NOVEL Databases

A presentation for high school teachers and administrators

This product was supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System.

Your NameYour School

Date

Welcome

Please introduce yourself and share one goal you have for this workshop.

You will learn… To successfully access NOVEL databases To choose specific databases for your

information need To use special features to narrow and refine

their searches The benefits of accessing online databases

Workshop Agenda

Welcome and Introductions Who are we and what do we want to learn?

The NOVEL Databases What are these databases and how do I search

them? Types of Resources and Information

What information do they contain to support the curriculum?

Wrap-Up How can I use NOVEL databases with my students?

Have you ever wondered? How can I find reliable health information on

teen obesity?

Where can my students find information on the moral implications of stem cell research?

Where can I find good primary sources for my unit on World War II?

NOVEL

The New York State Online Virtual

Electronic Library

NOVEL Databases An electronic collection of books, e-journals, full-text

magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and other databases licensed on a statewide basis for free public access through local libraries and remote locations such as home, school, and office A source of high-quality, reliable, up-to-date information

available only through licensing/subscription (not available free on the Internet).

Levels the playing field for all New Yorkers by permitting individuals to share access to the same resources regardless of economic, geographic, or physical circumstances.

NOVEL Databases Business & Company Resources Center —global business information including over 300,000 companyprofiles, Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) —contains full-text entries found in nine searchableonline reference titles focusing on health and history.These reference titles include Gale Encyclopedia ofAlternative Medicine, Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer, GaleEncyclopedia of Genetic Disorders, Gale Encyclopedia ofMedicine, Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health,American Revolution Reference Library, American Civil WarReference Library, Major Acts of Congress, and HistoryBehind the Headlines.

General Science Collection —provides information on all aspects of the scientificworld and offers full-text coverage for more than 60 ofthe most popular science publications.

Health and Wellness Resource Center — a sourcefor both medical care professionals and consumersconcerning important current health information.full text of over 650 journals and many reference services

Informé Revistas en Español — specificallydesigned to meet the research needs of Spanish speakingUsers; 40 full text Spanish languageand bilingual magazine journals, reports andmaps; a total of over 75,000 articles are updated daily.

InfoTrac Custom Newspapers — offers over 150full text newspapers including New York Statenewspapers and the New York Times full text for thecurrent year.

InfoTrac Junior — especially designed for juniorhigh and middle schools. It features hundreds of titlesmost critical to school libraries and the curriculum.This database includes hundreds of full text newspaperarticles from the Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service andmore than 300 full color Rand McNally maps.

.

National Newspaper Index — provides indexing(1977—present) of America’s top five newspapers;the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christian ScienceMonitor, Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post.

Primary Search via Searchasaurus—designedspecifically for the young researcher, it contains fulltext for more than 60 popular, elementary schoolmagazines. All full text articles are assigned a readinglevel. It also features 30 full text student referencebooks, including Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia and theAmerican Heritage Dictionary. An image collectioncontains over 100,000 photos, maps and flags inaddition to full text access to the Encyclopedia ofAnimals.

Topic Search — This current events database allowsresearchers to explore social, political and economicissues, scientific discoveries and other topics. There isfull text for over 64,000 articles and more than 3,000diverse sources, including international and regionalnewspapers.

Twayne’s Author Series — features the content ofover 600 books that comprise three print series—United States Authors, English Authors and WorldAuthors. This series is devoted to literary criticalinterpretation and discussion for readers ranging fromhigh school students through college and above.

MasterFILE Select — contains full text for nearly

750 periodicals covering general reference, business,

health, education, general science, multicultural issues

and much more. This resource also includes full text

for more than 1,200 pamphlets, 40 reference books,

6,900 Magill Book Reviews and includes Essential

Documents in American History—U.S. Constitution,

Speeches and more.

Your students are doing an author study . They need to locate criticisms and biographical information.

Let’s start with Twayne’s Author Series…

Twayne’s Author Series

Features the content of over 600 books that comprise three print series— United States Authors, English Authors and World Authors.

This series is devoted to literary critical interpretation and discussion for readers ranging from high school students through college and above.

MasterFile Select Collect screen captures of search Point out:

articles with images text with graphics Lexiles Print/save/email

MasterFILE Select — contains full text for nearly750 periodicals covering general reference, business,health, education, general science, multicultural issuesand much more. This resource also includes full textfor more than 1,200 pamphlets, 40 reference books,6,900 Magill Book Reviews and includes EssentialDocuments in American History—U.S. Constitution,Speeches and more.

Let’s look at another search ---on immigration

How does NOVEL compare to searching on Google?

What’s the difference between Google and the NOVEL databases?Internet Anyone can publish – no evaluation

Is free to everyone Is targeted to adults

Uses key words

Cannot limit by reading level

NOVEL Databases Contains up-to-date, reliable

information -- magazines, newspapers, and encyclopedia articles…– authoritative sources

Is free to NYS citizens Has specially designed searching

screens and databases for children and young adults

Uses key words and controlled vocabulary (subject headings) to help uses find what they want

Some databases can be limited by reading level

How to Access NOVEL Databases

IMPORTANT: Type in the local information on how to access NOVEL databases via public and/or school libraries including the URL, IDs and Passwords

Reminder: The access information is on the NOVEL brochure you received as a handout

Go home and try this yourself:Hand-outs to help you search NOVEL

You are a 9th grade student learning about African American literature. You have chosen to research the author, Langston Hughes. (Hint: Check out the Twayne’s Author Series)

Your class is having a debate on the pros and cons of wearing school uniforms. You need to limit your research to school issues/policies in New York State (Hint: Go to Custom Newspapers)

What you have learned

To successfully access NOVEL databases

To choose specific databases for your information need

To use special features to narrow and refine their searches

The benefits of accessing online databases

Wrap-Up

What curriculum units are best to integrate NOVEL Databases?

What challenges exist? What are the next steps?

Thank-You!

Email me with your questions (add your email address here)