Introduction to resources in agriculture

For basic information on Baldwin Library policies and procedures, see the brochure “Introduction to Baldwin Library.” Or call the library main desk at 1-229-391-4990. Or e-mail us at asklib@abac.edu.

Looking for information how to grow a crop?  Hydroponics? Integrated pest management? History of Dorset sheep? All of these topics fall under the broad category of Agriculture. Although you may find something doing a Google search on your topic, it is not likely that it will be the best information. This handout will introduce you to some of the agricultural resources available through the Baldwin Library.  For specific questions on the best way to search a particular database or advice on which resource is the most applicable to your situation, do not hesitate to ask the library staff.  We like doing reference!

Books

The Library of Congress organizes Agriculture in this way

It may be worth your time to browse the appropriate sections in the main collection upstairs as well as the Reference Collection on the main floor, but as a general rule, the most current information will be in the Reference Collection.  

When using GIL (our on-line catalog) to look for information on a person, use the person as a SUBJECT rather than searching everything or looking for the person’s name in just a title.

Don’t ignore the e-books!!!  GIL gives you access to a number of digital books through NetLibrary. You will find these e- books by searching GIL for your subject.  There are many NetLibrary books on a variety of agricultural topics.  In order to read these books off campus, you must set up a NetLibrary account while you are on campus.

GILExpress will let you request books that ABAC does not own from other University System of Georgia libraries. Interested?  Ask one of the library staff for help.

Journals

ABAC subscribes to a number of agricultural journals – the articles in these journals usually do not appear full text in the GALILEO databases.  A partial list of our subscription holdings includes

Databases

GALILEO, Georgia’s Virtual Library, gives ABAC students access to many different research databases from every discipline.  Often, the most difficult problem is choosing the best resources for your research interest.  We often suggest the following databases for agricultural topics.  Find them by clicking on the Science & Technology  tab  and then choosing  Agriculture. The resulting list will give you some options.  If you find an article citation and no full text, you may request the article from one of the librarians using a process called Interlibrary Loan.  ILLs can take up to two weeks and is another reason not to leave your research until the last minute.  If you are using GALILEO off campus, you may be asked for a password.  Contact a member of the library staff for the one currently in use.

These are good databases in which to start your research. If you cannot find enough information in these, please feel free to talk to a librarian about your research. 

Academic Search Complete – Try this one first.  It’s the biggest database in GALILEO and has a little something on just about every topic.

ProQuest Agriculture Journals –  An excellent choice.  Many full text articles and the database is geared especially for agriculture.

AGRICOLA – Means “farmer” in Latin.  Need we say more? Some full text.

JSTOR has a small collection of core agricultural journals. This database's strength is that it offers the complete runs of the the journals. So, if you are looking to read agricultural articles written in the 18th and 19th centuries, this is where to find them.

Remember, ABAC is across the street from the Tifton campus of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Science. They have access to many specialized databases and resources ABAC does not.

Web Resources --  Google will bury you with junk … try these first!

National Academies Press- addresses science and policy issues confronting the agricultural, food, and environmental system. They provide expert advice on issues of food, animal health, and production and related matters of natural resource development including forestry, fisheries, and wildlife. They will sell you books, but there are many books available here free to read on-line.

Southern Research Station Headquarters -- USDA Forest Service publications. They are free, they are informative, and often, they are scholarly.

INFOMINE: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections    Many of the resources described here are paid subscriptions (and you will not be able to access them), which proves again that not everything on the ‘net is free.

AgNIC The Agriculture Network Information Center  A collaborative effort between librarians, academics, extension services and other agricultural professionals – everything from Animal Waste Management to Urban Entomology. 

National Agriculture Library – Your tax dollars at work. 

Need study space?
There are eight study rooms located on the second floor of the Baldwin Library.  Each of these rooms is equipped with a dry erase board, marker and an eraser.  Rooms are available for use by our patrons on a first come, first served basis.  Baldwin Library assumes no responsibility for items left unattended – watch your property, please! Room 308 Is the Honors Study room and is reserved for students in the Honors Program.  Honors students should sign in at the front desk to obtain a key to this room and must return the key when leaving the library.

Copies and Printouts
Photocopies are made on the self service copier in Room 206.  They are 10¢ each. Change for bills 10 dollars or smaller can be obtained at the front desk.  Printouts from the GALILEO computers and the microfilm copier are free (limit of 5 documents per session, please).

 Revised 8/07