Databases: Technology and Science
With your Plano Public Library card, you have access to premium resources to expand your knowledge and skills.
On the library’s Research & Learn page on the city’s website, we have a lengthy list of databases available to library cardholders. From academic research to business leads to home repairs to health, there is something for any of your research needs. All databases require a library card, which you can apply for online.
In the Technology and Science section of these resources are four databases worth exploring:
Computer Source – EBSCO: Provides researchers with the latest information and current trends in high technology. Offers full text for nearly 300 publications and indexing and abstracts for nearly 450 publications
Access Now: Link
As an EBSCO database, this is similar to all other EBSCO databases with a main search bar and filter options (publication date, full text, etc.) As soon as you start typing in the search bar, EBSCO will provide search suggestions based on what you are typing – you can click on these if you want to search that term. If there is a specific phrase you are searching for, be sure to put quotation marks around it, e.g. “3D printing” vs 3D printing
When you enter your search term(s), EBSCO will pull together links to journals, books, videos and more. Be sure to use the “Refine Results” toolbar on the left side of the screen to search in specific publication date ranges, subjects, publications and languages. If you need full text, click the box in the “Limit To” section.
Once you select a result, you will see additional details, you can download the full text PDF and print (or save to the cloud).
Lynda.com: Provides online training courses that cover a variety of topics (including business, design, web development and multimedia skills) and software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and open source applications)
Access Now: Link
Whether you’re looking to polish up your resume or pick up a new hobby in animation, Lynda.com offers video classes on the skills you’ll need. You can learn more about Lynda.com and how to use it on our Polish Your Skills with Lynda.com blog post.
Science in Context – GALE: Provides contextual information on 655+ science topics by showing how scientific disciplines relate to real-world issues, from weather patterns to obesity
Access Now: Link
Science in Context has many search and browsing options including browsing topics of interest, an extended list of topics, and educator resources. In the “Browse Topics” section, they even note when a section has been updated.
When you search a topic, you will see an Overview section as well as a plethora of search results including news articles, images, journals and magazines. Like with other databases, you can filter your search results by publication date, subject and even content level.
Science Online – Infobase: Presents a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive essays, videos, diagrams, definitions, biographies, and experiments
Access Now: Link
In Science Online you can learn more about a variety of science topics (and scientists!) through their eLearning modules, featured videos and animations, and interactive experiments. For educators, there are Curriculum Tools, such as Conducting Experiments and Research Topics.
Use the Topic Centers to begin your search in specific areas of science (Forensic Science, Physics, Biology, etc.) Science Online provides and overview of related topics within each Center, as well as related experiments and suggested research topics.
Use the Curriculum Tools drop down menu to learn about citing sources, evaluating online sources and use the Science Fair Guide.
Be sure to head to our Learn page on the city’s website for all ways you can learn through Plano Public Library.
Related Posts
Learn About and Celebrate Earth Day
Teen Street Team Recommends: Pronunciator
