Begin your search for articles and more using the four popular databases linked below. For more information, please check out this page's additional resources:
Library databases can contain:
Another important fact is that you have access to these resources for free. The library pays for these resources, so that you can access the information you need. Information comes in various formats--images, full text articles, eBooks, maps, and building plans. You can find many resources to fit your projects. If you need help locating resources, please ask a librarian.
Most (if not all) of you have used Google to search for information. Google retrieves thousands of websites in a few seconds--how can that be a bad thing? While Google appears to bring millions of websites to your fingertips in a few seconds, for college level research, library databases are the resources to use. Some of the benefits of library databases are:
Before you begin searching, here are some steps you can take to specify your search. These search strategies will be almost completely standard across different databases, and once you learn them here you can apply them to many other databases.
These are the most common search strategies. While they are not complicated, they are extremely helpful in specifying your search terms to find better articles more quickly.
Depending on the database you use to find resources, you can access the library's resources in a variety of formats. Not every article will be available in all formats.
If we likely have access to a resource you will see these formats listed:
Full text or HTML Full Text - this format includes the full text of the article and will contain limited graphics. This is the best choice for fast printing if images are not needed.
Full Text - PDF or PDF Full Text - this is an exact copy of an article as it appeared in print. It will include any graphics, charts, and pictures as they were in the original article. This is great if you need the images and graphics, want to view the article as it originally appeared, or need to download a copy of the PDF version.
Check for Full Text - these contain the citations and a short abstract or summary of the articles, but the full text is not available in the database you are in. The links allow you to see if that article is available full text in another library database.
And if we do not have access to the article:
You may generally print, email or save copies of articles or citations.