Skip to Main Content

How to Use Catalogs & Databases

Detailed step-by-step instructions (with videos!) for using the library's catalogs and databases

How to Find eBooks

Places where you can find electronic books.

All-in-One Search: All Library Databases

All-in-One Search: All Library Databases is a broad tool for searching multiple library resources at once. Gather information from books and ebooks; articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers; theses/dissertations; reports; reference works; & more. This search system will mix the different types of sources into one list of search results.

Here's a link:

Searching from the Basic Search Page (Main Page)

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. Access library services, such as Ask a Librarian, and Advanced Search from menu icon
  2. Enter search terms in the search box and click the Search button

Searching from the Advanced Search Page

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. Change "All Fields" drop-down to search by title, author, etc.
  2. Enter search term(s) in box(es)
  3. Change "AND" drop-down box to adjust AND, OR, NOT options to search for all words, any words, or exclude words
  4. Click the "Add a row" link to add more search box rows, if needed
  5. Publication date range: enter dates to limit results by date
  6. Show content type: check box(es) to limit by content type, such as book, ebook, article, etc.
  7. Language: click the drop-down to limit results by language
  8. Show only: check box(es) to limit by full text, peer review, etc.
  9. Exclude from results: check box(es) to exclude specific types of sources from the results, such as newspaper articles, book reviews, etc.
  10. Expand your results: check the box to include results that the library doesn't have; this can be useful for knowing what else may be available and making interlibrary loan requests
  11. Click the "Clear Form" link if you need to clear the options and start over
  12. Click the "Back to basic search" link to return to the basic search page (main page)
  13. Click the Search button to start the search

Reviewing the Search Results

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the top:
    • Use the search box to tweak search terms, if needed
    • Click the link for the Advanced Search, if more detailed tweaks are needed
    • Click on the folder icon for saved items (articles, ebooks, etc.)
    • Click on the menu icon for additional services
    • Look at the number of results to see if there are too few or too many
    • Click on the "Relevance" link to change the sorting option to sort by date
    • Check the box for "Add results beyond your library's collection" to show items that might be useful to request from interlibrary loan
  2. From the left-side menu:
    • Refine your source: click on options to refine results by source characteristics (full text, peer-review, etc.)
    • Content type: click on options to limit the results by content type (newspaper article, book/ebook, journal article, etc.)
    • Discipline: click on options to limit results by subject or discipline; click on the "More" link to show the full list of disciplines/subjects available
    • Publication date: enter dates to limit results to items published within a specific date range
    • Subject terms: click on options to limit results by subject terms, which are related to how the sources are indexed or categorized
    • Language: if sources are in several languages, options will appear to limit the results
  3. From the right-side options:
    • Look for definitions from Encyclopædia Britannica
    • A Related Topics section will suggest topics or phrases that the system thinks are related to your search terms; may be useful for adjusting the search when the results aren't quite right
  4. For each source:
    • Click on the "Preview" link to view a preview of the source (a panel will open below the source's title)
    • Icons: there are several icons with additional options
      • Click on the quotation mark (citation icon) for the citation generator
      • Click on the email icon to email the source information to yourself or someone else
      • Click on the folder icon to save the source to your account
      • click on the ellipses icon to export the source information to a citation manager (Zotero, etc.)
    • Availability: look for the availability or source location information
      • for print books, this will be a call number to locate the book in the library
      • for electronic sources (ebooks, articles, etc.), this will be a link to the database that has the source
    • Source title link: click on the title of the source to go to the full text for that source
      • for print books, the link will go to the library catalog

Previewing a Source

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. Click on the "Preview" link to view a preview of the source
  2. If the source is an article, an abstract will appear. Otherwise, a brief excerpt from a book or longer source will appear
  3. There will also be source information that will be using for citing your source or locating print sources - publication date, call number, etc.
  4. Click on the "Permanent Link" link to view a permanent link to the source in Charger Search: All Library Database. This link will always work. (Copying the URL from the location bar in the browser won't always work because those URLs tend to time out.)
  5. Click on the "Preview" link again to close the preview

Viewing the Full-Text of a Source

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From "Full Text Online"
    • Click on the link for "Full Text Online"v to be taken to the item's summary page
    • Sign in with your MyCN login information
    • The summary page will be from the database where the item is hosted (such as Gale, EBSCO, etc.)
    • Depending on the database, the full text may be on the summary page (Gale, JStor, etc.) or you may need to click a button on the side for the "PDF Full Text" or "HTML Full Text" (EBSCO and others)
  2. By clicking the title:
    • Click on the title of the material you would like to view to be taken to the item's summary page
    • Sign in with your MyCN login information
    • The summary page will be from the database where the item is hosted (such as Gale, EBSCO, etc.)
    • Depending on the database, the full text may be on the summary page (Gale, JStor, etc.) or you may need to click a button on the side for the "PDF Full Text" or "HTML Full Text" (EBSCO and others)

ProQuest Ebook Central logoEbook Central by ProQuest provides the content you need in one complete platform. With more than 1.8 million ebooks from 1,300+ leading publishers covering all academic disciplines, researchers have access to everything they need in one place.

