UMS Library
At the UMS library, students are encouraged use the library to become socially responsible independent learners who read for both information and pleasure.
Your UMS Librarian
Krista Ruud, Librarian
Urbana Middle School Library
1201 S. Vine Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-384-3685
Twitter: @UMS_Library
The UMS Online Catalogue: Destiny
Click here for access to Destiny
Recommended Readings
Digital Library Resources
See the UMS Librarian to obtain user IDs and passwords for home access.
Brief, reliable information on all topics from the publishers of The World Book Encyclopedia. Click the heading above for access.
A general information database for research. Great for finding magazine and newspaper articles on a wide array of subjects. Click the heading above for access.
A reference library of digital books covering many topics. Great for detailed, reliable information in literature, history, politics, science, religion, etc. Click the heading above for access.
Searching the Internet and Evaluating Your Results
There are several ways to search the internet and some basic guidelines for checking out your results.
Alternatives to Google
DuckDuckGo – A search engine that doesn’t track and sell your search information.
Exalead – A metasearch (combines several engines) engine worth checking out.
Dogpile – Another metasearch engine. that doesn’t track and sell your search information.
Evaluating Web Results
The CRAP Test – A handy and basic tool for considering the validity of a website (first developed by Molly Beestrum).
UC Berkeley Evaluating Resources – A university guide from the University of California at Berkeley.
Citing Your Sources