WEST DDF RESEARCH GUIDE

Physical Collections: (At each site, note the databases, subject directories, and/or pathfinders available to you.)

• ASD OPAC: http://dewey.asdk12.org/ (Use “ASD” for your “User ID” in order to search all District holdings)
• APL OPAC: http://www.anchoragelibrary.org/
  One-stop shopping here: You are searching AML, UAA, ARLIS, AMHA, as well as several South-Central campuses.
• UAA OPAC: http://lib.uaa.alaska.edu/
  Note that if you do not have a UAA login most of the databases are available only on campus (Lexis/Nexis Legal—full text here).

Searchable Databases:

• State Library Digital Pipeline: www.sled.alaska.edu/databases
  Read the database description (MasterFile Premier, Acadmeic Search Primier are good sources. Contact
  librarian for passwords if needed).
  --APL: www.anchoragelibrary.org (Gale Resource Center, InfoTrac, netLibrary, ADN archives).

Periodicals:

• EBSCO Master File Premier: Link here. Full text and bibliographic searches of magazines including The Economist, The Nation, Atlantic Monthly, Harpers, and more.
• EBSCO Academic Premier: Link here. Full text searches or academic/peer-reviewed sources.
• EBSCO Newspaper Source: Link here. Full text access to Newpapers worldwide.
• InfoTrac Newspaper Index: Link here. Full text searches through Anchorage Public Library (need library card).
• Find Articles: www.findarticles.com. Search for magazine articles on the web.

Electronic Books:

• InfoTrac E-books at West: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/anch99517 (Contact librarian for password)
• Oxford Premium Reference: Link here.

Subject Directories:

• Librarian’s Internet Index: www.lii.org
• NetTrekker: http://school.nettrekker.com/frontdoor
• Infomine: http://infomine.ucr.edu
• Internet Public Library: www.ipl.org

Specific Sites:

Internet Miscellany:

• Library of Congress website: www.loc.gov
  Portal for Thomas (legislation information online); American Memory (collection of Am. History resources online);
  LOC catalogs (help for a literature search and identifying subject headings)
• NARA (the National Archives online): www.archives.gov
• Federal Statistics: www.fedstats.gov
• FirstGov (US Gov. portal): www.firstgov.gov
• Pew/Internet: www.pewinternet.org/index.asp
• United Nations Stats. Div.: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/default.htm 

Search Tips:

• Search by phrase (“…”).
• Search by multiple terms (+… +… +…).
• Develop a list of synonyms (keywords, subject headings)
• Too many hits: narrow the search (more, more specific terms).  Too few hits: broaden the search (fewer, more general terms).
• On web searches if you don’t find something within the first two pages reformat your search
• Use “advanced search” (where you’re confident)
• There is no such thing as “one-stop shopping” when it comes to information.
• Question your sources.
• When in doubt ask a librarian.

West HS Library Sept. 2008