How to Use the Database & Indexes

This site provides searchable access to the indexes, databases and other electronic materials purchased by the University at Albany Libraries.

Off Campus Access

Most Web-based resources listed here are available to affiliated University at Albany users from off campus. This is achieved through the use of a proxy server, which authenticates users to allow access to these resources. See the Off-Campus Access Instructions for more information.

The Search Interface

The search interface offers three options for retrieving these resources:

1. Title search: You can type part or all of a database title to retrieve what you want, e.g., EBSCO. Searches are not case sensitive.

Two search types are available:

• Title Keywords: This option is the default and will retrieve all database titles containing the the words you have typed. For example, if you enter "music" you will retrieve "International Index to Music Periodicals" and other titles that contain the word "music." The more specific your search, the better your chance of locating the title you are looking for.
• Exact Title (from start of title): This option will retrieve all database titles that begin with the words you type. For example, if you type "art," you will retrieve "Art Index," and other titles beginning with the word "art" such as "ArticleFirst."
2. Alphabetical browse: When you click on a letter of the alphabet, all the resources with titles starting with that letter will be retrieved.
3. Subject and Type search: You may select a subject in combination with a document type to retrieve a results list. There are five items in the drop-down menu representing document types:
• Key Resources: These are titles considered to be primary resources in their subject as assigned by University Library bibliographers.
• Dissertations: Any resource that provides indexing of dissertations or access to the full text. Examples include Digital Dissertations and America: History and Life.
• Fulltext Resources: Indicates if a database consists of full text documents or text. This may include full text journal articles, a reference work, directory, dictionary, encyclopedia, statistical or financial database, etc.
• Indexes/Databases: An index or other database will be retrieved. An index is a resource that contains citations, and sometimes abstracts, to materials that must be retrieved elsewhere. Exampless are ERIC, PsycInfo, and Sociological Abstracts. Aggregator sources that include some indexing will also be retrieved. For example, EBSCO Academic Search Premier contains a combination of indexing and full text.
• Newspapers: Resources containing citations to newspaper articles or the full text of newspaper articles. Examples include National Newspaper Index and LexisNexis.
• Numeric: Resources containing statistical and numerical data will be retrieved. This might be census or trade data, company financial reports, poll results, etc.
• Online Journal Collections: Resources containing links to sites that provide access to multiple online journals. Examples include JSTOR and ScienceDirect.
• All resources: Every resource assigned to the selected subject will be retrieved.

Search Results

Results are in tabular format. This is an example of a results row:

Each column is explained below, from left to right:

Resource title: Most resources are located on the Web. When you click on the hyperlinked title, you will be taken to its Web location. Titles that are not hyperlinked are on CD-ROM. These are indicated with the notation "[CD-ROM]" at the end of the title. CD-ROMs are available in the individual library indicated by the colored icon.

About: All indexes and databases are accompanied by an About file. Each contains such information as a resource description, dates of coverage, the frequency of updates, and whether the resource is full text. Other information may include restrictions on the number of simultaneous users, password instructions, location notes, etc.

Help: A number of vendors offer Help files on the Web for their products. These Help files contain instructions on how to search the resource and retrieve results.

Icons: Icons represent access information. The table below explains each one.

Prohibited Activities

Attempts to download an entire database are prohibited by the license agreement between the publishers of these journals and the State University of New York at Albany.

It is prohibited to make print or electronic copies for redistribution to non-subscribers or non-subscribing institutions. Web activity is monitored by individual publishers and violation of the licensing agreement could result in cancellation of this service.