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Sources for finding information on current state and local government issues

WebCat - the database used to locate books and other materials owned by the University Libraries.  Don't forget that "ink on paper" resources are generally authoritative and are still the easiest to use for many questions.  Remember too, that "Power Search" allows you to limit to by item type (scores or compact discs for example), by language, publication date(s) etc.

WorldCat - contains records of over 95 million items in over 400 languages from over 60,000 participating libraries from around the world.  As you might expect, most records are of books, but you will find records of any conceivable item a library might own including audio and video recordings, computer programs, archival materials, maps, musical scores and more.  Some items in this database date to before 1,000 B.C. Approximately one million items are being added annually, and WorldCat is updated daily.  (remote access requires Outlook username and password)

Research Databases - these proprietary databases are leased by the Shenandoah University Libraries at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars annually.  They include materials which are accurate and authoritative and have search interfaces designed by experts to make your search for information easier.  Using these databases will generally provide more accurate information, more quickly and easily, than using "free" Internet sources.

Selected Websites - Caution:  The sites listed below are available "free" of charge on the Internet.  They have been selected by experts for their accuracy and reliability.  However, one should always use a critical eye in evaluating information found for free on the WWW. 

Library Home - Catalog - Journal Locator - Databases - Internet Resources - Media - Reference/Instruction - User Services - General Info -
Off-Campus Support - Forms - Faculty Info - Other Libraries - Site Index

        Research Databases        

JSTOR - an archive of scholarly journals providing the fulltext (PDF files) of hundreds of  journals from all disciplines.  Coverage extends back decades for many titles, but most have a "moving wall" which blocks access to the most recent articles.

Academic OneFile - provides indexing to more than 11,000 scholarly journals in the humanities, sciences and social sciences. The fulltext of articles is available for approximately 3,500 of the titles indexed. Some of the journals indexed may be available in the University Libraries. (remote access requires username and password)

General OneFile - provides indexing to more than 10,000 periodicals and scholarly journals in the humanities, sciences and social sciences. The fulltext of articles is available for approximately 4,000 of the titles indexed. Some of the journals indexed may be available in the University Libraries. (remote access requires username and password)

Wilson Omnifile - provides access to indexing and abstracting for approximately 3,500 journals and magazines from the humanities, social sciences, and science and engineering, with fulltext available for about 1,750 titles.  Coverage for some titles begins as early as 1982.  (remote access requires username and password)

Academic Search    -  is really fun to use.  In "Today's News," which is updated several times daily, you can read leading American and world newspapers.  Coverage includes access to fulltext of nearly 5,000 publications ranging from general news to business, legal, medical and reference information.  Coverage of state and federal law and the judiciary is especially strong.  Coverage of some publications begins as early as 1980.  (remote access requires username and password)

Congressional Quarterly Researcher - weekly issues of CQ Researcher cover a topic of current interest to the American public and to Congress.  Reading one of these 20 to 25 page articles will provide one with the history of an issue as well as providing current context.  Congresswomen and their staffers likely use these to prepare themselves for hearings; the nuts and bolts information provided here, while not making one an expert will certainly allow one to ask intelligent questions and prepare one for more in depth study

Congress Collection:  Making Sense of Representative Democracy - "This collection is a powerful research and reference tool for analyzing the history and development, legislation, powers, and personalities of the U.S. Congress.
This wealth of data is presented with nonbiased commentary and includes vital biographical and voting data for members of Congress, legislative information organized by topic, key votes, legislative analysis, interest group scores of members, encyclopedic information on Congress, and Supreme Court case summaries relating to the structure and powers of Congress"

PAIS International - this international index to government and public policy "contains references to more than 553,300 journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference reports, publications of international agencies, microfiche, Internet material, and more"

Alternative Press Index - provides indexing of non-mainstream media publications

Journal Locator - is an alphabetical list of journals and magazines to which the University Libraries provide access.  This title list will, in most cases, tell you the dates available for a particular electronic title, and you can connect to the appropriate database.  You can then search the database for the title you need. 
If we subscribe to a title in print format, SU Journal Collection will be stated and you can connect to the catalog record which will show our subscription holdings.  The catalog record will tell you whether a title is available in paper or on microfilm.
Approximately 27,000 titles are available

NEW  --  Search and Browse Journal Locator  -  Find Both Print and Electronic Journals Available Through University Libraries

WorldCat - contains records of over 95 million items in over 400 languages from over 60,000 participating libraries from around the world.  As you might expect, most records are of books, but you will find records of any conceivable item a library might own including audio and video recordings, computer programs, archival materials, maps, musical scores and more.  Some items in this database date to before 1,000 B.C. Approximately one million items are being added annually, and WorldCat is updated daily.  (remote access requires Outlook username and password)

InterLibrary Loan Forms - just click here to bring up the forms for books and journals.  Remember, you must make sure that we do not have access to what you need in our local collection, BEFORE you make a request.  Paper versions of these forms are available at the circulation and reference desks of the University Libraries.

    Remember to read on-screen instructions; some systems are actually quite friendly.

     Use online help features for more detailed explanations of how to search each particular
     database.
 

     Always feel free to ask a librarian for help!!

                        Web Sites            

Caution:  The sites listed below are available free of charge on the Internet.  They have been selected by experts for their accuracy and reliability, however one should always use a critical eye in evaluating information found free on the WWW.
 

A List of Excellent Free Internet Sites for Political Science

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