Distance Learning Students Page - Library Resources

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Introduction to Using Resources

Below are links and information for accessing materials, including books and articles. In order to obtain materials, you will first need a BCC library card.

Your card has a barcode on the back which is your password to accessing articles from our Periodical Index Databases and books from our Public Access Catalog. Simply enter the number beginning with 2739100....

For Articles: Once you have logged into our Periodical Index Databases, using the bar code on the back of your library card, you will be able to search for, retrieve and print out articles from your home internet connection.

For Books: In order to order books, you will not only need your BCC library card, but you will need to create a Personal Identification Number, or PIN. The Using the PAC brochure below offers a step-by-step guide to doing this. Please be aware that you can not use a public library card if you wish books to be sent to any academic library. You can use another current academic card from a CW/Mars member library to order books. Colleges who participate in the CW/Mars system include MCLA, STCC, HCC, AIC, Elms and GCC.

Databases - This is where you go to search for articles. Click here if you wish to go to our login page to access our Periodical Index Databases from offsite. You will need a BCC library card to access these databases. To learn how to use databases click here for brochures.

Databases are listed in alphabetical order. There are two lists. The annotated A-Z list provides descriptions of the databases, and allows you to search each database separately. Certain databases, such as Lexis Nexis and medical databases such as Medline and Cinahl are best searched individually and accessed from this page. The Annotated A-Z list is the best list to begin with. The new OneSearch A-Z list also allows you to search each database separately by clicking its name, but also permits you to search different databases together with one common interface "find" box. While this may be more convenient when searching multiple databases at the same time, there is more of a chance that you will be timed out and your search may be incomplete. The best way to know which database, and even which list to use, is to try all options and to be flexible. The more you use the periodical index databases, the more expert you will become at searching these.

While we have many database providers, most of our databases come from two companies, EbscoHost and Thomson/Gale. (Infotrac) The Ebscohost database templates all look like this. It includes a find box for searching and allows you to decide whether you want full text or scholarly articles. (To read more, click here for the Ebsco database brochure):

Most, but not all of the Thomson Gale databases look like this: It includes a find box for searching and allows you to decide whether you want full text or scholarly articles.(To read more, click here for the Thomson Gale database brochure).

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Public Access Catalog - To find books, click here to enter the BCC Online Public Access Catalog, the online catalog of all the books in our collection.

A Public Access Catalog provides a record of every item in the collection of a library, and where on the shelf that item is located. As we are part of the CW/MARS system, you can also look at the Online Public Access Catalogs of a number of academic and most public libraries throughout central and western Massachusetts. Click here for a brochure on how to use the PAC and how to set up an account or PIN. A PIN will allow you to order books from libraries to be sent to your academic library. You will also be able to track your circulation activity and see which books you have out, which might have fines, and the processing of any book requests you have made. In order to borrow books, you will need a BCC library card. You will also need to pick up your book at an academic library. (Not a public library).

In addition to BCC's Jonathan Edwards Library, and the CW/MARS member library catalogs, you can also search the Virtual Catalog, a state-wide catalog of libraries in all regions. This catalog includes the holdings of some of the University of Massachusetts campuses, as well as those of State Colleges such as Salem State and Westfield State College. To access the Virtual Catalog site, click here. You should use the Virtual Catalog only after a search has failed to yield results through the CW/MARS collections.

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Brochures

Using Databases Brochures(Periodical Index Databases): To Find Articles

Accessing EbscoHost Databases Brochure

Accessing Gale Thomson/Infotrac Databases Brochure

Accessing Science Database Brochure

Using Lexis Nexis

Accessing the New OneSearch system Brochure
This gateway will eventually become our new database interface. OneSearch is a federated or combined database gateway that lets you search databases, our Online Public Access Catalog and selected websites together with one interface. You will still be able to search individual databases separately, and infact, this is advisable if you are searching our medical databases, such as Medline and Cinahl, or a couple of other databases such as Lexis Nexis. One Search can not be used to search non-article databases, such as the Credo Reference Database, Grove Art and Facts and File's Science Database. As of 1/3/08, the Public Access Catalog functionality on OneSearch was not stable, so it would be best to also try searching the PAC alone. The OneSearch A-Z list looks like this.

Using the PAC Brochure: To Find Books

Accessing The New Public Access Catalog Interface Brochure -
The Jonathan Edwards Catalog has a whole new look.

Research and Evaluation Brochures

Basic Research Brochure

Evaluating Websites and Constructing Search Strategies

The WWW Brochures

Using Search Engines

Evaluating Websites and Constructing Search Strategies

Citing Sources - A link to our informational web page

Citations - A BCC website page that provides information, tutorials and citation generators.

Search Engines - A link to our informational web page

Search Engines - A BCC website page that provides links to search engines, tutorials and evaluative criteria for assessing websites. For a brochure for effective internet searching click here.

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Pre and Post Tests

These tests are used to measure student learning in the area of information literacy. We are currently administering these test to land students. The online version is still under construction.

Library Pre-test - to be taken by English 101 students.

Library Post-test - to be taken by English 102 students.

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©K Carreras-Hubbard