Learn how to locate books, eBooks, and scholarly articles and how to tell if the information you find is reliable.
How to Search the Library Catalog
Start your search in the Ozarks Tech Library Catalog. You’ll find books, eBooks, and other materials available through the Hamra Library and all Ozarks Tech campuses.
You can search by title, author, keyword, or subject. Each result shows where the item is located and whether it’s available in print or online.
MOBIUS and Interlibrary Loan
If Ozarks Tech doesn’t have the item you need, search MOBIUS, a shared catalog connecting dozens of libraries across Missouri and nearby states. You can borrow books and media from these libraries for free and pick them up at your local Ozarks Tech campus.
If you can’t find an item in MOBIUS, especially an article or a specialized resource, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
- ILL can often provide digital copies of articles within 24–48 hours.
- Print items usually arrive within one week.
- Requests are free for Ozarks Tech students, faculty, and staff.
You’ll need to fill out a short form to start your request.
Databases A–Z
Use the library’s research databases to find peer-reviewed articles, reference materials, videos, and more. You can browse by subject or alphabetically.
Tips for Finding Reliable Sources
When you’re researching online, not every source is equally trustworthy. These two methods can help you evaluate credibility.
The SIFT Method, developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield, helps you evaluate whether online information can be trusted.
S – Stop
Before you read or share something, pause. Notice your emotional response to headlines or claims—they’re often designed to get clicks.
Ask yourself:
- What do I already know about this topic?
- What do I know about the source?
- Should I check the source before reading further?
I – Investigate the Source
Search for information about the author or organization.
- What is their mission or goal?
- Are they qualified to write about this topic?
- Do other trusted sources describe them as credible?
Use lateral reading—checking what other websites say about a source, not just what the source says about itself.
F – Find Better Coverage
Look for additional reporting from reputable outlets.
- Can other sources confirm the same information?
- What do fact-checking sites like FactCheck.org, Snopes, or PolitiFact say?
T – Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to the Original Context
Follow links back to the original reporting or study.
- Was the quote or data fairly represented?
- Was anything taken out of context?
This step helps you identify bias or misinformation that may have been introduced through re-reporting.
Source: “The SIFT Method” by Kaitlyn Van Kampen, University of Chicago Library, licensed CC BY 4.0.
The CRAAP Test, created by librarian Sarah Blakeslee at California State University, Chico, provides a simple checklist for evaluating information.
C – Currency
Is the information current or updated recently? Are links functional?
R – Relevance
Does it fit your topic, purpose, and reading level? Would you feel confident citing it?
A – Authority
Who wrote or published it? Are they qualified? What does the web address (.edu, .gov, .org, etc.) tell you about the source?
A – Accuracy
Is the content supported by evidence? Is it reviewed, verified, and free from obvious errors or bias?
P – Purpose
Why does the information exist—to inform, teach, sell, persuade, or entertain? Does the author’s point of view affect objectivity?
Source: “The CRAAP Test” by Kaitlyn Van Kampen, University of Chicago Library, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
When to Ask for Help
If you can’t find what you need, aren’t sure how to search, or want to confirm a source is credible, library staff can help.
Schedule a One-on-One Research Help appointment or stop by the library Service Desk for assistance.