There are a variety of services that the library can provide! Click on the name of each service to learn more about it.
You must have a barcode on the back of your student ID to check out books. If you do not have a barcode, come to the library and ask for one.
Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-7 pm
Guidelines for student conduct in the library
Choosing a Topic
Don't just Google "speech topics" and choose from a boring, overdone list. Instead, think about things that interest, irritate, or excite you. Various life experiences or things you've learned about in the past can be used for a great speech topic.
Researching a Topic
Using your life experiences and interests is a great way to start your speech. However, you'll need to be more in-depth research to ensure that your speech is accurate and provides context for assertions and positions that you hold. You can research a topic in a variety of ways, including reading books, searching databases, and reading online blogs, articles, and newspapers.
We have a variety of things available for you to research your topic in the library:
The librarian can help you with one-on-one searching and in-depth research
Databases (seen below) can be used to find in-depth academic journals and newspapers. They are available anywhere you have Internet access.
Magazines are available in the library and some are available online. See what magazines and topics are available here: http://library.aaart.edu/c.php?g=270656&p=6353498
Books are available in the library and can be checked out. Some of the most relevant ones about speech are seen to the right of this box. You can also find books about your specific topic.
Computers are available when the library is open for Internet research, accessing databases, the library website (also available anywhere you have Internet access), and other research.
Keep in mind that researching is not a straight, easy to follow path. Oftentimes, you will find information that changes the way you think about the topic, the way your speech is written, and sometimes even your choice of topic itself.
Databases To Use
The slideshow in this guide titled "Topic Selection Presentation" provides more information about choosing & researching a topic.