Here's a link:

Searching from the Basic Search Page (Main Page)

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the top:
    • Click on the New Search link to start a new search
    • Click on the Publications link to see EBSCO's publications list
    • Click on the Subject Terms link to see EBSCO's subjects list
    • Click on the Cited References link to search by references
    • Click on the Images link to search only images
    • Click on the Sign in link to sign into your account
    • Click on the Folder link to see your saved folders
    • Click on the Preferences link to edit your settings
    • Click on the Languages drop down menu to change the language you're using
  2. From the main page
    • Click on the Choose Databases link to select one or more databases to search within
    • Enter a search term in the search box
    • Toggle the Search Options button to use some Advanced Search techniques such as
      • Search modes
      • Limitations such as Full Text, Peer Reviewed, Date, Publication Type, Length, and Images

Searching from the Advanced Search Page

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the search box area:
    • Click on the Field Codes link to choose which type of keyword you are searching (ex: All Text, Author, Title, Subject Terms, etc.)
    • Enter search terms in box
  2. From the Search Options area:
    • Change your Search Modes and Expanders
      • Click on the "?" button for more explanations of Search Modes
    • Limit results by
      • Full Text
      • Peer Reviewed
      • References Available
      • Published Date
      • Publication
      • Publication Type
      • Language
      • Document Type
      • Number of Pages
      • Cover Story
      • Image Quick View
      • Image Quick View Types
      • PDF Full Text
    • Click on the Search button to start the search

Reviewing the Search Results

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the main reading area:
    • The Book Results area will state how many results were found
    • Click on the Save this search link to create a saved search
    • Click on the Edit this search link to make changes to the search
    • Click on the Results per page drop-down box to change how many results are shown
    • Click on the Relevance drop-down box to change sorting options
    • Click on the Book Results tab to see ebook results
    • Click on the Chapter Results tab to see individual chapter results
    • Click on the linked title to go to an detailed summary page for the item
    • Click on the icons to the right of the title to download, read, see the Table of Contents of, or save the item
  2. From the right-side menu:
    • Refine your search by:
      • Book status
      • Year Published
      • Subject
      • Language
      • Author

Viewing the Full Text of a Source

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the main area:
    • Click on the Read Online link to read the item in your browser
    • Click on the Download Book link to download the item
    • Click on the Download PDF Chapter to download 58 pages of the PDF of the item
    • See how many pages are left to read in the item
    • Read the Description of the item
    • Click on the Chapter Titles or Read Online links to read individual chapters in your browser
    • Click on the Download PDF links to download PDFs of the individual chapters
    • Read the Abstract to get a summary of the item
  2. From the right-side menu:
    • Click on the Read Online link to read the item in your browser
    • Click on the Download Book link to download the item
    • Click on the Add to Bookshelf link to save the item
    • Click on the Share Link to Book link to get a shareable link for the item
    • Click on the Cite Book link to get citations for the item
  3. From the Read Online page:
    • Enter search terms in box to search within the item
    • See the Book Details
    • Browse the Table of Contents
    • Review any previous Annotations
    • Use the tools at the top of the page to:
      • Download the full item
      • Download a chapter
      • Copy
      • Print
      • Add to Bookshelf
      • Share Link
      • Get Citation
      • Highlight
      • Add Note
      • Add Bookmark
      • Zoom In or Out
      • Zoom to Fit Width or Page
      • Scroll between pages
  4. From the Download page:
    • Sign-in to access the download
    • Choose what type of device you are using
    • Make sure you have the appropriate software to view the item
    • Click on the Loan Length drop-down to select how long you would like access to the item
    • Click the Download button to complete the download

OverDrive logoOverDrive, Inc. is a digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, online magazines, and streaming video titles. The American company provides secure digital rights management and download fulfillment services for publishers, libraries, schools, corporations and book retailers

Searching from the Basic Search Page (Main Page)

