Category: EBRPL Search Hint

Unleash the Power of Library Databases

We have a fantastic selection of databases available at the library covering a wide variety of subject areas. To find out how to get the best results from your searches visit our Database Tutorial Guide, which shows you how to use them quickly and effectively.

Whether searching Credo Reference, or EBSCO for articles, or using Ancestry.com and Mango Languages, these instructions and lively video walk-throughs will point you in the right direction. Before you start researching that homework paper find out which tool is best suited for the job, and how to use it!

If you need help you can always call the friendly staff at the Reference desk at 231-3750 and we can answer any other questions you have.

Kids @ EBRPL: Homework Help

Looking for homework help? Try checking out the resources on the Kids @ EBRPL page. You’ll find great, librarian vetted sites on these homework topics and more: Biography, English, Geography, Government, Math, Reading, Science and lots of Louisiana specific goodies.

There is so much more to see on the Kids @ EBRPL page away from the world of homework, including fun stuff like coloring sheets, games, puzzles, places to go and things to do.

Consumer Reports @ the Library

When it comes to making a purchase, you need to know the facts before you buy. Having reliable and non-biased reviews can help make sure you make the right buying decision.

One of the best and most trusted consumer resources is Consumer Reports magazine. We get copies every month including special issues such as the Annual Buying Guide. We also have back issues available for check out.

As well as the magazines, you can access Consumer Reports online through our EBSCOhost online database. Enter your library card number, choose advanced search and in the publication box enter Consumer Reports, then search away!

To find more consumer resources including books and quality websites full of product reviews, head over to our Consumer InfoGuide.

Interlibrary Loan

You’ve searched for a book in our library catalog only to find that we don’t have it. You really want to read it; does this mean buying it yourself is the only option?

No! Our Interlibrary Loan staff can try and borrow it for you from another library in the state or elsewhere in the country.  There are some books w are unable to request, for example textbooks and new releases. For complete details and to request a title head over to the Interlibrary Loan page on our website.  You can also call Library Information at 231-3750!

If you think there is a title that we should have in our collection permanently you can also Request a Purchase

Get Human: How to Find a Live Customer Service Operator

We featured this site a couple of years ago and it was recently included in Time.com’s best 50 sites of 2011, so I thought it was worth sharing again:

We’ve all been there, calling a customer service number and trawling through options, pressing numbers, getting nowhere except more frustrated. All you want to do is talk to an actual person!

Gethuman.com can help. This free website run by volunteers provides a database of methods to get to a live operator as soon as possible. The site allows you to rate your experiences and to submit your own findings. They also have a free app for iPhone/iTouch. Give it a try!

Library Apps for Your Phone

We’ve added an InfoGuide that looks at the mobile friendly resources we have at the library. You can access mobile versions of the library site, InfoGuides and even some databases.

We also look at free apps for iPhone/iTouch/iPad, Android and BlackBerry devices that you can download. As the number of apps and mobile sites is on the increase we’ll be updating the guide with the latest arrivals. Head over to our Mobile Apps InfoGuide.

EBSCO Database iPhone App Available

EBSCOhost our ‘go-to’ database for finding journal articles, now has a free iPhone/iPod Touch app! Here are some of the features:

  • Choose which databases to search
  • Limit results to full text or peer-reviewed
  • Sort by relevance or date
  • Retrieve full text results in HTML and/or PDF formats
  • Save results for offline access at a later date
  • Email results to self or others
  • View cover flow display of results

To activate the app, first head over to the iTunes App Store, search for ‘EBSCOhost‘ and install it, then go to the EBRPL library online databases page. Log in with your library card and choose EBSCO Host. After selecting databases, hit continue and on the next page you will see a link saying ‘EBSCOhost iPhone/iPod Touch Application’. After clicking that link you can enter your email address and you will receive a key to access the app.

Click the link in the email you receive and your app is live. It is definitely worth going through these few set-up steps for the benefits of this great app!

Consumer Reports & More

When it comes to making a purchase, you need to know the facts before you buy. Whether it’s a new microwave or a used car, having reviews can help make sure you make the right buying decision.

One of the best and most trusted consumer resources is Consumer Reports magazine. We get copies every month including special issues such as the Annual Buying Guide. We also have back issues available for check out.

As well as the magazines you can access Consumer Reports online through our EBSCOhost online database. Enter your library card number, choose advanced search and in the publication box enter Consumer Reports, then search away!

To find more consumer resources including books at the library and quality websites full of product reviews head over to our Consumer InfoGuide.

Database Tutorials

Take a look at our Database Tutorial Guide that shows you how to use the wonderful databases we have, quickly and effectively.

Whether searching Credo Reference, or EBSCO for articles, or using Mango Languages and Optimal Resume, these instructions and lively video walk-throughs will point you in the right direction.  If you need help you can always call the friendly staff at the Reference desk at 231-3750 and we can answer any other questions you have.

We’ll be adding more tutorials so bookmark the Database Tutorials page and be sure to check back.