Online Information Databases

NSW.net currently provides all NSW Public Libraries with free access to seven statewide online databases and a selection of optional databases for purchase. The Consortium Content Evaluation Working Party reviews the databases available for potential use by public libraries in NSW. Its objective is to ensure that the best possible resources are offered, at competitive prices.

Statewide Online Databases

Academic Search Elite/ANZ Reference Centre/MasterFILE Premier/Consumer Health Complete/Science Reference Center/Literary Reference Center/NoveList Plus/GreenFILE/Points of View Reference Center

Academic search Eliteis a scholarly collection offering full-text coverage of information in many areas of academic study including: animal science, anthropology, astronomy, biology, civil engineering, electrical engineering, ethnic & multicultural studies, food science & technology, geography, geology, law, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, music, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, psychology, religion & theology, veterinary science, women's studies, zoology and many other fields. With full text for more than 2,100 journals, 1700 of which are peer-reviewed, this database will become the first point of call for all students seeking high quality information.

ANZ Reference Centre is a general database of Australian and international content with articles in health, current affairs, science, social science, business and literature. Users can select or deselect the type of material they wish to access.

Consumer Health Complete contains full text articles covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. Topics include aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs and alcohol, fitness, nutrition and dietetics, children's health and men and women's health.

GreenFILE offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on the environmental effects of individuals, corporations and local/national governments, and what can be done at each level to minimize these effects. Multidisciplinary by nature, GreenFILE draws on the connections between the environment and a variety of disciplines such as agriculture, education, law, health and technology. Topics covered include global climate change, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more.

Literary Reference Center provides full text information on authors and their works from a combination of sources including books, encyclopaedias and journals. Includes plot summaries, critical essays, reviews, poems and author biographies. Search by author, title, subject or literary genre, or browse publications and most read authors.

MasterFILE Premier database provides full text for more than 2,100 general reference publications with full text information dating as far back as 1975. Covering virtually every subject area of general interest, MasterFILE Premier also includes nearly 650 full text reference books, 84,074 biographies, 86,135 primary source documents, and an Image Collection of 107,135 photos, maps and flags.

NoveList - Looking for a good book? Use NoveList to look for books by author, title, series, plot description or level of readership (children, young adults, adults etc). Use the Read-Alikes feature to find other authors who write like your favourite author. Includes plot summaries, genre and theme based lists, discussion guides for book clubs, book talks and details of awards.

Points of View Reference Center Points of View Reference Center is a full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. The database provides more than 270 topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument), counterpoint (opposing argument), and Critical Thinking Guide. Providing the basis from which students can realise and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills; this database helps students judge Fact vs. Opinion and enhances their ability to read and think critically.

Science Reference Center provies easy access to a multitude of full text science oriented content. Contains full text for 640 science encyclopaedias, reference books, periodicals. Topics covered include: biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, health and medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science and society, scientists, technology and wildlife.

Standards Australia Online Public Library Service
A comprehensive online collection of International and Australian standards, many with full text coverage. Where copyright of a standard is not held by Standards Australia full text is not available, but instructions on how it might be purchased are normally provided.

Some of the more popular databases offered by the NSW.net Consortium are:

There are around 80 products on the Consortium's list of databases. If you would like to suggest a database for possible inclusion, please complete the NSW.net Inquiry Form

Online Databases Tutorial
Learn to search Online Databases with this tutorial created by Sutherland Shire Reference & Information Services.

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