Challenge Library Guide: Welcome!
Welcome to your Challenge Library Guide!
Welcome to your Portland State University Library (PSU) subject guide for Challenge courses at Portland State University. The PSU Library is your online center for research!
In this subject guide, you will find useful information about Library resources and services to support your college success! Take time to browse these web pages. There are videos and screenshots that describe key approaches to research for your papers, presentations, and other resource gathering assignments.
Library Services
The Library is open for PSU students, faculty, and staff to access the stacks, study spaces, computer labs, and Learning Center appointments. Your PSU ID card is required to enter the building.
The Circulation Desk is open for checking out course reserves, laptops, and other equipment, as well as library materials.
Get help right away via Ask a Librarian.
PSU Library Website Tour Video
Watch this video to take a 2-minute tour of the PSU Library website!
PSU Library Catalog Tour Video
Brainstorming Keywords for Your Topic Video
This quick video explains how to turn your topic into keywords while searching for library resources and sources on the Web.
ASE Research Model
Use the acronym, ASE, for your research strategy!
Analyze
your topic to discover keywords, related terms, synonyms. Use scholarly subject encyclopedias for background information.
Search
for articles, books, and documentaries. List relevant databases.
Evaluate
the resources....Are they relevant? Are they current? Peer reviewed? Scholarly or popular?
School of Library and Information Studies, The Florida State University. (2010). Research led by Dr. Melissa Gross and Dr. Don Latham. Project funded by The Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.
Ask a Librarian
Using AND or OR in the PSU Library Catalog
Use AND or OR to refine your search. You will need to capitalize these words in order for them to work as Boolean operators:
wages OR paychecks - OR provides a broader search for synonyms or words that have the same meaning.
Special Topics Library Guides
University Studies Librarian
Report a Resource or Video Error
The Library strives to provide accessibility to all online content. If a library resource or video is not accessible, or you cannot retrieve it or view it, please let us know using our Report an Error form.