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How to Find Articles

How to Find Books

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).