Help with Research
- E-mail reference
- Mail reference
- Telephone reference
- In-library reference
- Pathfinder Research Guides
- Classes
- Databases
- Interlibrary Loan
- List of other metro libraries
Contact the library via:
E-mail Reference
Please use our online form.
Mail Reference
Address inquiries to:
Reference DepartmentTelephone Reference
Urbandale Public Library
3520 86th St., Urbandale IA 50322.
Please call:
515-331-4488 for reference
515-331-4490 for youth services
Walk-In Reference
Walk-In reference queries are answered at the adult and youth services reference desks. See library information for hours of operation.
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Pathfinder Research Guides
Pathfinders are one- to two-page research guides written on various topics to assist patrons in navigating our information-rich society. The pathfinders provide several topic-specific resources in a variety of formats which can be explored and evaluated. These guides are intended to serve as a starting point for research.
The pathfinders listed below have been written by the Urbandale Library reference staff, and list resources available at the Urbandale Library. To see more pathfinders, please visit www.thepathfinderproject.org. To suggest a pathfinder, please use our online suggestion form.
ADD and ADHD
Beginner’s Genealogy on the Internet
Breast Cancer
Budget Travel
Bullying
Christmas Customs
Civil War
College Bound
Container Gardening
Diabetes
Distance Education
Flower Gardening
Home Remodeling
Homeschooling
International Adoption
Iowa History
Job Search
Legal Resources
Loess Hills
Nutrition
Pregnancy
Quilting
Revolutionary War
Scrapbooking
Vacation Iowa
Wedding Plans
Woodworking
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Classes
The following one hour classes are offered twice each year at the
Urbandale Public Library. These classes are taught by the library
staff, are offered free of charge and are taught in the library’s
computer classroom. There is a maximum of seven students per class
unless two people agree to share a computer in advance. Advanced
registration at the reference desk is required. Registrants are
encouraged to bring questions.
Introduction to the Computer
This class is for the beginner. The inside of the computer is explored.
Participants play games at the computer to become familiar with using
the mouse. Prior computer experience is not required.
Introduction to the Internet
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be
comfortable using a mouse. Participants will become familiar with using
the toolbar in Internet Explorer, visiting a web site, learning about
search engines and will be introduced to some “favorite sites” of the
reference department.
Introduction to E-mail
Registrants are required to have
prior computer experience, be comfortable using a mouse and should be
familiar with the Internet. Participants will need to have an e-mail
account set up before attending the class and will learn how to send a
message, reply to a message and other basic e-mail functions.
Introduction to Excel
Registrants are required to have prior
computer experience and be comfortable using a mouse. Participants will
explore the menu bar and the toolbar of Microsoft Excel. Participants
will also format cells, create, print and save a spreadsheet.
Introduction to iBistro: The Urbandale Library Web Catalog
This class instructs participants on how to use the library’s catalog
to search for materials available at the Urbandale Public Library. This
class also demonstrates how to access a user account, place holds,
renew materials, suggest materials and request an item on interlibrary
loan. Mouse experience is extremely helpful but not required.
Introduction to Word
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be
comfortable using a mouse. Participants will explore the menu bar and
the toolbar of Microsoft Word and will select text, use underlining,
italics, bold and change fonts. The saving and printing of documents is
also demonstrated.
Intermediate Word
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be
comfortable using a mouse and a word processing program. Participants
will cut and paste text, copy text, use the alignment buttons, use
bullets, set margins and tabs.
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Databases
The Urbandale Public Library subscribes to numerous databases to assist
you in your research. You will need a library card to access these
databases.
