Mathematics

The aim of this guide is threefold:

1. To outline the traditional research pathway beginning with dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, handbooks, etc.
2. To develop a familiarity and vocabulary of definitions, concepts and reference sources.
3. To serve as a resource for reference desk staff in leading users to appropriate library services, resources, and collections.

A final note, library guides provide a passive approach to reference services for undergraduate research inquiries. Consult the Information/Reference (Quick Help) staff as appropriate.

QUICK Library Research HELP. The University Library provides assistance in many ways during library hours, especially during academic sessions:

• By phone : 317-274-0469
• By chat Monday - Friday 9 - 4 at left side of page: Research Help
• By e-mail: renewal@iu.edu
• By text: (66746)
• In-person at the 2nd level lobby Information/Reference desk

For ADDITIONAL HELP, contact resource/research specialist Randall Halverson. I'm happy to support your classwork or research via email or Canvas message suggestions or by appointment. Email is an effective medium to send questions: rahalver@iu.edu. For the best results, please include your course and section number and background details, especially, 

• details about your project topic, such as your personal or professional interest in the topic,

• whether you want to focus your topic and explore possible research directions, or search for "big picture" overview sources or in-depth specialized sources, etc.,

• search resources and strategies that you've already tried.

To Schedule an in person or Zoom RESEARCH CONSULTATION, please use the library's "Make an Appointment" page, selecting my name from the list of subject librarians. Appointments can be made up to 12 hours before a time option shown for me on the calendar. If my time options shown on the calendar don't work for you, you are welcome to send 2 or 3 days/times you could meet by email. I'll respond. :~)

You can access almost all of the library's electronic resources (journal subscriptions or databases) from home or other location so long as you are an IU Indy student, staff or faculty member. Library resources are "IP-filtered". Access typically requires using a library site link to the resource (from off-campus, brings up an IU login popup window to authenticate), using the campus computer network, such as IU Indianapolis wireless system, or method such as connecting via VPN or IUanyWare. See "Off-Campus Access to Resources (EZ Proxy)". 

With Covid-related network changes, VPN does not always work for certain resources. Alternatives include using a library site resource link or installing our EZProxy Bookmarklet.

For Skillport IT- and Business-related ebooks, using a library site link is required on or off the campus network.

"ON DEMAND" options 

Books, videos, bound volumes of journals, sets of papers from a conference, and other items can be requested by Interlibrary loan using an ILLiad request form, through IUCAT for delivery from other IU campus library sites, or requested using the library purchase request form. See ON DEMAND options* under main library homepage tab "Borrowing" or directly at: http://library.indianapolis.iu.edu/borrowing/information

If you need an e-copy such as ebook on a topic, a subject librarian may be able to identify several comparable items that the library can purchase with one or more concurrent-use digital copies. You can then decide what to request via the library purchase request form*.