Books can be useful as background to your topic. They can also help you "lay the foundation" of your paper by helping you understand more fully the big picture of your topic. What are you looking for specifically?
Your best bet, if you can locate it, is a well-respected secondary source on your topic that is written for the average person who doesn't have much knowledge in that area. For example, if you want to write about environmental toxins that humans are exposed to, you may want to read this book to more fully understand your topic BEFORE you start gathering lots of sources.
This Search box allows you to search libraries worldwide for information on your topic.
Once you've searched for information on your topic, you will probably want to narrow your search down. There are multiple filtering options available in the left column, such as limiting to items held by the BVU Library, limiting by format (books, articles, etc.), limiting by date or language.
If you have a more complicated search, use the "Advanced Search" link under the "Search" button.
No one library can own EVERYTHING, but libraries cooperate to share many of their resources. This means that patrons of one library can often get access to books and articles owned by other libraries. The Search for BVU Library Resources allows you to search outside of BVU's collection to find books and articles from other libraries.
If you can identify a book or article that would be useful for your research, but BVU doesn't own it, you can use Interlibrary Loan services to get a copy of what you need. We do not charge for this service.
A search for a book on money laundering might lead to this book.
Notice that it is not available in our collection, but it is available at other libraries. Click the title of the book (by the arrow) to begin your request to borrow this book from another library.
On this subsequent screen, you can click on the "Request an Interlibrary Loan" button to begin your request.
Select the "BVU students/faculty/staff" button.
The information about the book will be filled into the request form automatically.
You will be asked to select and verify your pick-up location for the material. Online students can have material mailed to their home address, but may need to pay postage to return it to BVU Library.
Click "Submit Request" button at the bottom of the request screen.
You will get an email when the material arrives and is ready for pick-up. The sticker on the cover of the item will let you know when to return it to the BVU Library. Please return in the Library book drop or to the Library Circulation Desk.