Quality Online Libraries

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by me again, Mar 2, 2003.

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  1. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Are there any quality online libraries where up-to-date professional journals can be accessed in full text?

    I just signed up for Questia for a trial run, but have found most of their books to be extremely old. The journals weren't quite as outdated, with the newest journals being published in 1999 (but that's still too old and there were very few of them). Most of my professors require that our journal references can be no older than three years old.

    Additionally, many of the books and journals that I reviewed were of an extremely low caliber. An undergraduate might be able to get away with using that stuff, but there isn't much for a graduate student.

    When I was at International College, the school provided access to an outstanding online library with extremely high quality publishings that were recently published. But I no longer have access to their library services since I'm no longer a student with them.

    Any quality suggestions for an online library service?
     
  2. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    I use InfoTrac OneFile, since I get free access as a Greenhaven/Blackbirch author, but I don't know how much it costs mere mortals. Before I had InfoTrac access, I used eLibrary.

    I also recommend setting up with a good document delivery service--most public library ILL offices can do this, but hiring research firms is usually faster since they can grab articles on-site and email you the PDF scans instead of requesting print photocopies. I get subsidized document delivery services as a Cowan student for anything dissertation-related. For other research, I use 4ResearchSolutions for my non-urgent requests, and Kessler-Hancock Information Services for my "I need it right away" requests.

    It's usually also worth checking to see if any of your local universities offer a "courtesy card" or visiting student access. I can take advantage of seven college/university/seminary libraries in my area, and if you live in a metropolitan area somewhere other than Mississippi, your pickings are probably even better.

    Questia offers a decent number of books, but journals are not really its strong suit. The advantage of OneFile is complete access to the Ingenta journals database, which many college/university libraries also have.

    Good luck.


    Cheers,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 2, 2003
  3. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Tom,

    Ironically, when I was at International College, we were given access to Infotrac. It is a wonderful online library and I would love to regain access to it. Thanks for the link. I am going to follow-up on it. :)
     
  4. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    look at : new first search
     
  5. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    One of the realities that DL students have to learn is that even the best on-line libraries lack many items that traditional libraries have. There are some journals (and many books) that are simply not available on-line. Publishers are quite protective of their material and won't put it on-line (at least not until it is dated a bit).

    Finding a good local university library is probably the best answer. For a small fee you can often obtain borrowing privileges.

    Don't forget that one of the most important assets in a library is a librarian. Research librarians are very helpful for those doing dissertation research.

    Also, some DL programs are better in their library support then others. NSU, my alma mater, has a strong on-line collection and provides good support for remote students. They will send a photo copy of articles, for example.

    Regards - Andy
     
  6. oxpecker

    oxpecker New Member

    UMUC is also strong in this regard because they share the catalog with the rest of what is now known as the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI).
     
  7. Nellie

    Nellie New Member

    Also, please telephone your local public library. Many public libraries in even the smallest towns have access to at least two or three of the databases most of the online institutions provide to their students (ProQuest, InfoTrac, FirstSearch, etc.), all at no charge to patrons who reside in the community the public library services.

    Some states also have their own statewide access to online databases that are often made available through the state's public libraries, colleges, and univerisities. Thus, your local public library may have access to this. In Ohio, there is OhioLink. There is also a similar database in Tennessee.

    If you telephone your local public library, one of the librarians there should be able to give you information on just what is available online not only in that public library, but also at the various colleges and universities in your area. Or, the librarian should at least be able to give you contact information for university libraries in your area so you can obtan the information of what they have available.

    Also, many universities are repositories for Federal information. (There will be one in your area known as a "Federal Repository". ) Often, because of this and the influx of Federal monies into these libraries, you cannot be denied access to the use of most of the services of that library even though you are not a student of that institution. In other words, many university libraries are required, by law, to provide at least some of their services to you. The services may be limited, such as your only being allowed to check out a couple of books at a time. But, still, you are allowed to have use of these services.

    The librarians at the various institutions and your local librarian at your public library should be able to provide you with excellent information on just what services are available to you at the various libraries in your area.

    Nellie
     
  8. John Craparo

    John Craparo New Member

    Hi me again, (or Jaime Again)

    Hope all is well. You might want to try Xanedu.com as the materials are up to date. They will give you a free 30 day trial also. I was a reviewer for them a little over a year ago. I liked what I saw... sort of a stripped down ABI Inform.

    http://www.xanedu.com/products/xre.shtml

    Regards,
    John
     
  9. Guest

    Guest Guest

    If you are at USF I assmume you can use any of the State University System libraries. I am at FSU and I can.
    There are lots of things available to students there that require proxy authentication using the library card number as the user name.

    It is fully explained here:

    http://www.fsu.edu/library/search/proxy/index.shtml

    Now, this only applies to your situation insofar as you are a Florida SUS student, when you graduate again away it goes.
     

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