Sometimes
conventional ways to search aren’t always an option. It’s not so unusual for a patron entering a library to inquire about a book by stating, “I remember the cover of the book was sort of green.” That might be matched with some deeper knowledge such as, “The
author is a man,” or, “The article is really short.” When vague descriptions happen, we always inquire further. Sometimes luck is on our side, and we’re given the title of the resource and the approximate date of publication, “I read it in the doctor’s office
last month. It was in The New York Times, I think.” Score!
If you have the publication title and approximate date it was published, there is another way you can search MeL to access individual database subscriptions. To find articles by date for your patron, simply follow this unassuming
path:
From the home page, click the eJournal link.
1.
That will take you to a search bar, where you can
enter the publication title (Example: New York Times).
2.
Click the eResource (Example: Opposing Viewpoints in Context) that houses that subscription.
3.
Click the date of the publication you’re seeking.
4.
If you’re searching a
newspaper, you will need to click the news/number combination at the top of the page to expand and see all the articles from that date.
5.
If you’re searching a
journal or magazine, all the articles will be listed from that date’s publication.
6.
Click the article title, and you will be given the same options as you would in any other result: PDF or HTML format, link to Google Drive, citation
options, text to speech, print, etc…
This is powerful information, as you can also utilize this path to search journals, magazines and newspapers that are currently for sale in your local store. It is also a great route to follow if you’re inquiring about subscriptions
that feed the individual eResources. For example, if you want to know which eResources house a subscription to Scholastic News, you will see this result after you search the publication title:
ISSN: 0736-0592. Elementary Education.
Education
Source 09/06/1999 - present
MasterFILE
Complete 09/06/1999 - present
Primary
Search 09/06/1999 - present
Science
Reference Center 09/06/1999 – present
This is not the only way to find out which subscriptions populate the individual eResources provided by MeL. EBSCO has provided
a list of all the subscriptions inside each of their eResources. These are helpful tools that inform MeL users about all the content available in the Michigan eLibrary.
Discovered! And Brought to you by Ann Kaskinen, K12 Engagement Specialist of the MeL Team.
Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.
Want more information on MeL? Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit http://mel.org,
or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via
GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks.
MeL databases are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.
#IMLSGrant
Sonya Schryer Norris
Library Consultant
Library of Michigan
Michigan Department of Education
517-335-1498
https://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan