Griffiths Library

Library Hours

M, T, Th, F: 7:30 am – 3:00 pm

Wednesday: 7:30 am – 1:15 pm

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Online Expectations

Online Research

MLA & Citation Sources

Let’s Talk Books

Meet Your Librarian

Hi! I’m Mrs. Bliss, and I am so excited for the school year. This is my 8th year as the GMS librarian. I’m always happy to help you! I completed my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential in English at Cal State Fullerton. I obtained my Masters in Library Science from San Jose State University. Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions. I look forward to a wonderful school year.

*Don’t forget to check out the library’s Canvas page for more great resources.

Email: jebliss@dusd.net

mrs bliss

What is Information Literacy?

Informationally literate students are able to…

  • Determine the extent of information needed
  • Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
  • Evaluate information and its sources critically
  • Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
  • Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

-American Library Association

Resources for Fact Checking

Reading News Online

How to Choose Your News

How False News Can Spread

How to Spot Fake News

Reading News Online

How to Choose Your News

How False News Can Spread

How to Spot Fake News

Breaking News Consumer’s Handbook: Fake News Edition

    1. Big red flags for fake news: ALL CAPS, or obviously photoshopped pictures.
    2. A glut of pop-ups and banner ads? Good sign the story is pure clickbait.
    3. Check the domain! Fake sites often add “.co” to trusted brands to steal their luster. (Think: “abcnews.com.co”)
    4. If you land on an unknown site, check its “About” page. Then, Google the word “fake” and see what comes up.
    5. If a story offers links, follow them. (Garbage leads to worse garbage.) No links, quotes, or references? Another telltale sign
    6. Verify an unlikely story by finding a reputable outlet reporting the same thing.
    7. Check the date. Social media often resurrects outdated stories.
    8. Read past headlines. Often they bear no resemblance to what lies beneath.
    9. Photos may be misidentified and dated. Use a reverse image search engine like TinEye to see where an image really comes from.
    10. Gut check. If a story makes you angry, it’s probably designed that way.
    11. Finally, if you’re not sure it’s true, don’t share it! Don’t. Share. It.
Same information as on the left

I.C.E. | Cite Sources Like a Pro

Introduce your quotation

Introducing your expert or sources is important for readers because it shows the source is legitimate. In other words, if you are writing about a medical topic, it would make sense that you would gather information from medical journals, databases and medical professionals. 

  • Using a signal phrase helps introduce your expert material into your sentences and paragraphs in a smooth and coherent way.

Cite your quotation

Citing your sources means that you have given credit to the original author or agency that wrote the material.

  • Follow this rule of thumb: “If in doubt, cite it.”
  • What should be cited?
    • Cite anything that is quoted word for word directly from the original source.
    • Cite anything that is paraphrased from the original source.
    • Cite all tables, figures, maps, and etc.
    • Cite anything from electronic sources off the internet
    • Cite any interviews
  • Examples:
    • “By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production.” (Williams 20)

Explain your quotation

Tell your reader what the quotation/fact/data means with regard to your topic and how they relate to your thesis statement.

Key thought: Why is this important and what does it have to do with my main point?

Citation Resources

OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University will help you format your paper in MLA style!
OWL logo
In Text Citations for Beginners
Using Citations Effectively
Choosing and Using Quotations
How to Know If a Source Is Reliable
MLA Style Citing

Online Research

The library has a subscription to databases that you can access anytime, anywhere! See Mrs. Bliss in the library for the password.

Britannica School

britannica school

Need help with research? Find articles, videos and more!

school.eb.com

Britannica Escolar

britannica escolar

¿Necesitas ayuda con la investigación? Encuentre artículos, videos y más.

escolar.eb.com

Gale in Context: Middle School

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Research and learn with thousands of credible and trustworthy primary and secondary sources.

Gale Virtual Reference Library

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A database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.

link.gale.com

Gale Virtual Library (Mental Health)

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Find Mental Health Resources (Password: school)

Wonderopolis

wonderopolis

Discover the latest Wonders from arts & culture, sports, entertainment, games and more with Wonderopolis!

Home of the Thunderbirds | Think, Share, Defend