ELECTRONIC DATABASES – GENERAL INFORMATION
Reference services are provided to readers by the librarians at the Yaatz reference desk and by librarians in the reading rooms.  
The Yaatz reference desk is staffed whenever the library is open to the public.  Should the reading room librarians be unavailable, 
please refer to the Yaatz librarian for assistance.  The librarians assist the user in obtaining the most from library resources by making 
effective use of the online catalog (ALEPH) and of computerized and print bibliographic sources. It is recommended that the reader 
begin his/her search with the help of the librarians in Yaatz, who will refer him/her to the appropriate subject specialist if needed.

The library owns or subscribes to over 100 Internet or CD-ROM databases covering the fields of Arts and Humanities, the Sciences
and Engineering, the Social Sciences, Israel and Judaica. Some of these databases include full-text articles; other databases are limited
to abstracts or bibliographic citations.  Please consult the Yaatz or reading room librarians for assistance in selecting the database(s)
most suited to your search topic, in building a successful search strategy and for in-depth help with the database search.  Please remember
that the number of simultaneous users for each database is limited by contract.  At the end of your search session it is important
to click on exit/logout. Failure to do so will prevent other users from connecting to the database.

The library has developed a database search model that serves as a basic guide for searching. The search model is accompanied by a list of
definitions of pertinent terms.  The search model is located on our homepage under "Electronic Databases – Tutorials and Help Sheets".

INTERNET-BASED SUBSCRIPTIONS:
The library's Internet-based databases are available to Ben-Gurion University students, faculty and staff under four types of licenses:

1.  MALMAD - Consortium Membership:
The Israeli Academic Libraries have formed a consortium with the aim of providing the universities' clients with access to databases
and electronic journals. The system recognizes the user by his IP address and authorizes access to the requested database.
An Israeli university IP is required for authorization.  (The IP address is the specific number identifying the universities' computers.)

2.  IP- Based Ben-Gurion University Subscriptions:
Ben-Gurion University maintains its own subscriptions to a number of databases. These databases also recognize the user
by his IP address, and a Ben-Gurion University IP is required for authorization.

3.  Password-Based Ben-Gurion University Subscriptions:
The library subscribes to a number of databases via the OCLC service which require a password for access.  Unlike most
other database contracts,
our contract with OCLC does not permit unlimited use of their databases.  Each search performed on OCLC is deducted
from the number of searches the library has purchased.  It is recommended, therefore, that this service be used only after
other databases have been searched.  Search strategy should be carefully worked out in advance.  To schedule an
appointment to search an OCLC database, please contact the Yaatz reference desk (6461413).

4.  Free External Databases:
Several databases located on the Internet provide free access to all users.
The library is not responsible for the accuracy or maintenance of the addresses or sites. 

CD-ROM DATABASES:
A number of the library's databases still use CD-ROM technology and are available from Aranne Library computers only.
Most of these databases are located on the library's CD-ROM Network but some, due to technical problems, are accessible
only from a dedicated computer in Yaatz.

LOCATING DATABASE SEARCH RESULTS:
After completing a database search, use the computerized catalog (ALEPH) to locate the material in the library;
some online database interfaces include a direct link to ALEPH.  Material not owned by the Ben-Gurion University Library
can be ordered through interlibrary loan.  To locate materials in other libraries in Israel, use ULI (for books) and
ULE and ULS (for journals). (For direct access to ULI, ULE and ULS via the library homepage,
click on "National Catalogs & Databases".)  The Interlibrary Loan librarians can also locate and request materials
from outside the country.

DATABASE-SEARCH INSTRUCTION:

To assist the user in the effective use of our computerized databases, the library provides several types of instruction:

1.  Individual instruction in the use of specific databases is available for BGU students and faculty.  For information or
an appointment, please contact the Yaatz reference desk (6461413) or the appropriate reading room.

2.  Group database instruction for students can be requested by the course instructor.  Please contact the Head of Public Services (6461418),
the Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and Instructional Services (6461414) or the librarian specialist in the appropriate subject area.

3.  Group instruction and /or introduction to new databases for faculty members can be arranged by contacting
the Head of Public Services (6461418), the Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and Instructional Services (6461414) or the
librarian specialist in the appropriate subject area.

4.  Tutorials and help sheets, prepared by Aranne librarians, are available via the library homepage. 
Click on "Electronic Databases – Tutorials and Help Sheets".

 

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