Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) > Science and Technology Information

Science and Technology Databases Available at SIBL

What are DATABASES? | WHERE can I access them? | How do I CHOOSE one? | How do I SEARCH?

What are DATABASES?

A Database, according to the American Heritage Collegiate Dictionary, is a collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval. In libraries, databases are often called electronic resources.

Database providers & vendors license and sell database subscriptions to companies, libraries and some individuals, via CD-ROMs, DVDs or the Internet (also called online databases). Database providers (those who create databases) are not always the same entities as database vendors; a particular database may be available via several vendors each providing a different interface (= how the database looks and functions), but using the same content, the same collection of data, supplied by the provider. The Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) pays for subscriptions to over a hundred databases.

The following describes the different types of databases that you may encounter:

  • Indexes and abstracts, used to locate citations to articles in periodicals (i.e.: journals, magazines and newspapers), books, conferences proceedings, etc. An abstract will include a summary of the cited article. Examples: General Science Abstracts, INSPEC, GeoRef
  • Full-text databases which give access to the entire text of articles and documents, for example electronic dictionaries and encyclopedias, but also journals, conferences, market research reports, directories, laws, etc. Examples: Scientific American Online, IEEE Xplore, AccessScience (online version of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology).
  • Combinations of the above, for example an index including both citations to articles and their complete text. Example: EBSCO's Academic Search Premier.

Note: For descriptions of the databases mentioned above see WHERE can I access them?

WHERE can I access them?

Many libraries subscribe to databases for their users. At SIBL databases can be accessed in the Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn Electronic Information Center (EIC) on the lower level of the library. Most of SIBL's electronic resources can only be accessed at SIBL. To access a list of the library’s databases on the New York Public Library’s Web site, got to:
http://www.nypl.org/databases/sibldb.cfm

The New York Public Library’s Branch Libraries also make available a large selection of databases at each branch, some of which are also available remotely, for use at home, with a branch library card. See the following Web site:
http://www.nypl.org/databases/index.cfm?act=2&j=home

How do I CHOOSE one?

To help you choose a database for your search you have the following options:

  1. Talk to a librarian. He/she can help determine which is the best database for your information needs and can give you an introduction on how to begin searching.
  2. The database computers in the Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn Electronic Information Center (EIC) provide subject lists of databases. Try browsing databases listed under Science Resources.
  3. A list of SIBL’s databases, most are not available outside the library, is available on the New York Public Library’s Web site, searchable by TITLE, SUBJECT, KEYWORD & RESOURCE TYPE (i.e. index, encyclopedia, full-text database). Go to:
    http://www.nypl.org/databases/index.cfm
  4. A list of the Branch Libraries’ databases, some of which are available remotely with a NYPL library card, can be accessed on the New York Public Library’s Web site, searchable by TITLE and SUBJECT. Go to:
    http://www.nypl.org/databases/index.cfm
  5. Consider that there are general science databases and subject specific databases, you may want to search both types. For example: if you are researching a topic in biology, you may want to search in Academic Search Premier (general index to scholarly literature, including the sciences, which sometimes provides fulltext articles) and Biology Digest (subject specific index providing citations and abstracts to literature in the field of biology).

How do I SEARCH?

For assistance or instruction in using a database you have the following options:

  1. Speak with a librarian, who will give you a quick introduction to an electronic resource and help you begin searching.
  2. In the Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn Electronic Information Center (EIC) assistance is available from a variety of staff with searching, downloading, and printing from databases.
  3. Attend a Free Public Training Class at SIBL. Classes that may help with searching science resources are:
    • Articles: How to Find Them Electronically
    • Introduction to Science Information
    • Look for classes focusing on specific databases (i.e.: INSPEC/Compendex)
    • Look for classes focusing on specific topics (i.e.: Biodiversity, Building & Construction)
    • See the following Web site for descriptions and a schedule of the classes (updated every two weeks):
      http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/training/
  4. For additional assistance with, for example, search strategies or databases, appointments for half hour consultations with a librarian can be made in person, two days in advance, at the McGraw Reference Desk on the lower level of SIBL.
  5. Check the HELP pages in a database to learn its basic operation and special features. You will need to understand how to use Boolean Operators (i.e.: AND, OR, NOT) to undertake more complex searches. To find Web pages explaining this search technique type "Boolean Searching" in a search engine, for example: Google (www.google.com).