Using Library Resources to Find Information

When you use the Library's subscription online resources (indexes and databases), you will find articles and data from reputable publications, so you are much more likely to get quality information. ACC subscribes to hundreds of online indexes and other online sources, which lead to articles from thousands of periodicals and reference sources.

Some of indexes or reference sources are general and are useful for almost any topic., e.g., Academic Search Complete or Masterfile Premier. Others are specialized, such as science, business, nursing, etc., e.g., AccessScience or Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL).

Searches can be done by

• Using the Research Shortcuts link if you have a general idea of your topic.
• Using the A-Z List of Resources if you know what resource you want to use.
• Browsing a Subject List of all E-Resources to see what is available for a general subject.
• Going directly to Encyclopedias, Dictionaries or Atlases if you need that kind of reference information.
• If you really want to search the internet rather than indexes or reference sources, you may want to start with the Web Sites Recommended by ACC Librarians listed in our Research Shortcuts.
• Getting helpful information if you are an Off-Campus/Online User.