MCC LIBRARY RESOURCES
Introduction to Horticulture
Reference Sources are a good place to start your research. They can give you a concise overview of your topic, background information, facts & statistics, plus help you define and spell words, and focus your topic. Reference Sources include both books located in the Reference Collection and databases accessible on the Library Web Site under the link Reference Databases.
Call Number Title REF SB197.M28 Manual of Grasses
REF SB407.F384 Illinois Gardener's Guide REF SB431.7.G74 Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses REF SB403.2.F66 Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia REF SB434.J4513 Hardy Herbaceous Perennials REF SB403.2.A45 A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants REF SB315.58.E94 Encyclopedia of Horticulture
Books & Media
The Stacks contain books and audiovisual items that may be borrowed or "checked out" of the library. These resources are useful when you need a more in-depth study of a topic than can be provided in reference sources alone. Use the Library's Online Catalog to determine what resources are available on your topic and the call number and location in the library. If our library does not own the necessary resources for your research needs, you may request additional items be ordered through interlibrary loan.
Subject Headings to use in the Library Catalog:
perennials
ornamental grasses
ornamental shrubs
Article Databases
Periodicals consist of popular magazines, newspapers, trade and scholarly journals. Magazine & newspaper articles can be good sources to use for very current information, to focus on specific topics or aspects of a topic, to find reviews, and for opinions. Trade journals are helpful to follow trends and career opportunities within a field, and to find practical tips and techniques to use "on the job". Scholarly journals give details of actual research studies that have been conducted and/or scholarly treatment of discipline specific topics. All of these resources can be located using the article databases located on the library web site.
Database Name Vendor Name Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune Academic Search Premier EBSCO Newspaper Source EBSCO ArticleFirst, ECO FirstSearch ProQuest ProQuest
Passwords to access the library databases from off-campus are available on the pink handout MCC Library Database Chart. If you have not received this handout, please ask for it at the Reference Desk.
Internet Resources
Recommended web sites for this subject are listed below. For additional web sites on this subject, refer to MCC Library's Web Sites by Subject link on the library web site.
Web Site Address Chicago Botanic Garden www.chicago-botanic.org/ Craig Bergmann www.craigbergmann.com/ Morton Arboretum www.mortonarb.org/ National Arboretum USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ Illinois Master Gardeners www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/ National Plants Database plants.usda.gov Northwind Perennial Farm www.northwindperennialfarm.com/
Remember to carefully evaluate information found on the
Internet. Unlike most traditional print sources, Internet sources may not
go through any review process before the information is made available to
the public. Anyone can create and publish a web site. If you need help evaluating
your sources, please ask at the Reference Desk for guidance. For critieria
to use to evaluate your sources refer to our handout on Evaluating
Sources. It is available at the Reference Desk.