Guide for Citing Print & Online Sources

Introduction to NoodleTools

 About NoodleTools
  • NoodleTools consists of the NoodleBib software, plus citation/bibliography help. Use NoodleBib to keep  lists of  research sources & format a bibliography correctly. NoodleBib can also be used to organize and save notecards online for a research project or essay.
  • NoodleBib lists are stored on the NoodleTools web site and can be accessed at home or at school.
  • NoodleBib offers a suggested format for an in-text citation (based on the bibliographical entry) but NoodleBib does not format footnotes.
  • NoodleTools Help features include a database of FAQs on citation and bibliography, tips on selecting research sources and suggestions for teachers on teaching citation and bibliography skills.
Getting Started
  • Go to Library Services > Online Resources > Other Resources and click on the NoodleTools link (for Chapin users only).
  • Create a Personal ID & password so you can save the "source lists" (bibliographies) and notecards for various research projects in your personal folder. Select "link to library or school subscription" & use the Chapin log-in to create a Personal ID. Students should include their year of graduation with their last name in their Personal ID.
  • Log in with your Personal ID (not the Chapin log-in) after  the first time.
  • NoodleBib offers either MLA- or APA-style bibliography formatting; Chapin US students should select Advanced MLA Style.

Compiling a Bibliography in NoodleBib
  • NoodleBib uses a series of questions to help you compile and correctly format a bibliography for different types of sources. It works for many kinds of print and online sources, including images, articles from databases, and even blog postings.
  • Start by creating a new (bibliography) List or opening an existing List in the "My Lists" section. Clicking on a Source List title takes you to the "Bibliography" page to create a citation for each source you are using.
  • Select the type of source from the dropdown menu & click "Create Citation" button. Follow the prompts and suggestions for entering the available information for the citation; click "Check for Errors" button to have the software check for common errors; & click "Generate Citation" to save the entry.
  • After entering the citation information on all your sources, you can print the bibliography, export it to Word, share it with your teacher, e-mail it to yourself or someone else. Meanwhile, you can also use NoodleBib's "Notecard" feature to take notes & save your notes online.

Using Notecards in NoodleBib
  • Notecards are usually linked to a source already entered in your bibliography list: in the "Bibliography" section, just click "New" under Notecards (to the right of the citation). To enter notes not linked to any source, go to Notecards section and click "New Notecard" button.
  • Notecards have separate, color-coded boxes for Quotation, Paraphrase, and My Ideas -- helping you to distinguish between your own words and those of a source.
  • Notecards can be organized two ways: identified by a "cluster" title (corresponding to a section of your essay or project) or be given "tags" (important topic keywords or ideas).  Your notecards will be displayed as a "cluster" in the "Notecards" section and you can also do a search of the notecards by the "tags".
  • Notecards can also be printed, pasted into Word, e-mailed or shared with a teacher.

Sharing NoodleBib work
  • NoodleBib allows students to share their bibliography and notecard "lists" with a teacher or librarian. Ask your teacher for the Class Name that has been set up for your class or section and then go to the "My Lists" tab, select the list to be shared and click "Share".
  • Teachers wanting to enable the Sharing feature should go to the "My Lists" tab, click the "Sharing Setup" button, and follow the prompts. Please check with a librarian if you want help with this feature.


Compiled by Ms. Lutz, last updated 13 December 2007.