Lean Library
What is Lean Library?
A browser extension for access and assistance. You will spend less time figuring out if you have access to information and more time researching!
How Lean Library Works?
When you access an article on a journal’s website or through a Google Search, the Lean Library extension recognizes OU Libraries’ e-resources then provides you with a GET ACCESS button that will authenticate your OU credentials for full text access.
How to get Lean Library?
Open the download link and add the extension to your browser. Select University of Oklahoma from the dropdown menu and click on Save.
- Lean Library Info HandoutThis handout repeats the information about what Lean Library is, how it works, and how to get it. You can use this handout to share about Lean Library with your friends and colleagues!
- Lean Library Firefox Browser Extension VideoThis video will help you add the Lean Library browser extension to Firefox.
PowerNotes
What is PowerNotes?
PowerNotes is a browser extension that allows you to annotate and highlight PDFs and webpages that are relevant to your research. With PowerNotes, you’ll be able to gather, organize, and keep track of your research all in one place!
How Does PowerNotes Work?
As you are researching online, when you have PowerNotes enabled, you are able to highlight pertinent quotes, save resources as links you can return to later, have a template outline to organize the data you are saving, as well as manage your progress as you do your research.
How to Add PowerNotes to Your Internet Browser?
The installation process is simple, go to PowerNotes.com and download the extension to your browser. You can also follow these instructions about creating an account.
More Information
- Using PowerNotes with OU Libraries Resources HandoutThis handout goes over the steps of using the PowerNotes browser extension.
- PowerNotes Information HandoutThis handout repeats the information about what PowerNotes is, how it works, and how to get it. You can use this handout to share about PowerNotes with your friends and colleagues!
Citation Help
Citation Guides
- OU Writing Center's Citation GuidesOU Writing Center's Citation Guides will help you cite your sources. The appropriate citation style manual will be dictated by your discipline or major. If you are unsure, ask your instructor.
- Purdue OwlThe Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses resources and instructional material on research, writing, and citation styles.
Citation Generator
- Citing Sources from OU Libraries DatabasesThis research guides provides instruction on how to generate citations on OU Libraries' databases.
- Cite This For MeCite This For Me is one of the most popular citation tools today. You can choose from a list of 30+ source types. It doesn’t matter if you’re citing a website, book, video, online image, or something totally different.
Tips on Using Discover
Help Menu Option
The Help menu option on OU Libraries Discover search page links to a handout that lists tips on using Discover while you research. These tips will make your research process quicker & easier.
- Tips on Using Discover HandoutThis link will open the actual Tips on Using Discover Handout.
Research Help @ OU Libraries
The Research Help Desk is where you can get research assistance from University Libraries' Peer Research Mentors and Graduate Research Assistants. The Research Help Desk is located in Bizzell Memorial Library on the main floor in the Loveridge Computer Lab. At the Research Help Desk, OU Libraries' student employees will assist you with your research questions, while also helping you become more comfortable and confident navigating the OU Libraries' website and databases.
My Library Feature
How to Personalize Your My Library Page:
- Go to libraries.ou.edu and login with your OU 4x4 and password.
- Click on the “My Library” link.
- To add databases & e-references on your My Library Page,
- you can click on the databases & e-reference link to browse through the list of resources provided by the libraries
- or you can search by title or keyword
- or you can filter results by subject or resource type.
- Once you find the database or e-reference resource you want to save to your My Library page, and click on the “Add to My Library” link to save it to your My Library Page.
- You can also add research guides the same way by either visiting the research guides page, by searching by title or description, or by filtering results by subject.
- If you want the resources you just saved to appear on the homepage after you login, then select the star icon.
- Scroll to the top of the page, and click on the OU Libraries logo to take you back to the homepage.
- You should see the resources you saved listed under the My Library section of OU Libraries homepage.
My Library Handout & Video
- My Library HandoutLearn how to use the My Library feature on University Libraries' website.
- My Library Video TutorialLearn how to use the My Library feature on University Libraries' website.
OU Libraries Tutorial Videos
Let's Talk About Sources Tutorial Video
Learn how to identify the right source to support your research in this tutorial video.
Smooth Operator Tutorial Video
Learn about advanced search techniques and how to optimize your search with Boolean operators.
More Tutorial Videos & Handouts
- More Tutorial VideosWatch tutorial videos about searching the Discover search box, selecting databases, and information about interlibrary loan!
- Popular vs. Scholarly Sources HandoutThis handout lists the differences between popular and scholarly sources.
- SIFT HandoutThe SIFT handout can help you evaluate the sources you find during your research. SIFT stands for Stop. Investigate the source. Find better or other sources. Trace back to the original source to see quotes in their original context.