Keywords to use when searching eLibrary, databases and print indexes:

The Cuesta College pamphlet files are a historical clipping file for local issues and are a great place to research or browse for ideas. The headings can also be useful for identifying search terms. In eLibrary, click power search, location pamphlet file, or see the tile list here:  Local Issues.doc

Newspapers

• NewsBank: The Cuesta College Library has an online subscription to the NewsBank, database, which provides full-text coverage of the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

Searching the Web

• Google:
  Google news searches can be customized by publication and location and include not only our local print and online publications, but also local issues covered in the national press.
  Start at Google news: http://news.google.com
  click advanced news search: http://news.google.com/news/advanced_news_search

Location Search:

Find results
with all of the words: development
Location Return only articles about a local area: San Luis Obispo, CA

Publication Search:

Find results
with all of the words: Cuesta College
News source Return only articles from the news source named : San Luis Obispo Tribune

Local Organizations
Local Organizations are a great place to find experts on local issues. They can help with topics, find information, and lead you to other sources.

San Luis Obispo Library Local History Room, located at the Downtown Branch of the San Luis Obispo City/County Library: http://www.slolibrary.org/
The Local History Room is dedicated to the history of San Luis Obispo County. While the books and microfilm generally span the late 1800’s up to the present, the clipping files are primarily 1960’s to the present. The room can be accessed during regular library hours. Appointments can be made ahead to get one-on-one help during regular hours at 781-5989.

San Luis Obispo County Law Library http://www.slocll.org
The San Luis Obispo County Law Library provides current legal materials that meet the legal research and information needs of patrons in San Luis Obispo County. It is useful for past legal decisions affecting today’s local issues

San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum http://slochs.org/research2.asp
The Public Research Room is located in the lower level of the Historical Museum and is available Wednesday thru Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, or by appointment depending on the availability of our volunteer docents. Collections include early county newspapers, photos and historic correspondence.

Paso Robles Pioneer Museum: http://www.pasoroblespioneermuseum.org/index.htm

South County Historical Society http://www.southcountyhistory.org/

Books from the Cuesta College Library

Cuesta college holds some books on local issues as well as publications from city agencies about planning (e.g. Diablo Canyon). Also use the Cuesta collection to research background on local issues.

• From the Library's home page http://library.cuesta.edu under Find a Book, select eLibrary and type a keyword in the Search field.
• Online books (eBooks) are also accessed from eLibrary. The eBook call number is ONLINE and says Internet (for location) in the right hand column. Access eBooks by selecting the URL for the book.
If you are asked for a password when accessing ebooks off campus, use your myCuesta username and login.

Books from other libraries

• On the Cuesta Library's home page http://library.cuesta.edu, look under Find a Book and choose Other Library Catalogs to see nearby libraries.
• Search the full text of many books at Google Books: http://books.google.com
• Find books at libraries around the state and country at Worldcat: http://www.worldcat.org
• Request books from other libraries by using the online link to the Interlibrary Loan Request form, found on the Library home page http://library.cuesta.edu under "Borrow from other libraries." Allow 7-10 working days to receive your materials.

Periodicals (Journals, Magazines, Newspapers) in online databases

• Cuesta subscribes to the following online databases: EBSCOhost, SIRS, and National Newspaper Index.  From the Library home page http://library.cuesta.edu, under Find an Article select the periodical type you want, or choose to look at the entire list of databases. From home, use your myCuesta ID and PIN to log in.

Other Cuesta Library Resources

Go to Additional Links and Resources under English 201A Workbook to find links to many research aids.

If you need help the Reference Librarian will be happy to assist you! Library Hours, Reference/Information Desk: 546-3157.