While learning how to research various topics using library databases, a group of students couldn't figure out whether the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1985 or 1986.

"It says here that it exploded in January of 1986," Dawn Amsberry, reference and instruction librarian, said to the students. "Some of us may remember this."

Ironically, they all did.

The Paterno Library hosted "Research in a Nutshell for Adult Learners" on Tuesday night in the Mann Assembly Room to inform adults on how to navigate the library's online resources.

The library sponsored the presentation but pamphlets were also provided to the class by a grant provided to the library by the Commission for Adult Learners. A flashdrive was also provided by the commission to be raffled off at the end of the class.

Attendees included an adult Penn State student, multiple Penn State employees, and even a retired librarian.

"Our students should take more advantage of these resources," Judy Speedy, a State College resident, said. "Librarians are wonderful too, if you take advantage of them."

The class, instructed by Amsberry, began navigating the Web at the library homepage and viewed multiple useful databases such as ProQuest, Education Resources Information

Center (ERIC), and the library catalog, often referred to as the CAT.

After researching topics recommended by attendees, the class was able to view full texts of journals and periodicals and ways to overview desired books.

"It's just a couple of clicks, but once you've done it, it all becomes clear," Amsberry said to the class.

The adults were especially excited to hear that a lot of the work that used to be done by hand can now be done online. They even cheered when learning that bibliographies can now be done online.

"We've taken all the leg work out of this," Amsberry said, "but you occasionally might have to come in."

The class brought up many questions including how to have books sent in from other libraries and how to differentiate between journals and periodicals.

Overall, the class left glad that they attended.

"Those of us with common everyday interests, we have the opportunity to research too," Speedy said, adding that today's resources are much easier than having to locate books or journals, which often had pages torn out. Her husband, Bill Speedy, also a resident of State College, agreed.

"Now you don't have to worry about ripped pages," he said, laughing.