BHS Databases
BHS Databases
New Gale Content! Click here for more info!
We have some really powerful databases. Scroll down to access.
Database Usernames and Passwords
I'm not allowed to post the username and passwords online. But you can always check your student handbook, grab a bookmark or sticker from the reference desk to have on hand, write it down somewhere safe, put it in your phone, tattoo on your forearm, or even email us.
If you're at school, you probably won't need the username and password, but if you're at home, you will. So make sure you have that on hand somewhere!
Gale In-Context Resources
We now subscribe to NINE Gale databases! Remember some of their great features:
Filtering Tools: Easily filter your searches to find just what you want.
Easy Google Drive Integration: Save the entire article with notes and citations right to a folder in Drive
Easy citation tools: click “Cite” to see MLA 8 and other formats.
Annotations and highlights: highlight then right-click any text.
Differentiation: Easy to adjust lexile and reading levels.
Easy to Navigate: The results are broken into the various types of material, whether it's a newspaper article, a magazine article, an academic journal, audio, video, or whatever!
Scroll Down to see some Gale tutorials
Looking for a specific focus? Click on the following resource you're looking for:
Other great databases:
Full text searching for databases, eBooks and eJournals. Lots of great scholarly stuff in here! Dive into it to the right over in that quick search field.
Here's a beauty with all sort of sub-databases to explore. Remember to use limiters to specify searches!
Great for personal life as well as school-based research! If you have questions about your health or other's health, check this out. It is mean to be a very practical tool to answer your questions.
Need some help with computer stuff? Kyte has all sorts of great tech tutorials. Earn some badges while you're at it!
What is a database?
You use databases all the time. Really. You do. There are two videos here that help to explain what databases really are.
If you've ever used Amazon, Netflix, Youtube, Pandora or Google Drive, then you've used a database!
A database is a collection of digital information that you can use and manipulate, like search, filter, watch, or buy.
The databases BHS suscribe to are typically academic and research based. They are collections of information and articles and ebooks. You can search and filter for subjects, topics and titles. And you can save these articles for later use.
Google Vs Academic Databases
Google's Advantages
It's easy and convenient
You get lots of results or hits
It's great for easy questions, like: Who won the World Series in 1986? or How do I fix my leaking faucet? or Barbershops in the Concord area.
Google's Disadvantages
Hard to find good academic content
Academic content may cost you $$
Searches are overwhelming
Searches provide a lot of junk you aren't looking for
Can be hard to filter and limit searches
Academic Database Advantages
They are free if you are a member of that library community
Only academic content
Easy to search
Easy to filter
Great for tougher academic questions and research
Provides citation
Note taking tools
Academic Database Disadvantages
Seems complicated
You may need to punch in a username and password
An experiment in searching Google and Databases
Okay, now let's consider a couple of searches. Let;s pretend we're going to need a good scholarly piece on the impact violent video games have on kids. Try searching both Google and EBSCO Discovery Service for "video games." Consider these questions for each:
How many search results do you get?
How many are serious, hard-hitting, super-in-depth, academic publications?
How far down the list did you have to go to get a one of these academic publications?
Are the results what you're looking for, and are they helpful? Did you get what you want?
So, what do you think? What sort of hits did you get for Google and EBSCO Discovery?
Okay, now try narrowing down your search. Try searching both Google and EBSCO Discovery for "Video Game Violence." Consider the same questions:
How many search results do you get?
How many are serious, hard-hitting, super-in-depth, academic publications?
How far down the list did you have to go to get a one of these academic publications?
Are the results what you're looking for and helpful? Did you get what you want?
Did you get any academic journals on the first page of your Google search? Did you get any on the first page of your EBSCO Discovery search? Huh. What conclusions can you make?
Okay, so narrow it down again. Try searching both Google and EBSCO Discovery for "Video Game Violence and Kids."
How many search results do you get?
How many are serious, hard-hitting, super-in-depth, academic publications?
How far down the list did you have to go to get a one of these academic publications?
Are the results what you're looking for and helpful? Did you get what you want?
Okay. So what conclusions are you making from this? Ask yourself, How are Databases helpful, and why doesn't Google give me exactly what I want when I want it?