Agricultural Education and Communication

Finding Books

Encyclopedia of Education.2nd edition
Call Number: Ref LB15 .E47 2003
Covers various aspects of education. Includes an entry on "agricultural education." Entries have bibliographies.
PolyCAT
PolyCAT is the library's online catalog. It includes entries for books, titles of journals, magazines, and newspapers, senior projects, audiovisual materials, maps, and government documents. Using keyword type in your topic. If you do not get results, try a broader topic that would include what you are searching for. If Cal Poly does not own the book(s) you are looking for, click on the LINK+ button on the PolyCAT result screen.
LINK+
LINK+ is a consortium of academic and public libraries that allows you to check for a book we do not own and self-initiate an interlibrary loan request for a book in the Link+ system.
MELVYL
MELVYL is the catalog for the University of California system. We only have access to the library catalogs of the various campuses. Any book titles you find on MELVYL need to checked in PolyCAT before initiating an Interlibrary Loan Request .
WorldCat
A database of various formats (books, maps, internet, etc.) that can provide additional titles for your research.

Finding Articles

Education Abstracts
Education Abstracts is a database of selected education journals, beginning in l983. Abstracts for records are available since 1994.
ERIC
ERIC is a database of journal articles and documents relevant to the field of education. It is possible to limit your search to either journal articles or documents. Documents are available on microfiche using the ED number.
AGRICOLA
AGRICOLA is the database produced by the National Agricultural Library. The database indexes materials beginning in 1970. Some of the records include abstracts. The database includes formats besides journal articles. One can limit by date, language, and format.
Find It
"Find It" (also known as "SFX") will allow you to go from a citation to obtaining the article as full-text, available in the Library or online through PolyCAT, or to make an Interlibrary Loan Request.

Locating Government Information

PolyCAT
Since 2000, Federal publications are available through PolyCAT. Prior to 2000, Federal publications were entered into PolyCAT on a selective basis. To locate government publications not found in PolyCAT, consult a Reference Librarian.
Since 1990, State of California and Agricultural Experiment Station publications are available through PolyCAT. Prior to 1990, check the subject, author, and title shelf lists located in the Reference Department, 1st floor, Library.

Federal

GPO U.S. Government Publications
Searchable database of publications by U. S. government agencies. 1976-
FirstGov
Gateway to U.S. government information.
Includes an alphabetical list of agencies
U.S. Department of Education
GPO Access
Gateway to U. S. government information provided by the Government Printing Office.
The Catalog of Government Publications
Indexes print and online publications by Federal agencies.
United States Government Manual
Online 1995 - Includes information and web addresses for Federal agencies.
Call Number: AE 2.108/2
Latest edition Documents Ready Reference, Reference
Department, 1st floor. Older editions: U.S. Docs., 3rd floor

California

State of California Home Page
Lower right corner Quick Hits includes the link to State Agencies
California Department of Education
A high percentage of government information is available online. Some of this information is also available in print. To search for government information on Google, add site:gov to your search or go to the advanced search screen and indicate .gov as the domain you wish to search. Google Uncle Sam searches for government information.

Locating Statistics

Statistical Abstract of the United States
Call Number: Ref HA202 .A2.
Latest edition only retained in Reference. Located at Reference Desk, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library. Older editions retained in U. S. Docs, 3rd floor (C3.134:year), Library.
A good place to begin looking for statistical information. Tables include source information for further information.
FedStats
Gateway to statistics produced by U.S. government agencies.
NASS (National Agricultural Statistical Service)
Statistical arm of the United States Department of Agriculture
Counting California
Statistical site dealing with California.
U.S. Census Department
Home page for the U.S. Census Department. Numerous links for statistical information, e.g. American Fact Finder, "source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data."
Agricultural Statistics (1994 - Current)
Call Number: Ref HD1751 .A43.
Latest edition only retained in Reference. Located at Reference Desk, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library. Older editions retained in U. S. Docs, 3rd floor (A 1.47: year), Library.
Statistics on agricultural topics. Published annually.
California Statistical Abstract
Call Number: CALIF F380 S8.
Latest edition Documents Ready Reference, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library. Older editions retained in CALIF Documents section, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library.
County and City Data Book
Latest edition 2000. Published every 5 years.
Call Number: C 3.134/2:C 82/2.
Latest edition Document Ready Reference, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library. Older editions retained in U.S. Docs, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library.
Historical Statistics of the United States, colonial times to 1970
Call Number: Ref HA202 .B87 1975.
Located at Reference Desk, Reference Department, 1st floor, Library.

Additional Online Resources

National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
College students interested in agricultural communications as a profession. Cal Poly has a chapter.
American Association for Agricultural Education
Associations Unlimited
Searchable database to locate associations and organizations