This document provides an overview of NOVEL databases for high school teachers and administrators. It describes the various databases available through NOVEL including Twayne's Author Series, Business & Company Resources Center, Health and Wellness Resource Center, and more. It highlights features such as full text magazines, newspapers, reference books and the ability to search by reading level. The document demonstrates how to access and search the Twayne's Author Series database and compares searching NOVEL databases to searching online using Google. It emphasizes that NOVEL contains reliable and evaluated information while Google allows anyone to publish.

1. NOVEL
Databases
A presentation for high school teachers and administrators
This product was supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and
Library Services. Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES School Library System.
Brewster HS
November 2, 2010

2. You will learn…
 To successfully access NOVEL databases
 To choose specific databases for your
information need
 To use special features to narrow and
refine their searches
 The benefits of accessing online databases

3. NOVEL
The New York State
Online Virtual
Electronic Library

4. NOVEL Databases
 An electronic collection of books, e-journals, full-
text magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and
other databases licensed on a statewide basis for
free public access through local libraries and
remote locations such as home, school, and office
 A source of high-quality, reliable, up-to-date information
available only through licensing/subscription (not
available free on the Internet).
 Levels the playing field for all New Yorkers by permitting
individuals to share access to the same resources
regardless of economic, geographic, or physical
circumstances.

5. NOVEL Databases
 Business & Company Resources Center - global business
information including over 300,000 company
profiles,
 Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) - contains full-
text entries found in nine searchable online reference
titles focusing on health and history.
 These reference titles include Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine,
Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer, Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders, Gale
Encyclopedia of Medicine, Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health,
American Revolution Reference Library, American Civil War Reference
Library, Major Acts of Congress, and History Behind the Headlines.

6.  General Science Collection —
provides information on all aspects of the scientific
world and offers full-text coverage for more than 60 of
the most popular science publications.
 Health and Wellness Resource Center — a source
for both medical care professionals and consumers
concerning important current health information.
full text of over 650 journals and many reference services
 Informé Revistas en Español — specifically
designed to meet the research needs of Spanish speaking
Users; 40 full text Spanish language
and bilingual magazine journals, reports and
maps; a total of over 75,000 articles are updated daily.

7.  InfoTrac Custom Newspapers — offers over 150
full text newspapers including New York State
newspapers and the New York Times full text for the
current year.
 InfoTrac Junior — especially designed for junior
high and middle schools. It features hundreds of titles
most critical to school libraries and the curriculum.
This database includes hundreds of full text newspaper
articles from the Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service and
more than 300 full color Rand McNally maps.
.

8.  National Newspaper Index — provides indexing (1977—present) of
America’s top five newspapers; the New York Times, Wall Street
Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times and the
Washington Post.
 Primary Search via Searchasaurus—designed specifically for the
young researcher, it contains full text for more than 60 popular,
elementary school magazines. All full text articles are assigned a reading
level. It also features 30 full text student reference books, including Funk
& Wagnalls Encyclopedia and the American Heritage Dictionary. An
image collection contains over 100,000 photos, maps and flags in
addition to full text access to the Encyclopedia of Animals.

9.  Topic Search — This current events database allows
researchers to explore social, political and economic
issues, scientific discoveries and other topics. There is
full text for over 64,000 articles and more than 3,000
diverse sources, including international and regional
newspapers.
 Twayne’s Author Series — features the content of
over 600 books that comprise three print series—
United States Authors, English Authors and World
Authors. This series is devoted to literary critical
interpretation and discussion for readers ranging from
high school students through college and above.

10.  MasterFILE Select — contains full text for nearly 750
periodicals covering general reference, business, health,
education, general science, multicultural issues and
much more. This resource also includes full text for more
than 1,200 pamphlets, 40 reference books, 6,900 Magill
Book Reviews and includes Essential Documents in
American History—U.S. Constitution, Speeches and
more.

15. Your students are doing an author study .
They need to locate criticisms and
biographical information.
Let’s start with Twayne’s Author Series…

16. Twayne’s Author Series
 Features the content of over 600 books that
comprise three print series— United States
Authors, English Authors and World
Authors.
 This series is devoted to literary critical
interpretation and discussion for readers
ranging from high school students through
college and above.

17. Twayne Author Series

21. Power Search

23. How does NOVEL compare
to searching on Google?

24. What’s the difference between
Google and the NOVEL databases?
Internet
 Anyone can publish
– no evaluation
 Is free to everyone
 Is targeted to adults
 Uses key words
 Cannot limit by reading level
NOVEL Databases
 Contains up-to-date, reliable
information - magazines,
newspapers, and encyclopedia
articles, authoritative sources
 Is free to NYS citizens
 Has specially designed searching
screens and databases for children
and young adults
 Uses key words and controlled
vocabulary (subject headings) to
help uses find what they want
 Some databases can be limited by
reading level

25. IMPORTANT: Type in the local information on how to
access NOVEL databases via public and/or school
libraries including the URL, IDs and Passwords.
How to Access
NOVEL Databases
Reminder: The access information is on the
NOVEL brochure you received as a handout

26. What you have learned
 To successfully access NOVEL
databases
 To choose specific databases for your
information need
 To use special features to narrow and
refine their searches
 The benefits of accessing online
databases

27. Thank-You!
Email me with your
questions (add your email address here)