Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

Troubleshooting Access to E-Resources

Software such as Google Web Accelerator, which uses a proxy server, may need to be disabled so that your access to licensed resources is recognized by our vendors.

For more information about our proxy server, see the Off-campus Online Access page.

Find Resources by Name

  1. Enter a word(s) contained in the resource title.
    (Optional) Use either * or ? to replace one or more characters at the end of a search term (e.g., chem* or chem?).
  2. Click on GO.
    (Optional) Limit your search to only those resources which are open to everyone (free internet resources.)
    (Optional) Use the alphabet to browse databases by title.

Find Resources by Subject

  1. Select a subject area under BY SUBJECT to see a list of resources by subject categories. A database can be listed in more than one sub-category.
  2. Then choose a SUB-CATEGORY on the right and click on GO.
    • Each SUBJECT includes an INTRODUCTORY RESOURCES sub-category selected by librarians as a starting point for non-majors in that subject area.
    • A SUBJECT sub-category may include a short list of CORE resources followed by MORE resources.
    • A SUBJECT may also include sub-categories of specialized REFERENCE resources.
    • Each SUBJECT has an ALL category, which is a combined list of all resources in a subject's sub-categories.
    • Ignore the CORE and MORE headings in the ALL list.
  3. Note: The SUBJECT of REFERENCE has sub-categories which are sources such as:
    • Almanacs/yearbooks
    • Biographies
    • Data/Statistics
    • Dictionaries
    • Directories
    • Dissertations
    • Encyclopedias
    • Grants/Funding
    • Libraries/Catalogs
    • Maps/Atlases
    • Patents

Find Resources by More Options

Select one or more boxes as desired during a search.

  • Use BY TITLE to look for a word in a resource name.
  • Use RESOURCE VENDOR to look for vendor name (such as Proquest).
  • Use BY SUBJECT to limit your search to any resource in any sub-category of within that subject.
  • Enter word(s) in ANY WORD to find any words within a resource title or description.
  • Use TYPE to limit your search to a resource type. Every resource has been designated a TYPE, but can only have one type associated with it:
    • Almanacs/yearbooks
    • Article Database - Some resources with this TYPE contain more than articles, such as government documents.
    • Dissertations
    • E-book and E-texts
    • Images and Sound
    • Library and Catalog - Campus and other libraries' web sites can be found here, as well as MadCat and WorldCat.
    • Patents and Standards
    • Reference Resources - Directories, Encyclopedias
    • Statistics and Data
    • Subject Gateway - Subject Guides

Search in MetaLib

  • Use the glass Magnifying Glass to search a database with METALIB. METALIB is a simple interface that can be used to search a variety of resources. This option is available only for some of our resources at this time.
    (Optional) Click the resource name to search the database directly (i.e, using its native interface). A resource's native interface will provide the most powerful and customized search options within a resource.
  • To display a full record from a METALIB results list, click on the article title. A single record can be saved or emailed using the SAVE or EMAIL icons within the full record display.
  • What resource is best for your needs?
    Use Subject subcategories to identify the most appropriate resource for your subject area. Look for CORE databases in a subcategory. Then use the info Resource Details link next to each title in the list to read about its scope.
  • Need help with how to use a database?
    Find a GUIDE in the info Resource Details next to its title in the list of resources.
  • Can't find a particular database or other resource?
    Use the More Options feature. Search for a word(s) in the resource name or description. Combine that search with optional additional searches by type of resources (article database, e-book, etc). Some resources do not reside in any sub-category and can only be found using More Options.
  • Need help with a database?