The Vassar College Libraries have purchased thousands of electronic journals and databases for library patrons, and we are adding more all the time—over the summer of 2013, the library purchased more than two dozen databases to add to the collection. Here are the highlights of some of our recent electronic acquisitions.
What is it? The iLibrary is the online library portal for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Here, you can find books, papers and statistics published by the OECD. The iLibrary also contains materials published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the International Transport Forum (ITF), and the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
How can I search? In addition to the basic keyword and advanced search options, the iLibrary allows users to browse by country or by publication type (books, papers, statistics, etc.). Users can also browse materials based on 17 different “themes,” or categories, by which the OECD has sorted its publications. These themes include “Development,” “Economics,” “Science and technology,” and “Social issues/migration/health.”
What is it? The House of Commons Parliamentary Papers collect primary source documents dealing with the governance of the United Kingdom. Parliamentary Papers includes committee reports, bills, and other papers and accounts produced by the House of Commons. This resource also includes the Hansard, which collects transcriptions of the House of Commons debates. The library has had access to the 19th century papers (1801-1900) since 2008; however, we have recently purchased access to the 20th century parliamentary papers (1901-2003/4) as well.
How can I search? The interface allows for searching across a number of categories, including by keyword, date, chair, or author/session. There are a number of limits that can be applied to refine the search, such as limits by certain types of papers, limits by year range, or limits to materials containing illustrations. Users can also browse either the papers or the Hansard by year and volume.
What is it? The Daily mail began publication in 1896 as a broadsheet tabloid newspaper. Today, it is one of the highest circulating daily newspapers in Great Britain, known for its middle-class readership. The archive collects all issues published from the first in 1896 through 2004, including the Daily mail Atlantic edition, published for use on trans-Atlantic ocean liners. Users can view digital facsimiles of a particular article, or they can view complete issues page by page, complete with pictures and advertisements.
How can I search? The archive has basic and advanced search features. In the advanced search, users have the option to limit by certain sections of the paper, like “Editorial and Commentary,” “Features,” or “Advertising.” There is also a “Browse by date” option, where users can limit to the Daily mail, the Atlantic Edition, or special issues.
These and many other databases can be found by searching the library catalog, searching Discover, or selecting the “Databases” tab of the search box on the library’s homepage.
For more information from the database providers, see:
House of Commons Parliamentary Papers
If you need additional assistance using our electronic resources, or if you would like to suggest a new electronic resource purchase, please contact one of our Research Librarians directly or use the Ask a Librarian link.