An online database is a collection of information that has been arranged in a particular order making access possible. The online databases available on the WHS library page offer collections of magazines, newspapers, and more. Some online databases are free to the public, such as CNN. Visitors may search the CNN site and read or print the articles available. Many online databases charge a fee, such as The New York Times for articles in its Premium Archives.
The library at Wareham High School provides free access to several online databases of magazine and newspaper articles. You may also access these databases from home from the SEMLS (Southeastern Massachusetts Library System) page. Enter your Wareham Free Library card barcode number (back side of the card) and your pin (the last four numbers of your phone number).Infotrac consists of a group of databases such as Contemorary Literary Criticism, Discovering Collection, Prompt and others. When you enter the Infotrac site you will see a list of the databases and a description what the databases offer.
Select a tutorial from the list below to learn how to use the databases.
Infotrac
In this lesson you will learn how to use a collection of online databases called Infotrac. It contains more than one database and covers a wide variety of topics including authors lives and criticism of their work, current events, business, and health.
This is a list of a few of the databases offered in Infotrac. Notice the description of the database under its title. Take a look at the main page of Infotrac to see the other databases listed. Use "Getting to Know Infotrac" to help you.
Getting to Know Infotrac
- Go to the library home page and find Infotrac listed on the Online Databases page. If you are at home go to Access from Home located on the Online Databases page
- Take a look at the list of databases offered by Infotrac.
- Which databases could you choose if you were looking for newspapers or magazines?
- Which of the databases would be a good source of information for health class?
- Go to the database called "Student Edition". Select this database to do a practice search.
- Take a look at the list of options in the blue panel on the left side of the screen.
- Type your search words. Before you hit enter or search, place a check mark next to the words "to articles with text". It is located under the search box. Doing this will ensure that you get the full text of the article.
- If you wish to print, go to the print icon in the blue margin to the left of the screen. This will give you a clean copy.
- Note that with some searches, you will be given the option of narrowing your topic. This is a good way to find information on exactly what you need.
To Print
- You may print by going to the print button to the left on the blue border or going to the end of the page and selecting browser print.
- If you wish to save to a disk you may do so at this screen. (File, save as, select drive a)
- If you wish to e-mail the article check the end of the article's page for details.
Searching MassCat
MassCat is a web-based catalog of library materials owned by members of the five Massachusetts Library Regions. The five Massachusetts Regional Library Systems and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners fund MassCat. Wareham High School is a member of SEMLS (Southeastern Massachusetts Library System). Access MassCat from the WHS Library Home Page.
When you get to the home page, you'll find the MassCat link in the third row second column.
- The Wareham High School Library collection is available via the Web.
- Students and faculty may borrow books, and other materials from over 100 MassCat member libraries.
- The Wareham High School Library catalog is searchable from home, allowing students and teachers to locate materials at any time.
- Students and faculty have access to resources in school, public, hospital, law, museum and other types of libraries.
The main search screen allows simple and advanced searches. Notice the box on the right called Scoping In. If you wish to search for books in the WHS Library catalog, leave it set to "My Library" or "Wareham High School Library" if you are at home.
In the search area, explore the drop box to the right of the search box. You will find that searches may be done for title, author, ISBN (International Standard Book Number), and a variety of additional choices.
If you wish to borrow a book from a library other than Wareham High School, see the librarian at WHS.
Newspapers and Newsbank
Includes the The Boston Globe, The Herald, The Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angelos Times, Union-News (Springfield, Ma), Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA). The Cape Cod Times is available for school access but not for home access. .
Twayne's Author Series
This is an excellent place to look for literary criticism on works by American, World, and young adult authors.
To Information Literacy Main Page
THIS PAGE BY Cynthia Tobojka Updated September 17, 2004.