You can access Howard College Libraries' databases from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Use your Howard College username and password. To reset your password, contact the automated password reset service at 432-264-5106. If you have any questions contact your local library or set up an appointment with a librarian.
Having problems accessing an online database or journal article? Here are a few common solutions.
If you are using Internet Explora try a different browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. Most of our databases seem to function well in Mozilla Firefox. All of these browsers can be downloaded for free and you can have more than one browser on your computer.
Enable Cookies: You may experience problems if you have not setup your browser to accept cookies.
What are cookies? Certain web sites require the use of "domain-based cookies". A web server named web1.somedb.com might set a cookie and request that it be sent back to any server ending in .somedb.com. Many URL rewriting proxy servers either leave these cookies alone (which destroys their ability to function) or change the cookie so that it is sent back to all virtual web servers (causing cookies to "leak" to the wrong servers). EZproxy handles this situation by storing all domain-based cookies directly on the server as part of the user's session information. (from http://www.usefulutilities.com/support/technical.html)
High Speed: If you are using high speed Internet services (such as web accelerator programs from NetZero HiSpeed or Juno Speedband), you will need to turn the high speed option off while you are using the library's databases.
Firewall software: If you have a firewall running on your computer, disable it temporarily. If you are unable to access the databases from work some places of employment have their network configured in such a way that you cannot access our databases.
Other errors: If you see any error messages mentioning "EzProxy administrator" or "hostname," please copy the text of the error message and contact your library staff.
There are 3 reasons why you can't read your article on the computer...
1. You did not limit your results to full text articles. If you don't do this, article abstracts (summaries) will be included in your search results. After you do a search in Discovery Search, Ebscohost or Gale you will see an option to limit your results to full text, if you did not do so at the start of your search.
2. You need to click on the link for the PDF Full Text document. It may be on the left side of the page or under the article title in your Search Results list.
3. You need to link out to another full text database or use Full Text Finder. In Ebscohost, or Gale datasases, click on a link in the left margin or within the article record labeled "Full Text Finder," "Linked Full Text" or "View this record." From there, you will go to the library catalog to view print holdings (not available online), another full text database or an online journal site.
If the above solutions don't fit the circumstance, here are four options...
1. Use Interlibrary Loan. You will need to leave enough time for you to obtain the article before your paper is due.
2. Search for the article on the web. Find out if the publisher has made that particular article freely available on the web (sometimes referred to as open access; no fees).
3. Check another library in your area for their periodical print holdings (guests generally cannot use their online databases and journals).
4. Ask a librarian to help you find a similar article.
Truncation allows you to search for a root word with all of its different endings by placing a symbol at the end of the word. Symbols vary by database so check the help section on each database. Common symbols are:
* (asterisk) |
! (exclamation mark) |
? (question mark) |
Example: femini*
Many databases will search for feminist, feminism, feminists, feminine, feminize
By using three simple words, you can improve your search results. Boolean searching connects words and phrases with three Boolean Operators, AND, OR, and NOT. Depending on the operator, you can either narrow or expand your search results. Use the Advanced Search tab found in the databases (EBSCO defaults to the this screen).
AND will make your search smaller. If you are getting too many items in your search results, try linking another term to your topic using AND. When you add AND between two or more search terms, your search results will include all of your search terms.
Example: obesity AND children
OR will make your search bigger. If you are receiving too few results, try connecting a synonym to your topic using OR. When you add OR between your search terms, your search results will include either of your search terms.
Limiters help refine and narrow your search. Using Limiters can give you more precise results. The location of these limiters vary by database, but are commonly found on the left side of the page. Some may be applied before your search or after. Common limiters are:
Library databases have predefined fields that you can search within. Limiting your search to specific fields can make your search more precise. For example, if you are looking for a particular article, type in the article title and choose Title in the drop down field menu. Use the Advanced Search option to search within a field (default search screen in EBSCO). Some common fields are:
To search for two or more words in an exact order, place quotation marks around the phrase. The computer will only return documents containing that specific phrase rather than documents containing each word found individually anywhere in the document.
Example: "obsessive compulsive disorder"
Gale and EBSCO databases allow you to narrow your results by related subjects after you conduct your initial search. This feature is very helpful if you receive too many results and need help thinking of terms related to your topic. When you select one of the related terms, the computer will give you a new list of documents that contains your original search terms and any related subject terms you have chosen. All subject terms must appear in the document in order for it to be included in your search results.
You can find these options on the left side of the results list. Gale's term for this feature is Related Subjects. EBSCO refers to it as Subjects: Thesaurus Term.