Databases are searchable collections of information from a variety of sources, including magazines, newspapers, reference books, etc. The information you find in database articles is much more reliable than the information you may find on the Web, because it has already been evaluated for inclusion in the original source (the magazine or newspaper in which it originally appeared) and for inclusion in the database.
Access Databases from GRHS Library and Other Computers in the Building:
*To access Electric Library from other computers in the building, you will need to get the user name and password from the library staff.
Trial Databases:
None currently availiable.
Access Databases from Home:
* To access Electric Library, SIRS, and ProQuest Newsstand, you will need to get the user names and passwords from the library staff.
** To access EBSCO and The Gale Group, you will need to get the user names and passwords from the library staff. Or you can use "mnparrow" for the login and your library barcode number for the password. That number is on your library card if you have one (either your high school or public library card), or you can get it from library staff.
Not sure which database will be the best choice for your search?
Here is a description of each, including what kinds of information can be found in each, who the database is intended for, and where the articles included in the database come from.
1. ELECTRIC LIBRARY: Totally full text. This database, designed for the senior high school researcher, contains indexing, abstracting, and full text articles from over 500 magazines and journals, 150 newspapers, and 150 reference books, as well as graphic images from over 15 photographic sources and 7 map sources, and transcripts from over 75 radio and television broadcast programs.
2. SIRS KNOWLEDGE SOURCE (Social Issues Resources Series): Totally full text. This database provides full text articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, and government documents dealing with current issues in society. The articles are ideal for research papers, debate, business and technology, social studies, science, and environmental issues. General subject headings include: Drugs, AIDS, Alcohol, Pollution, Crime, Sports, Religion, Human Rights, Population, and Transportation.
3. EBSCO
Academic Search Premier -- World's largest academic multi-disciplinary database; provides full text for nearly 4,600 scholarly publications, including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage of every area of academic study and information dating as far back as 1975.
Business Source Premier -- Full text business database covering more than 7,400 scholarly business journals, including nearly 1,100 peer-reviewed business publications. Includes virtually all subject areas related to business. Provides full text (PDF) for more than 350 of the top scholarly journals dating as far back as 1922.
Regional Business News -- Full text coverage for regional business publications, including 75 business journals, newspapers and newswires from all metropolitan and rural areas within the United States.
MasterFILE Premier -- Designed specifically for public libraries (and secondary schools); provides full text for more than 2,050 general reference publications dating as far back as 1975. Covering virtually every subject area of general interest, MasterFILE Premier also includes more than 350 full text reference books, 84,606 biographies, 88,463 primary source documents, and an Image Collection of 107,135 photos, maps and flags.
4. PROQUEST NEWSSTAND COMPLETE: This database includes fulltext articles from 250 newspapers, including Minneapolis Star Tribune.
5. GALE GROUP: Many full text articles but not 100%. Look for the word Text below the entry. Citation or Abstract indicates the full text article is not available. This is an index of 10 specialized databases, including:
Junior Edition - K12 -- Designed for students in junior high, this database includes articles from magazines, newspapers, and reference books for information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, sports, and more.
Kid's Edition - K12 -- Designed for elementary students, this database includes articles from magazines, newspapers, and reference books for information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, sports, and more.
Student Edition - K12 --Designed for high school students, this database includes articles from magazines, newspapers, and reference books for information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, sports, and more.
Junior Reference Collection -- A cross-curricular database covering science, biographies, authors, multi-cultural topics, and people and places.
Discovering Collection -- In-depth reference content for the core curriculum areas of Literature, History, Biographies, Science, and Social Studies.
Kids InfoBits -- Designed for the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5, including with information on current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, sports and more.
Consulta -- Spanish-language materials, including reference material from both Gale and Oceano, journals, and primary source documents. Consulta provides a graphic chronological timeline to simplify research of specific eras, plus an extensive image gallery.
Informe -- A collection of hispanic magazines with full text. Covers business, health, technology, culture, current topics and other subjects.
Informe -- (Espaniol | Spanish Interface) Una colección de revistas hispánicas con textos completos. Abarca negocios, salud, tecnología, cultura, temas de actualidad y otras materias.
Professional Collection -- Full Text Periodicals for the Professional Development Collection.
