What are library databases, and how do I access them?
Answer
What is a library database?
An online searchable collection of published and reliable information sources designed to help users efficiently find credible materials for research and learning.
What do they provide?
Library databases provide access to a variety of publication types, including peer-reviewed journal articles, magazines, newspapers, reference books, conference papers, eBooks, and sometimes video and audio recordings. They also include citation information and tools that help you properly reference sources in academic work.
What types of features do they offer?
Advanced subject searches, sorting by relevance/date, citation searching, full-text access to articles, and automated citations for information sources.
How to access library databases to find articles and other information sources?
- Go to the EVC Library home page
- Scroll to the "Search Resources section" and select "Online Articles"
- Once on the A–Z Databases page, select a database
- If off campus, when prompted log in using your EVC student email (e.g., yourname@stu.evc.edu) and your Canvas/Self-Service password to access the collection.
How to know which databases to search based on my topic?
There are two main types: subject-specific (focused on a single area of study) and multi-disciplinary (contains information on a range of disciplines). Multi-disciplinary databases, like Academic Search Complete, can be used for any class on campus. You can filter databases by subject, by going to the Database A-Z page and clicking on "Subjects" from the menu at the top of the page. Select the appropriate subject for your topic and hit the "Search" button to filter the database list.