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How to Use Catalogs & Databases

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

How to Find Magazine Articles

Places where you can find magazine articles.

Flipster logoFlipster is a next-generation digital magazine solution that makes it easy for you to read your favorite magazines on your computer or mobile device.

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:
    • Type and enter a search query in the Search Box
    • Click on the Advanced Search link to start an advanced search
    • Click on the Search History link to view your previous searches
  2. From the main page:
    • Scroll to browse Popular Magazines and Categories

Searching from the Advanced Search Page

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  1. From the Advanced Search area:
    • Enter search term(s) in the search box(es)
    • Select Fields such as Title or Category
    • Select Search Modes such as AND, OR, and NOT
  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
      • Magazine Title
      • Publisher
      • ISSN
      • Full Text

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
    • Click on the Relevance drop-down box to change sorting options
    • Click on the Page Options drop-down box to change the page settings
    • Click on the Share drop-down box to see sharing options
    • Click on the Title or Read This Issue link to be taken to the current issue of that magazine
    • Read a short description of the magazine
  2. From the left-side menu:
    • Check your current search term and settings
    • Limit the results by Full Text

Viewing the Full Text of a Source

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  1. From the main area:
    1. Read the full issue of the magazine
  2. From the right-side:
    • View All Issues of the magazine
    • View Pages of the current issue
    • Zoom in or out
    • Scroll through the issue
    • Print the issue
    • Change the Settings for the page

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.

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 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

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