Research 101

Now, let's look at a few different ways to search for sources on the Kirk Library website. This page is an overview of OneSearch and Databases. For more in-depth explanations with examples, visit the Using OneSearch, Using Interdisciplinary Databases, and Using Subject Specific Databases pages.

OneSearch is the library's discovery tool located on the library homepage. You may hear it referred to as a "catalog", but it is much more than that!  OneSearch is useful for finding many types of resources, including physical books, DVDs or CDs located inside the library. You can also find a selection of results from some of our databases, like newspaper articles, journal articles, streaming videos, eBooks, and images. OneSearch also can help you locate credible openly published journal articles and eBooks.  Remember, OneSearch is not a search engine that searches the open web, it is a discovery tool that only finds library resources.

Kirk Library databases cover all major academic areas at Centralia College. Databases can contain academic journal articles, magazine and newspaper articles, eBooks, streaming videos, and more. Centralia College pays for the databases so students, faculty, and staff have access to information that cannot be found on the open web. 

How do I find a database?

From the Kirk Library homepage, go to the Find tab and click Start Researching. 

Start Researching is a tool to help you find the types of sources that you need. We've selected the most useful databases and resources for each type. If you want to see our entire list of A-Z Databases & Resources, you'll find a link on the left under the navigation menu.

How do I access a database off-campus?

When researching off-campus, you will be prompted enter your student email address (firstname.lastname@student.centralia.edu) and password.

If you have any trouble logging in from off-campus, visit the IT Help Desk Frequently Asked Questions for tips and assistance. 

You may be familiar with searching the internet for information using a search engine like Google, Safari, Edge, DuckDuckGo or Firefox.  Learn more about using the library databases for academic resources by watching this brief video.

What Are Databases and Why You Need Them by Yavapai College, used with permission.  A transcript is available on YouTube.

Interdisciplinary databases cover many different subjects. The odds are good that you could find results on your topic when you start with interdisciplinary databases. Below are three of the interdisciplinary databases Centralia College provides:

Subject Specific Databases collect resources from scholarly journals, trade journals, newspapers, magazines, etc., on a specific topic.  Centralia College subscribes to several subject specific databases that can be found on the A-Z Databases & Resources page.