Home--Start Here with the Basics

Welcome, Ancilla students! This site is the portal to your learning experience for searching our databases for magazine and journal articles. Each section encompasses a different aspect of searching, from the very basics (how the heck do I find them?) to the very specific (how do I get citations?).

This page is your prep page; there are a few things you’ll need to have. First, obviously, is an Internet connection. Got that? Of course you have, or you wouldn’t be able to see this page! Let’s move on to the other requirements….

To access databases off-campus, you'll need:

To access databases off-campus, you'll need your library barcode number, found on the front of your student ID, and a password to go with it. Need to set up a password? Click for instructions. You may need to find out from the library what email you gave them as your main contact email, since that's where the set password link will go.

YouTube optimum settings:

Speakers or headphones, sound and video card

NOTE: Videos may be slow or may not load at all through dial-up connections, and there are optimum settings for YouTube videos--see explanation below

For closed captioning, please click CC. For optimum viewing, please change your settings to 1080p for best results. For a full-screen view, click the far right corner.

If you have everything you need, go to the introduction page to get some basic information about database searching and the design of this tutorial, or you can go straight to the tutorial module of your choice.

Module 1: Simple Search

Module 1 Screenshot Walkthrough

Module 2: Boolean Searching

Module 2 Screenshot Walkthrough

Module 3: Limiters

Module 3 Screenshot Walkthrough

Module 4: Search Tips

Module 4 Screenshot Walkthrough

Module 5: Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Module 5 Screenshot Walkthrough