Saturday, March 21, 2015

Databases & Reference Links





Databases & Reference Links


The Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries subscribe to many databases and electronic resources which provide library users with excellent information.  The word database, according to the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, refers to “a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer.”  Many libraries subscribe to databases offered by commercial vendors, because the information contained in them is considered to be more reliable than information that one might find just anywhere on the Internet.
To access the library’s databases from your home or office computer, go to the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries website at http://www.martinsburg.lib.wv.us. Click on the word “e-Resources” on the menu bar close to the top of the page, and from the drop-down menu, click on the word “databases.”
On the next page, you will find databases and web-links listed categorically under headings such as Genealogy, Educational Pursuits, History, Legal Resources, Periodicals, Readers Advisory, etc.  Click on the category which will be most helpful for your research.
Within the category you chose, there will be a list of links to databases and library-selected websites. Choose one that you desire to access, and click on the name of it. A welcome page should appear on the screen.  For subscription databases, you will be prompted to enter the 14-digit library card number that is printed on the back of your library card. Do not include spaces (for example: 32100001237856).  You should now be able to access the information in your selected database. If prompted for a username and password, then please contact your library for that information.
As mentioned earlier, these databases and web-links were carefully selected and included on the library website because they are considered reliable.  The criteria that one should evaluate for reliability include accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and scope of coverage.  The library cares about your information needs and wants to provide you with the best information available!




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