Do the freezing temps make you want to just stay home, curled up by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa? We know how it goes; January and February are rough. If you have research to do but want to avoid the frigid temps, many of our resources and services are available online, some 24/7.

Almost all of our databases can be accessed 24/7 from any computer with internet access. In our databases you will find articles for your research. We have articles from popular magazines, as well as scholarly journals, trade publications and more. Some databases also feature images and other types of media to assist with your research and studies. To see our full list of databases go to: http://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/FindArticles.

If you are off campus, you’ll need to log in with your username and password to access the databases.  (This is the same login used for Blackboard.)

Our libraries also offer a variety of e-books, e-audiobooks and streaming videos. To find these resources, search our library catalog directly from the library homepage. Use the ‘type’ dropdown menu to limit your search to a specific resource type. When you find a title that interests you, simply click the ‘Connect to this resource online’ link. Again, you may be prompted to enter your username and password to view the resource from off campus. Our homepage also has a tab for research guides. These are online guides created by Madison College librarians to help you locate resources for specific subjects and/or classes. Many, although not all, of the resources linked to on these guides are available online.

If you need help from a librarian while working from home, you may think you’re out of luck. Not so. Our librarians offer a chat service allowing you to chat with a Madison College librarian right from your computer, wherever you are. We staff our chat service during library open hours, whenever we are available. To see if there is someone there who can answer your question via chat, click on the ‘Reference and Research Help’ link on our homepage. You’ll find a button on that page indicating whether there is someone available. Additionally, we offer Skype reference if you have or wish to set up a Skype account. To see if we are available to Skype with you, go to: http://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/Skype.

Another option for librarian help is HOWLER (Help Online With Library Education and Research), a series of online tutorials created by Madison College librarians and available 24/7. We have tutorials to guide you through the various phases of the research process, including choosing a topic, locating and retrieving sources, evaluating online information, citing sources and avoiding plagiarism. To see the tutorials visit: http://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/HOWLER.

Finally, if you’re feeling brave enough to venture out in the cold, feel free to stop by any of our seven campus libraries. You’ll be able to access the full range of resources, including books and equipment. You can also get in-person, one-on-one help from a librarian who can answer your research and technology questions. Wishing you a warm start to your semester!