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By Katie Carsky / Assoc. Features Editor
Designed by Alex Farrell / Staff Designer
M
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Your
All-Access Pass
BC Gavel
to the
bc libraries
ost students hear the word “database�
Library Materials > Research Databases.
and cringe, because it usually
While these databases are definitely useful
signifies one thing: research paper.
for classes, many of them may actually be of
This brings to mind countless hours miserably
interest to students outside of academic work.
spent cooped up in the library, which is not
The BC library system has implemented this
a pleasant association. But perhaps writing a
system to help students learn more about a
paper is not the only function that a database
host of topics, such as fashion, stocks, nature,
can serve.
literature and current events, among many
The library system at Boston College offers
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others.
an array of online databases free of charge
One database, Factiva, provides access to
to students. Many of these databases would
newspapers, magazines and other publications.
be extremely expensive to subscribe to as an
It includes over 32,000 sources in a whopping
individual, but students have access to them
28 different languages from nearly any
year-round, and completely free of charge. To
country imaginable. Factiva was the product
access them, students must simply visit the BC
of collaboration between companies such as
University Libraries homepage and click Find
Microsoft, Oracle, IBM and Yahoo.
December 2014
Other databases, such as Ancestry Library and Immigrant Letters, can be used to explore more about a person’s genealogy. Ancestry Library has access to birth, marriage and death records along with records of taxes, crimes, land and wills. There are parish and school histories included among maps, almanacs and travel registers. Ancestry Library can even be used to find pictures, stories and memories of long lost family members. Nature is one of the most well known scientific journals in the world. Although the main audience of Nature is research scientists, articles are formatted so that the general public can better understand the research and its implications. The site is also a great resource for current events in the science world, such as business, ethics and breakthroughs. All About Strength Training may be of use to both Plex bros and anatomy students. The software is easy to download and can be used to identify individual muscles and muscle groups used in different exercises. It is also a convenient study tool for those who are required to memorize muscles for classes. This database provides workout regiments, and can even be used to develop a gym schedule for those who are interested. If wildlife is your forte, Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia could be a good time. This 18-volume set includes every article from the print edition with detailed entries on any type of animal life that you could imagine. Articles can even be translated to a variety of different languages. Descriptions include classification, evolution, physical characteristics, habitat, behavior and more. Maps, beautiful pictures and illustrations are included with each animal. Those with good fashion sense may benefit more from the Vogue Archive.
Ranging from the first issue published in 1892 to the current month’s issue, highres color page images can be viewed with every cover, page, advertisement and foldout included. Images can even be searched by designer, brand and garment category. The greatest fashion designers in the world can be found among these pages, and this archive acts as a record of fashion in society through centuries. Alexander Street Press’s database, Dance in Video, features documentaries, interviews and dance instruction videos with some of the world’s best-known performers and dance companies. There is a wide array of dance styles including jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet and improvisational, among many others. If you want to be a bit nerdier, the Statistical Abstract of the United States from ProQuest may be of significance to you. This database summarizes statistics on social, political and economic matters within the U.S. It compiles data from both private and government-funded sources. Topics range from health and nutrition to energy and utilities. BC subscribes to the 2014 edition, so the data is current. CQ Weekly is Congressional Quarterly’s Magazine on Government, Commerce and Politics. It provides reports and analysis on every congressional act. Weekly announcements of upcoming events in Congress are also posted. The previous week is always summarized with status on bills, debates, committee and floor activities and votes. The library system caters to an extremely diverse audience, and the librarians know that the resources offered are not just for studying. Whether you are interested in fashion, science, current events, dance, exercise or any other topic, there is a database for you. You no longer have to fear the database system, for it could end up being a close friend. Danielle Johnson / Gavel Media
FEATURES
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