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the top:
    • Click on the Subject link to browse by genre
    • Click on the Collections link to browse by eBooks, audiobooks, or magazines
    • Click on the Kindle Books link to browse books available on Kindle
    • Click on the Search button to pull up the basic search bar
    • After opening the search bar, type and enter a search query
    • Click on the Notifications bell to your notifications
    • Click on the Books button to view your loans, holds, and other account items
    • Click on the My Account drop-down to go to specific account locations
  2. From the main page:
    • Scroll to browse recommended items and subjects

Searching from the Advanced Search Page

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the Advanced Search area:
    • Enter search terms in the Title or Author boxes
    • Filter results by
      • Date added
      • Format
      • Subject
      • Awards
      • Availability
      • Language
      • Audience
    • Enter an ISBN for a specific item in the ISBN box to search for it
  2. From the Levels area:
    • Filter by specific levels such as:
      • Interest Levels
      • Lexile Measures
      • ATOS Levels
      • Text Difficulties

Reviewing the Search Results

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the main reading area:
    • The Search results area will state how many results were found
    • Use the squares and lists buttons to choose how the results are displayed
    • Click on the Sort by relevance drop-down box to change sorting options
    • Click on the Cover Art to be taken to the item page
    • Click on the Author link to be taken to all of that author's works
    • Click on the Borrow link to borrow the item from the results page
    • Click on the bookmark link to save the item to a list on your account
  2. From the left-side menu:
    • Filter the results by:
      • Availability
      • Audience
      • Date added
      • Ebooks
      • Audiobooks
      • Magazines
      • Subject
      • Language
      • Lexile MEasures
      • Text Difficulty

Viewing the Full Text of a Source

click here to view tutorial video (click again to close)

  1. From the main area:
    • View the cover art for the item
    • Click on the author link to taken to other works by that author
    • Click the stars to rate the item
    • View the availability
    • Click on the Borrow button to borrow the item
    • Click on the Read a Sample button to read a short excerpt from the item
    • Click on the Add to Wish List button to add it to your wish list
    • Click on the Add to History button to mark it as something you have already read
    • Read the Description and Details to get a summary of the item
  2. From the right-side:
    • View what Formats the item is available in
    • Click on the Subjects link(s) to see other works with that subject heading
    • View what Languages the item is available in
    • View what Levels the item is classified as
  3. From the bottom area:
    • View recommended items based on things you have looked at
      • Click on the Cover Art to be taken to the item page
      • Click on the Author link to be taken to all of that author's works
      • Click on the Borrow link to borrow the item from the results page
      • Click on the bookmark link to save the item to a list on your account

R2 Digital Library logoR2 Digital Library is a web-based database that offers fully integrated and searchable medical, nursing, and allied health source book content from key health science publishers.

Here's a link:

Searching from the Basic Search Page (Main Page)

click here to view video tutorial (click again to close)

  1. The upper-left corner has a menu to select options for browse, A-Z index, or My R2 for saved items
  2. Enter search terms in the search box
  3. Click on the link for Advanced Options
  4. Browse titles by alphabetical order
  5. Choose what to include in the search: active, archive, or table of contents
  6. Browse by publication title, discipline, author, or publisher
  7. Or, browse according to practice area

Searching from the Advanced Options

click here to view video tutorial (click again to close)

  1. Enter search terms in the search box
  2. Add options to narrow search according to:
    • author
    • book title
    • publisher
    • editor
    • ISBN
  3. Choose what to include: active, archive, or table of contents
  4. Limit by publication date
  5. Click the Search button to start the search
  6. Click the Clear link to start over

Reviewing the Search Results

click here to view video tutorial (click again to close)

  1. The Current Search section displays the current search terms
  2. Navigate through the pages of search results using the "Jump to page" section at the top
  3. View the number of results and recommended terms
  4. The "Show results from" section provides options to narrow results according to source type
  5. The "Filter by" section provides options to filter results by practice area, publication date, discipline, and more
  6. The "Search elsewhere" section provides options to repeat the search in PubMed or via MeSH terms

Viewing the Full Text of an eBook

click here to view video tutorial (click again to close)

  1. From the top bar:
    • Browse/Search this Title: click on drop-down to browse/search the full ebook
    • Topics: click on drop-down to browse the full ebook by topic (similar to using an index)
    • Tools: click on drop-down to use tools such as print, save, cite, etc.
  2. Navigate throughout the full ebook by clicking on the contents links (provides details showing where in the book the section is from)
  3. Go back to the previous section by clicking on the Previous link
  4. The title of the book is at the top of the page
  5. The title of the section is below the title of the book

Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.