Research Tools
Cheat Sheets, Tips, And Tutorials:
All About Databases
Electronic Databases
Online Databases are the most overlooked useful tool in your research arsenal. You can access dozens of up-to-date online databases, covering a vast range of topics and resources, ABSOLUTELY FREE through the WRHS Library Media Center website. Please note, a public library card or e-card may be required for access to Wachusett-area Public Library and/or Boston Public Library electronic resources. These can be easily obtained by visiting a local library branch, or by signing-up online. Please see a staff member in the LMC if you have questions.
Searching Electronic Databases
Quotation Marks: If a term or subject for which you are searching contains more than one word, use quotation marks so the search engine knows to look for that term as a single unit.
Example: "brain structure" "New England"
Asterisks*: You may want to search multiple spellings, or the singular and plural of a word at the same time. Asterisks (*) can truncate that word and allow you to search for that part of the word in the whole.
Example: Use librar* to search for library, libraries, librarian, librarians, etc., at the same time.
Use polic* to search for policy, policies, policy-making, etc.
Boolean Operators: Search for multiple terms/words at once by using AND, OR, or AND NOT to link the terms.
Example: government AND Iran*
patriots AND “Revolutionary War” AND NOT football
Example: "brain structure" "New England"
Asterisks*: You may want to search multiple spellings, or the singular and plural of a word at the same time. Asterisks (*) can truncate that word and allow you to search for that part of the word in the whole.
Example: Use librar* to search for library, libraries, librarian, librarians, etc., at the same time.
Use polic* to search for policy, policies, policy-making, etc.
Boolean Operators: Search for multiple terms/words at once by using AND, OR, or AND NOT to link the terms.
Example: government AND Iran*
patriots AND “Revolutionary War” AND NOT football
Databases at WRHS
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To access away from school, some databases require you to log-in. Click the appropriate button to the right for username and password information. To access these lists, you will need to log-in to your WRSD or WRSDK12 Google account. Requests from personal e-mail addresses will not be approved. See Mrs. Stern in the library if you require assistance.
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*Most newspapers require you to log in. See links for log-in information above.
Full-Text Archive: 1980 - present
Full-Text Archive: 1985 - present
Historical New York Times
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ALL ABC-Clio databases
ABC-Clio Pop Culture Universe
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ALL Gale Group Databases
Google Scholar
Google Books & Magazines
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Public Library Databases
BPL Databases & e-resources
(Free!)
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WPL Databases & e-resources by subject (Free!)
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Holden Gale Free Library Databases
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THE BPL databases require an e-card for access. You may sign-up for an e-card on the BPL website. See Mrs. Stern in the library if you require assistance.
