How do I search the VSCS Libraries?

There are multiple ways to search for information in an academic library. Three of the most important are the Discovery Search, searching individual databases, and browsing subject-specific resources on Subject Guides. Discovery Search - This is the primary search box you see on the library homepage. The Discovery Search searches across a wide range of resources from different databases that the library subscribes to. You will find physical items (books & DVDs) as well as electronic resources (eBooks; articles from journals, magazines & newspapers; and streaming video) Individual Library Databases - Library databases house eBooks, streaming videos, newspapers, magazines, and journals that the college subscribes to. Some databases are subject-specific and some house sources according to format (e.g. streaming video). Specialized databases often have special tools and features that may be useful to different types of research. Subject & Program Guides - Subject and program guides bring together librarian-recommended resources for different subjects or program areas. In addition to library resources, subject and program guides also include important web resources in a subject area. Searching VSCS Libraries Discovery Search Library Databases Subject & Program Guides The easiest way to search our VSCS Libraries Discovery Search is from the main search box on the library homepage. From there you can limit your search by source type, whether results are peer-reviewed, and by how recent the results are. (For more options, select the Advanced Search link. You can also get to the advanced search from anywhere on the website by going to the Search menu and selecting Discovery Search.) Screenshot of the VSCS Discovery Search box on the library homepage Once you are viewing search results you can further refine your search results. Searching individual databases directly can be a good strategy to limit your results by subject (by using a subject-specific database) or if you are looking for a specific type of source (e.g. newspaper articles are easiest to find and work with in our newspaper-specific databases). You can see the Top Databases the VSCS Libraries subscribes to by selecting the Individual Databases tab of the search box on the library homepage. (Select Browse or search full database list to see all subscribed resources. You can also get to the Database list from anywhere on the website by selecting Databases A-Z in the Find menu) Screenshot of "Individual Databases" tab of the search box on the library homepage. Choosing a Database You can select databases: By Source Type & Format What type of sources do you need? Most library databases house a variety of source types but some house only a specific type of source, like streaming videos, news articles or eBooks. See the Sources of Information section on our Research guide for suggested databases. By Subject Area Some databases house materials on a wide variety of subjects, while others are subject-specific. If you can't find what you need in the Discovery Search or a general subject database, try searching in a collection that is specific to the subject you are researching. You can find recommended databases for different subject areas in our Subject & Program Guides. By Faculty or Librarian Recommendation Ask your faculty member or a librarian for a recommendation. Faculty members are experts in their fields and may be familiar with a specific library database or resource they can recommend. Librarians are database experts and can help you determine which materials are housed in which database. Subject & Program Guides are compiled by VSCS Liaison Librarians to provide recommended databases, specific library resources, and important web resources for different disciplines and program areas. You can find a list of Subject & Program guides under the Subject & Program Guides tab of the search box on the library homepage (or by going to the Find menu and selecting Subject & Program Guides.)