Libraries update databases to make research easier, faster
By Samantha Watson : April 19th, 2013
At University Libraries, students will notice the catalog and research databases are easier to use thanks to changes made by the librarians.
Now when students search for information in the library catalog, they will not only see books related to the topic, but articles, DVDs, journals and more separated out for easy access. The catalog includes full-page articles from the 10 research databases most used by students.
“What we’re trying to do is eventually incorporate all of the library’s collections into one place for people to search,” said Christine Rigda, associate professor of library administration and coordinator of library systems. “We’re trying to be more expansive and inclusive.”
Upon searching, students can narrow their results, see availability, check books out, and find related courses and professors. Students can see related searches and also add community tags to their searches to make it easier for other students to find materials in the future.
The research databases now are sorted using an expanded subject list, making them easier to find and use. Students will be able to read resource records about the databases that describe them and tell readers whether they have full-text articles and where and when the articles were published.
The UT library catalog can be found at encore.cl.utoledo.edu and the list of research databases is at utmost.cl.utoledo.edu/search/y.