With kids heading back to school, class reports and papers
can
’t be far behind.
With kids heading back to school, class reports and papers can’t be far behind. Instead of spending hours sifting through the sometimes dubious information you can find on the Internet, why not save time by using the high-quality, easily accessible student databases on the library’s webpage?
Using the library’s databases is easy. First, you’ll want to bookmark the library website at http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/ From here, click on Student Resources under Databases and Research Tools.
Here you’ll find more than a dozen databases that cover a variety of topics. America the Beautiful provides everything most students need for the perennial state reports including history, geography and easy to print maps and photos.
One of the most popular databases is the Biography Resource Center, which includes information on more than 220,000 people from Plato to Jennifer Lopez.
For social studies projects, check out Lands & Peoples which features a global news desk and an electronic atlas, in addition to comprehensive information on countries around the world. Science enthusiasts will want to explore the New Popular Book of Science.
In addition to a sciclopedi and science fact finder, this database includes hands-on science projects, newsbytes, and a skywatch.
Elementary schoolers will have fun searching for information in colorful, easy-to-use databases such as Electric Library Elementary, Kids InfoBits, and Primary Search, which contain information from magazines, books, and newspapers, as well as pictures, maps and even TV and radio transcripts. More information for animal reports can be found in EBSCO Animals.
For older students, the Literature Resource Center, Opposing Viewpoints and the Student Resource Center provide reference book and magazine articles on literature, current issues, history, and many other topics.
Articles from thousands of academic and periodicals are also available in general and specialized newspaper and magazine databases such as General Reference Center and EBSCO Academic Search Elite.
Five online encyclopedias – World Book, Britannica, Grolier Multimedia, New Book of Knowledge, and Funk & Wagnall’s – are also available on the site.
Still want to surf the Net? Save time by using database links to the best websites for your topic.
Since these are subscription databases, you will need your library card number and PIN number to log in. So when you start you back-to-school shopping, drop by the library to get a free card; one of your essential school supplies.
Questions and suggested topics for At the Library, which appears in Tuesday editions, should be directed to Nancy Howe, acting community librarian, at nh***@**********************ca.us or by calling 779-3196. The Morgan Hill Library, located at the corner of Peak and West Main avenues next to City Hall, is open every day but Sunday.