Articles from Newspapers and Magazines
Consumer Reports - Provides ratings and consumer information on
a variety of products. Ask at the reference desk for a staff member to
assist with the password. In-library use only. (www.consumerreports.org)
Des Moines Register and Cedar Rapids Gazette full-text -
Search the Des Moines Register from 1999 to the present and the Cedar
Rapids Gazette from 1992 to the present for full-text articles. Users
must enter their 14 digit Urbandale Library barcode number from the
back of their library card. (infoweb.newsbank.com/signin/UrbandalePublic)
EbscoHost - Search a number of databases which cover a wide
range of topics and contain full-text articles, citations and abstracts
from sources such as magazines, journals and newspapers. EbscoHost is
also available in a number of languages. This database is accessible
from within the library and outside the library with a user ID and
password, available by contacting the library. (search.ebscohost.com)
EBSCOhost List of Indexed Titles - An alphabetical listing of the periodicals indexed in the EBSCOhost databases. (www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/databases/ebsco/title-list)
FirstSearch - FirstSearch includes eight databases: WorldCat (a
catalog of over 53 million records of books and other materials in OCLC
libraries worldwide), ArticleFirst, ERIC, GPO, MEDLINE, PapersFirst,
ProceedingsFirst and UnionList. FirstSearch is accessible from within
the library and from outside the library with a user name and password,
available by contacting the reference desk. (firstsearch.oclc.org/fsip)
Address and Telephone Directories
Reference USA - Business and residential telephone and address
directories, nationwide. Users must enter their 14 digit Urbandale
Library barcode number from the back of their library card. (www.referenceusa.com)
Auto Repair
Auto Repair Reference Center - Car repair information by year, make,
and model. Contact the reference desk for user name and password. (search.ebscohost.com)
Genealogy
HeritageQuest (inside of library usage) - Includes images and
indexing of the 1790-1930 U. S. federal censuses, 8,000 family
histories, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) which covers 6,300
genealogy and history periodicals, and a number of other databases. (www.heritagequestonline.com)
HeritageQuest (outside of library usage) - Use this link when
using a computer outside of the library. Users must enter their 14
digit Urbandale Library barcode number from the back of their library
card. Problems with barcodes should be directed to the reference desk
staff at (515) 331-4488. (www.heritagequestonline.com/barcode?aid=13687)
Investment Research
Valueline - This service provides information and advice on
stocks and industries. The print and online subscriptions are available
only in the library. Ask at the reference desk for a staff member to
assist with the password. (www.valueline.com)
Reading Suggestions
Novelist and Novelist K-8 - Advice on good fiction for adults
and youth. These databases are accessible from within the library from
all public access computers, as well as outside the library with a user
ID and password, available by contacting the library. (search.ebscohost.com)
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Interlibrary Loan
If the Urbandale Public Library does not own the item a patron wishes
to check out, the item may be requested from another library through
interlibrary loan. Interlibrary loan request forms are available
at each of the library service desks. You may also make a request by
filling out and submitting an
online form.
The minimum fee is $1.25 to assist with the postage to mail the item
back to the lending library. A patron may request a maximum of three
items at a time and requests must be at least six months past their
release date. Items may take anywhere from three days to one month to
arrive. You will be notified by phone when an item arrives. Items must
be picked up within four days of the notification call. A $1.25 fee
will be charged even if the borrower does not pick up the item.
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List of other metro libraries
Altoona Public Library
700 8th St SW
Altoona, IA 50009
515-967-3881
www.altoonapubliclibrary.net
Mon - Thurs 9:00 - 9:00, Fri & Sat 9:00 - 5:30, Sun 2:00 - 5:30
Ames Public Library
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50010
515-239-5656
www.amespubliclibrary.org
Regular Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00 - 9:00, Fri 9:00 - 6:00, Sat 9:00 - 6:00, Sun 1:00 - 5:00
Summer Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00 - 9:00, Fri 9:00 - 6:00, Sat 11:00 - 4:00, Sun 1:00 - 4:00
Ankeny (Kirkendall) Public Library
1210 NW Prairie Ridge Drive
Ankeny, IA 50021
515-965-6460
www.ci.ankeny.ia.us/library
Mon-Thurs 9:00 – 9:00, Fri & Sat 9:00 – 5:30, Sun 2:00 – 5:00
Clive Public Library
1900 NW 114th St.
453-2221
www.cityofclive.com/departments/library
Mon-Thurs 9:00 - 9:00, Fri 9:00 - 7:00, Sat 9:00 - 5:00, Sun 1 – 5
Des Moines Public Library
Multiple Locations
Des Moines Public Library
1000 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50309
283-4152
http://www.desmoineslibrary.com/
Grimes Public Library
200 N. James
515-986-3551
www.grimes.lib.ia.us
Mon-Thurs 9:00 - 9:00, Friday 9:00 - 6:00, Saturday 9 – 3, Sunday 1 – 4
Johnston Public Library
6700 Merle Hay Rd.
515-278-5233
www.johnstonlibrary.com
Mon-Thurs 10:00 – 8:00, Fri & Sat 10:00 – 5:00, Sun 2:00 – 5:00
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Pkwy
515-222-3400
www.wdm.lib.ia.us
Mon-Thurs 9:00 - 9:00, Fri 9:00 - 6:00, Sat 9:00 - 5:00, Sun 2:00 - 5:00
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