Struggling to find the resources you are looking for? The library advanced search is your best friend! Watch the video below to learn how to properly use the library advanced search.   

When searching for scholarly peer-reviewed articles it is essential that you search within the right database. Databases will allow you to search within a single subject area and will weed out irrelevant sources. Watch the video below for help selecting the right database: 

Members of the Valley City State University community, including faculty, students and staff, often have occasion to use copyrighted material in connection with their teaching, classroom assignments or research. The purpose of the Copyright guidelines guide is to promote the understanding of and compliance with applicable provisions of copyright law. It provides practical information in order to encourage and promote the lawful use of copyright protected materials.

Researching from somewhere other than campus? We can help! Check out the library's Graduate, Distance, and Online Library Research page for assistance.

Studying for the Praxis? Allen Memorial Library can help with that!  At Allen Memorial Library we have a number of resources to help you study for the Praxis tests. Located at the Information Desk in the Library, you can find a number of different study guides for the various Praxis tests. These books are available for checkout. See our Praxis Prep guide for study guides and more!         

Citing Sources in APA and not sure where to start? VCSU Library can help with that! Please use this page for examples of how to cite in text and in the bibliography in the APA style. See attachments for more examples and a sample APA paper. In Text Citations Insert authors and dates of the works cited in the body of the text. All authors cited in the text must be included in the alphabetical reference list at the end of the study. Direct Quotation (Surname, Year) Two Authors (Surname1 & Surname2, Year) 3-5 Authors (First Mentions) (Surname1, Surname2, Surname3, Surname4, & Surname5, Year) 3-5 Authors (Subsequent Mentions) (Surname1 et al., Year) 6 or More Authors (Surname1 et al., Year) Unknown Author ("Title of Work," Year) Bibliography Book Author, A.A. (year). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Place of Publication: Publisher. e-Book Author, A.A. (year). Title of Book. [e-Book Provider Version]. Retrieved from e-Book Provider's URL. Chapter in an Edited Book Author, A.A. (year). Title of Chapter. In A. Editor (Ed.) Title of Book (page range). Place of Publication: Publisher. Journal Article Author, A.A., Author, B.B., & Author, C.C. (year). Title of Article. Title of Journal, volume number, page numbers. doi:number Class Lecture Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (Year). Lecture title [Format]. Retrieved from College Name Course name Course Management Name site. Online Resources APA Citation Guide For more help citing sources please contact Hannah Beebe - we are happy to help!

Citing Sources in MLA and not sure where to start? VCSU Library can help with that! Please use this page for examples of how to cite in text and in the bibliography in the MLA style. See attachments for more examples and a sample MLA paper. In Text Citations Insert authors and page numbers cited in the body of the text. All sources cited in the text must be included in the alphabetical reference list at the end of the study. Direct Quotation (Surname Page Number) Two Authors (Surname1 and Surname2 Page Number) 3 or More Authors (Surname1, et al. Page Number) No Page Numbers (i.e. website) (Surname) Indirect Source (qtd. in Surname Page Number) Unknown Author ("First portion of title" Page Number) Bibliography All MLA citations follow this basic template: Author. Title of source. Title of container, other contributors, version, number, publisher, publications date, location. Print Book Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year. e-Book Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year. Database name, URL. Date of Access. Chapter in an Edited Book Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. "Title of Chapter." Title of Book, edition, edited by Editor's Name(s), Publisher, Year, Pages. Journal Article Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. "Title of Article." Name of Journal, vol. number, issue number, year, pages. Name of Database, doi or URL. Date of Access. Class Lecture Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of PowerPoint Presentation." Title of Course, Date of PowerPoint presentation, Valley City State University. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. Online Resources MLA Citation Guide For more help citing sources please contact Hannah Beebe - we are happy to help!

Looking for research help for one of your assignments? Listed below are the best research resources that you have access to as a VCSU student, staff, or faculty member. Research Guides Research guides are web pages created by VCSU librarians that will provide you with the best research resources, databases, and research tips for a specific subject. By using a research guide, you know that you will be finding subject-specific resources rather than general resources. Learn more about university library resources. **If you are an instructor looking for a custom research guide for one of your courses, please contact the library! Reference Desk The Reference Desk, located in the lobby of Allen Memorial Library is staffed from 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. At the Reference Desk you can find help with finding and evaluating information for your assignments, referencing sources, and requesting books. Come visit the Reference Desk - we are happy to help! Come visit the Reference Desk - we are happy to help! Library Chat Off campus or just don't feel like coming into the library? Did you know that from 1PM-4PM Monday through Friday you can chat online with a librarian and get help with finding and evaluating information for your assignments, referencing sources, and requesting books! To chat visit the library homepage and click on Contact your Librarian Need more help? Contact your VCSU Librarians for research assistance!