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LIBRARY DATABASES

Databases available at the Library and from Home

FUNDING FOR THE DATABASES

Funding is provided by a variety of agencies: the Minuteman Library Network, the Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

And the Winchester Public Library purchases these databases:

  • Bloom's Literary Reference Online
  • Boston Globe (Newsbank Electronic Image Editions )
  • Daily Life America
  • Daily Life Through History
  • Facts on File History Online (covers Ancient & Medieval, American and World History)
  • HeritageQuest Online (for genealogy)
  • Historical New York Times
  • Learning Express Library (practice tests and tutorials)
  • ReferenceUSA (for business)
  • Science Resource Center
  • Winchester Star

    You must be a Winchester resident to access the databases purchased by the Winchester Public Library.

WHAT IS A LIBRARY DATABASE?

Library databases contain information from published works in which the facts have been checked -- for example, from magazine and newspaper articles,encyclopedias and other reference books.Library databases often contain full-text articles that you can print or email. Library databases are searchable by Keywords, Subject, Author, Magazine Title, Date, etc. Library databases provide citation information: Author, -- Title -- Publication information -- Date of Publication.Like websites, library databases are available 24/7. However, database articles are taken from published sources; their content is identical to the original printed magazine, newspaper or encyclopedia article. Therefore they may be used as books or magazines would be used and are not considered general "internet sources" for school reports.

Library databases are paid for by taxpayer dollars.


HOW IS A LIBRARY DATABASE DIFFERENT
FROM A WEBSITE?

Databases:Websites:
Get their information from professionals or experts in the field.Can be written by anyone regardless of expertise.
Contain published works where facts are checked.Have content that is not necessarily checked by an expert.
Are easy to cite in a bibliography and may create the citation for you.Often do not provide the information necessary to create a complete citation.
Can help you narrow your topic or suggest related subjects.Often are not organized to support student research needs.
Are updated frequently and include the date of publication.May not indicate when a page is updated.

The information above that describes databases is adapted from the Hennepin County Library website's Reference and Research page.


TROUBLESHOOTING DATABASE ACCESS

If you have trouble accessing a database at home, and you use a firewall, try disabling the firewall for the time you are using the database. Remember to enable the firewall when you're through using the database! For additional troubleshooting tips, click the Minuteman Library Network's home access page and scroll down to the section titled "Having trouble ..."


 

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Copyright © 2007Winchester Public Library. All rights reserved. Revised: 2008-06-12