LAUSD offers a free, digital research library designed for the high school level. Some advantages include:

• Curated - Articles are limited in scope and have been checked for accuracy: decreased need to worry about poor quality information.
• Free - Curated databases often have associated charges for usage. LAUSD offers this service to help prepare students for higher education, since many colleges and universities offer similar services. 
• Available from almost anywhere:
  • On campus - Any browser based device that is connected to the internet via the school's network can access this database.
  • Off campus - Any browser based device can connect, if you have a school email account.
• Provides the reference listing (work cited) in one or more formats such as MLA, APA, and perhaps others.

When doing research, check the digital library first:

1. Goto: www.lausd.net
2. Click on the green Students button
3. Click on Student Tools & Resources link
4. Click on Digital Library link
5. Choose your database and begin researching

When doing research form home:

1. Goto: www.lausd.net
2. Click on the green Students button
3. Click on Student Tools & Resources link
4. Click on Digital Library link
5. Lon in using your user name and password (LAUSD email address/password)
6. Choose your database and begin researching

Guidelines for a general search engine (such as Google)

• Limit the amount of words you type into the search bar
• Skim through as many results as possilbe
• Go past the first page, or even the first 10 pages

For ALL kinds of web research:

• Make sure to keep careful notes of all the sources you are finding:
  • URLs
  • Summary
  • Relevance
• Prepare to create a citation list (MLA, APA, etc.)
• Keep researching until you find what you need