CLAS 3030/6030 - Death, Disease & Health in the Ancient World

Dealing with Abbreviations

Journal names are often abbreviated in bibliographies, and deciphering them can be quite a chore.

Below is an online abbreviation lists from the American Journal of Archaeology as well as a more comprehensive print resource in our reference collection.

Books, Articles and More!

Vanderbilt University Library Catalog

Selecting the best search scope for your research needs:

Library Catalog vs. VU Collections vs. Articles

Search Scope What is included? When should I use it?
Library Catalog
  • Broadest search scope
  • Results will include books and ebooks, articles, and media like DVDs
  • A great option when you are just beginning your research process.
  • Use Library Catalog when you want to survey the research landscape for your topic
VU Collections
  • Focuses on VU owned items, physical and digital
  • Results will include books and ebooks, and media like DVDs
  • Digital collections like the TV News Archive will also be included in your results
  • You have defined your information needs
  • Use VU Collections when you are ready to create a tailored search for your topic
Articles
  • Content from selected VU databases
  • Popular and scholarly articles
  • Use Articles to find popular and scholarly articles on your topic.
  • The Articles scope does not search across all databases accessible to the Vanderbilt community.
  • Not finding the articles you need or want more database options?

For a more detailed explanation of your search scope options consult What am I searching?

 

Keyword vs. Subject Searching

Step 1:  Start your search process by brainstorming a list of keywords that describe the main concepts of your topic or question.

Step 2:  Use these keywords for your initial searches.

Step 3:  Use the Subject Heading links in the Library Catalog record to refine your search.

Try a SUBJECT search using one of the Library of Congress Subject Headings listed below:

Medicine, Greek and Roman       Communicable diseases History
Food habits Rome History Human remains (Archaeology)
Food habits Greece History Greece Religion
Medicine, Ancient Rome Religion.
   

The following databases will help you find articles on your topic:

 What is Find it at VU button?

FindIt@VU provides direct links from a database citation to the fulltext of the article (if available) and other supporting resources.

An FAQ for FindIt@VU is also available.

Specialized Ebook Collections with Classical Studies Content

General Ebook Collections

What Do I Need for an ILL Request?

All you need is your VUnet ID and password, and the citation information for the resource you are requesting.  Just click on the link below and login to the library's Interlibrary Loan Service.

Need help?  Ask a reference librarian!


Interlibrary Loan FAQ

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan or ILL (sometimes also called interloan, document delivery, or document supply etc.) is a service whereby a user of one library can borrow books or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library. The user makes a request with their local library (in this case Vanderbilt's Heard Library), which, acting as an intermediary, identifies owners of the desired item, places the request, receives the item, makes it available to the user, and arranges for its return.

Do I need to use ILL?

ILL is an optional service.  Most undergraduates are able to complete their research assignments using the resources available at the Vanderbilt Libraries.  Occasionally the resources you need for a research assignment will not be available.  That's when ILL can come to the rescue.

Who can make an ILL request?

Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students.

What can I request?

We can usually borrow from other libraries the kinds of materials that would circulate here: books and reprints, scores, proceedings, etc.. Microforms, newspaper back files, dissertations, and government documents often are available, but may need special handling. Periodical volumes, reference books, rare or fragile items, videotapes, and very old or very new imprints cannot normally be borrowed. We can request copies of journal articles and many other items that cannot be borrowed.

How long does it take?

Locating and receiving books and articles usually takes a few weeks or less, but sometimes takes several months or longer. Service may be slower during busy times, and we are limited in the number of items we can process at once for a single patron. You should try to determine your needs early, and time your requests to allow for delays and to avoid receiving more than you can use in the time allowed for loans.   A good rule of thumb:  Budget at least two weeks for receiving an ILL request.

What does it cost?

Absolutely Free!


Want to Find Books in Other Libraries?

WorldCat

Try WorldCat!

It contains more than 125 million records describing resources owned by U.S. libraries and libraries around the world.

HathiTrust has created the Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS), which will allow Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff online reading access to materials that Vanderbilt Libraries own in print during this period of remote teaching, learning, and research. Access is available until further notice. 

**Users need to click on the yellow Log in button and choose Vanderbilt University as their institution and then login with their VUnet ID and password to gain access.

HathiTrust Login Button

Temporary Access titles are not accessible from the Library Catalog.  You will need to search for them directly in HathiTrust. I recommend a title search directly in the catalog.  See screenshot for example:

HathiTrust Search Box Example

 

Some caveats:

  • Not all print items available in our catalog are available in HathiTrust
  • HathiTrust is providing reading access to Temporary Access titles
    • The option to download the work in full is not available
    • You will be able to “check out” materials for a limited time (60 minutes)
      • There is an automatic renewal option available
  • Access to items is 1-1; 1 copy on the member library shelf, 1 individual access to the digital copy; 2 copies, 2 concurrent users of the digital item.
  • You may encounter a title that is not available for check out even though it is in our print collection as well as in HathiTrust
    • Please contact the library for assistance.