what is being referred to in the index volume. Most of the cited government publications are held by the Library; beginning with 1980, check to see if the item is in the nearby microfiche cabinet; the microfiche are arranged by year and then by the abstract number. If it is not held in microfiche, most often the Library will hold the government publication in another format or place: paper copy or a different microfiche set in a different microforms cabinet. Updated monthly with an annual cumulation.
Index to International Statistics (IIS) (1983- )..
Index Tables Alex DocRef.
Provides access to statistics in English language publications of international
intergovernmental organizations. Format is the same as for ASI and SRI. Check to see if
the Library has the publication. Updated monthly with an annual cumulation.
Statistical Reference Index (SRI) (1980- ).
Index Tables Alex DocRef.
Indexes statistics published by sources other than the federal government, such as
publications from trade, professional and other nonprofit associations and institutions;
business organizations; commercial publishers; independent research centers; state
government agencies and university research centers. SRI covers business, industry,
finance, economic and social conditions, government and politics, the environment and
population. Includes data on foreign countries. Format is the same as ASI and IIS.
A majority of the publications abstracted are included in the SRI microfiche set
located in the nearby microforms cabinet. Not everything in SRI is in the
microfiche set; if the item is not in microfiche, check to see if the periodical or
monograph abstracted is held by the Library. Updated monthly with an annual cumulation.
3. United Nations Documents Index
UN Index (1990- ).
CD-ROM Alex DocRef.
Index for UN publications. User-friendly database that will give you microfiche numbers.
The microfiche numbers are for a microfiche set that accompanies the index. The Alexander
Library does not have the entire microfiche set.
K. Current Awareness Services
UnCover.
IngentaConnect
RUL Web Site (1988- )
IngentaConnect reproduces the
table of contents page (excluding book reviews) of over 20,000 journals and popular
magazines. Search by journal title: i.e. "//t american political science review".
Type "e" to examine and then select the issue for which you would like to see
the table of contents. The database can also be searched by author ("//n
whomever") or keyword ("//w whatever"); word order in a search does not
matter. However, the records in the database do not have subject headings. Consequently,
strictly speaking, a subject search is not possible: only a "word(s)" search
(which searches, simultaneously, the entire record, including the titles of the articles
and the titles of the journals in the database) is possible. When "word(s)"
searching in lieu of subject searching, it is important to use as many synonyms and
combinations of similar words as possible. Updated daily.
L. Microform Collections
At the Reference Desk of the Alexander Library, there is a binder which lists microform holdings of the Alexander Library. It has not been updated in four years and is incomplete. Importantly, the list does not include the extensive microform holdings of Government Publications; unfortunately, there is no recent list of the microform sets in Government Publications. Micoform collections in Government Publications can be found in the Government Publications Card Catalog.
M. Inter-library Loan (ILL)
If the Rutgers Library system does not own a book or journal that you want, you may do an interlibrary loan. Fill-out an electronic interlibrary loan form, which is one of the blue icons at the top of an IRIS. The Rutgers Libraries will find out who owns the book or journal; the book will be borrowed or a photocopy of the journal article will be made. You will be notified of its arrival by a message posted in the Self-Services section of IRIS. There is no charge for the vast majority of the interlibrary loan requests. However, this service is limited to students, staff and faculty, and there is a limit of ten per week. An interlibrary loan takes a minimum of two weeks.
Interlibrary loans are a service that is very expensive for the library; it is important to use interlibrary loan only for materials that will be of use to your research and studies. It is also important to emphasize that interlibrary loan is only possible when Rutgers does own the book or journal; because of reciprocal agreements, Rutgers cannot request an interlibrary loan for a book that is checked out--Rutgers cannot request an interlibrary loan for a book that it owns. Dissertations from other universities sometimes are available through interlibrary loan; some universities lend their dissertations, some do not.
N. Rutgers Delivery Service (RDS)
Choose IRIS, and do an IRIS search. When you find a book that you would like to have delivered to a library other than where the book is located, click on the REQUEST THIS ITEM button towards the top of the screen and then fill-in the requested information. If you enter your user id (bar code number), do not place spaces between the numbers; if you enter your university id, place the "-" in the appropriate places: for example xxx-xx-xxxx. The book will be delivered to the selected library. You can also RDS journal articles with this method.
O. Access to Other Libraries
Rutgers students and faculty have access to the Firestone Library of Princeton University. To obtain an access service card, you must go to the "Access Services Office" at the Firestone Library (after entering the building, it is to the right), which is open from Monday thru Saturday from 9AM to 5PM. You must present them with your Rutgers ID and a photo ID. You will be issued an access card, which is good for a month and allows you use of the library. Of course, you will not be able to check-out any materials. The branch libraries at Princeton may have different access policies than the Firestone Library. Some libraries are open to the public (for example, the Gest Library). You should call the branch library ahead of time to be sure of their access policies.
Rutgers students and faculty also have access to the main libraries at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and New York University. Your Rutgers ID and a photo ID are required for entrance. The access policies of the branch libraries at these universities may differ from the main library. Again, call ahead of time to check on their access policies.
P. Graduate Reading Room
The Graduate Reading Room is located on the 3rd Floor of the Alexander Library, and it is only for graduate students. Graduate Reserve is located within that reading room. This is an area for graduate students to study; there are "lockers" for doctoral level graduate students to store their belongings and books. Books in the lockers must be checked out. Check with Circulation Desk as to the availability of lockers in the Graduate Reading Room. In addition, there is a micro-computer lab with laser printers.
Q. Political Science Internet Resources
Political Science Resources (Rutgers University)