This document provides a tutorial on how to perform database searches through the Hershey Public Library website. It describes selecting an appropriate database by subject, logging in using a library card barcode number, developing effective search strategies using keywords, Boolean operators, phrase searching and truncation. The tutorial also lists several databases available, including those covering science, biography, literature, and history references. Users are advised to modify searches if too many or few results are found and to ask librarians for additional help.

1. HERSHEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
How to Perform a
Database Search

2. Introduction
• This tutorial will show you how to do a basic
search using the EBSCO databases available
through the Hershey Public Library home
page. The website is available at
www.hersheylibrary.org

3. Databases
• Select an appropriate database for your
subject.
• On the Hershey Public Library home page, you
will see icons for the databases made
available. They are located on the right hand
side of the page.
• Each different database will allow you to
select databases by subject.

4. Science Reference Center
• A research database that provides access to
full-text science-oriented content. It contains
information from hundreds of encyclopedias,
reference books, periodicals and other
sources.

5. Biography Reference Center
• Offers a comprehensive collection of more than
461,000 full-text biographies such as actors,
authors, composers, explorers, figures relevant to
U.S. and world history, inventors, musicians,
Presidents, current leaders and many more.

6. Literary Reference Center
• A comprehensive database that provides
information on thousands of authors and their
works. It is a full-text database that combines
information from major reference works,
books and literary journals.

7. History Reference Center
• The world’s most comprehensive full-text history
reference database that features full text for more
than 1,990 reference books, encyclopedias, and
non-fiction books from leading publishers. It also
includes full text for more than 150 history
periodicals and 57,000 historical documents.

8. To login to a database you must
enter the barcode number on the back of your library
card
Please contact your library administrator
to obtain a Patron ID
Patron ID 290105457775
Login
Supported Browsers
Recommended minimum screen resolution: 1024x768

9. This is the Home Page of the Science Database

10. Database Searching
• Think carefully about the terms you type into
the search box.
• Too many search terms might cause you to
retrieve no references or very few.
• Too few search terms might retrieve too many
references.
• Incorrect spelling will cause problems in your
search.

11. Describe Your Search Topic
• Think of a question, a phrase or a sentence
that includes all the important aspects or
concepts of your topic.
• Break up your search topic or theme into
keywords. In most databases you can search
simply by using keywords.
• Keep your search simple.

12. What you are Searching
• Some databases search the full text references
that they contain. Other databases only search a
brief description, or summary of the references.
• If you are searching a full-text database, you will
be able to search on very specific terms.
• If you are searching a database that only has
summaries (abstracts) of the references, you may
have to use fewer terms and less specific terms.

13. This is the home page of the Magazine Database. On it you will see different types
of search options available such as “find any of my search terms, “ “advanced
search,” and “SmartText” searching.

14. Modify Your Search Strategy
• Occasionally you may need to modify your
search term(s).
• Look over the records you retrieve.
• If you retrieve irrelevant records, then
re-examine your topic or change the keyword
you have chosen.

15. Connectors or Boolean Operators
• Connectors are sometimes called Boolean
Operators . They are used to combine search
terms. There are three connectors: AND, OR,
NOT.
• AND placed between words means that
either, or all, words(s) may appear in each
reference. This will narrow your search.
• For example, circus AND clowns will retrieve
all references which contain both terms.

16. Boolean Operator OR
• The Boolean operator OR placed between
words means that either, or all, words(s) may
appear in each reference. This will broaden
your search.
• For example, earthquake OR seismology will
retrieve all references with earthquake or
seismology. As well as references with both
terms.

17. Boolean Operator NOT
• The Boolean operator NOT between words
means that the second word must not appear
in any reference. This will narrow your search.
• For example, toxic NOT radioactive will
retrieve all references with toxic, except
references which include radioactive.
• Use of the NOT connector may exclude useful
references.

18. Truncation
• Truncation symbols (also called wildcards)
vary from database to database.
• Truncate words to retrieve all the alternative
terms.
• For example, comput* will retrieve computer,
computers, computate, and computation.
• Other symbols used are ? and #.

19. Phrase Searching
• Some databases assume that a string of words
should be searched as a phrase and it will only
retrieve references in which the words occur
side by side or in a very close proximity.
• It may be useful to force the database to
search words as a phrase.
• You can do this by enclosing the terms in
quotation marks, for example, “information
technology.”

20. Additional Databases
• The Hershey Public Library also has additional
databases that may be of use that are not part
of EBSCO Publishing.

21. Help
• If you should need additional help with finding
information available through the library
website or in searching the databases, please
be sure to ask our Reference Librarians.

22. References
• EBSCO Publishing. (n.d.) Retrieved April 23,
2012, from http://www.ebscohost.com/public
• Hershey Public Library. (n.d.) Retrieved April
19, 2012, from http://www.hersheylibrary.org/