Finding What You Need @ Your Library, or What the Librarian Said

Our lovely summmer is now over, and fall is here along with the beginning of the academic year.
By now many students have probably been assigned a report or paper of some sort. We can help you gather sources for your assignments! In fact, many teachers assign the same projects each year, and we have built up our collection in those areas so that we can serve you better. Here are some suggestions to help you in your search, whether assignment-related or just for your own information.

Your first stop should be the front desk at either the Bill or Gales Ferry Libraries, where the Reference Librarian on duty will assist you in finding all the resources we offer. Bring your assignment with you, if possible. This will help us find exactly what you are looking for.

“It’s 2:00 a.m., do you know where your librarian is?” If you are searching for information after library hours, then use our website: www.lioninc.org/ledyard , and click on the Ledyard Libraries Catalog link. In here you can search for books, videos, music, audio books, etc. in 24 libraries. These include local libraries such as your own Ledyard Libraries, the New London Public, East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Otis Library in Norwich, and others state-wide.


Another great after-hours service is InfoAnytime, which has a button on our webpage. You can chat live with a reference librarian who can help you locate reliable resources on the web, in our catalog, and in the other databases we have access to, including the terrific resources in IConn!

If you have a day or so before you need a reply, then you may also email a reference request to us at: bill-lib@ledyard.lioninc.org . We will get back to you within 48 hours with the information you need.


If you have a laptop, bring it into either library and use our FREE WIFI! Most of the time, there is even a place to plug into an electrical outlet, so you don’t have to use up your battery.
If you don’t own a computer, (or if yours is having issues,) we have computers you can use at both the Gales Ferry and Bill Libraries. Sometimes you may only need to print out something, so just bring in your disc, CD, or jump drive, and you may print out your items in black & white or color. The cost is 10 cents a page for B&W, and 50 cents per page for color printouts. Remember, your first 3 reference prints are free each day. So, if it is informational material obtained from the internet, it counts as reference.

We have a new book on the subject of plagiarism that many of you would find helpful. This book is great for learning how to research and write reports with proper citations. It is also useful in protecting your own creative works! It is a YA book, but can be useful for any age group.

Don’t Steal Copyrighted Stuff !: Avoiding Plagiarism and Illegal Internet Downloading by Ann Gaines.
Call number: YA 808 Gai (Bill Library).

There are other books on the subject at 346.7304 as well.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful in your search for information. And as always, we are happy to help you to find everything you need!