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Some tips for finding resources and doing your own researchThe internet offers a dizzying amount of information, and if you've stumbled across this page, you probably have access to it. Here we've provided a guide to finding and evaluating the best sources of information in print and electronically. Cincinnati also happens to have one of the best public library systems in the country, as well as one of the best botanical libraries, so we also have a bit of information for finding information through the library. Using the library: Even if you live in Northern Kentucky or just outside of Hamilton County, you still have access to the books and databases offered at all of libraries in the greater Cincinnati area. If there's a certain book you're looking for, you can go to worldcat.org, enter your ZIP code, and the catalog will find the copy of the book closest to where you are. Because of an agreement between libraries in this region, you may use any library in greater Cincinnati, including special libraries, university libraries, and more. Just bring your library card into the library you want to check out and tell them you want a SWON libraries card. You can find out more about it here. Because this seems to be a pretty convenient way to find a wide variety of print sources for free, we linked book titles to their WorldCat page. Once you get in the library, you can use any of their databases. Most public libraries offer an array of great research resources. You can find Cincinnati's public libraries' databases here. They also offer a list of health and medical databases. Make sure to check out Consumer Health Complete- it offers evaluated information in plain English and includes herb and "alternative medicine" information. If you're interested in herbal medicine, be sure to stop in the Lloyd Library. It's one of the best libraries of natural history, botanical, pharmaceutical, and medicinal information in the world and it's in downtown Cincinnati. They're located at 917 Plum Street. You can call at 513-721-3107. Using the internet: Please use your own discretion when deciding what internet resources to trust and what not to trust. If you know how to think critically, this should be a no-brainer. Think about peoples' motives for putting information online, cross-check any information with what other folks are saying, and make sure the information is up-to-date. The internet can be one of the best places to find zines. Cincinnati doesn't have a zine library or a substantial collection (if there is one, please let us know!), although you can find a limited selection at the Village Green in Northside, where the health collective is based. You can find many of them on the internet for free or a low cost. Check out zinelibrary.net for a plethora of free zines. If you have anything more to add, please contact us!
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