Gale InfoTrac
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
Gale InfoTrac
Aug. 2010 - reviewed and revised, specifically Gale Virtual Reference Library and Books & Authors SR
GETTING STARTED:
For Gale, we need to clarify the difference between the large OneFiles (General OneFile and Academic OneFile)
and how these impact the other databases from Gale.
General OneFile is a huge database that contains the general interest periodicals and news sources. It
serves as the "master database” for many of the general interest subsets.
Academic OneFile, which is also huge, contains the academic journals and news sources specifically aimed at
4-year institutions and graduate school programs.
Most of the “databases” that we list from Gale are actually subsets of these enormous OneFiles. Those subset
databases are simply split out to make the content more subject-focused and to limit the number of results
for users.
Powerpacks are even smaller, more subject-focused databases. Most of them contain anywhere from 40
to 250 periodical titles.
BASIC SEARCHING IN GALE:
1. We have many InfoTrac databases available through the Michigan eLibrary (MeL). This class will
use General Reference Center Gold as a teaching model; many of the others search/function the same way.
Title lists and counts are constantly changing, so explain that Gale’s website keeps updated lists
available: http://www.gale.com/title_lists/
There is also a daily update on the top of the screen indicating how many titles are currently included and
the last date for updates in each database.
MeL also has the full text electronic journal list available (link on left of home page) which indicates what
databases contain various journal titles.
2. Gale databases available through MeL are all listed and described on the Gale menu page which
can be reached from any Gale search screen by clicking on CHANGE DATABASES at the top right of the
screen. You can show that feature once you begin searching.
3. In this class, we will use General Reference Center
Gold as our search model. Once you know how to search that database, you will be able to search all the others that function the same way.
(Business and Company Resource Center, ChiltonLibrary.com, Health and Wellness Resource Center,
Kids InfoBits, Biography and Genealogy Master Index, and Books & Authors use different
interfaces.)
4. Go to mel.org. Explain that in this class we are learning how to search specific databases from
the native interfaces. To get to those databases, click on MEL DATABASES. Find GENERAL REFERENCE CENTER GOLD
in the alphabetical list. The title of the database is a link directly to it, so click on the title.
5. oint out the name of the library and the MeL logo at the top.
6. Discuss and point out the default settings and features of the search screen:
a. Basic search defaults to keyword – users can change radio buttons to subject or entire document (full
text).
b. MeL displays some expanded search options:
Limit results:
-Defaults to full text – users can uncheck the box
-Peer-reviewed – users can check the box
-Documents with images – users can check the box
Banners across the top have other search options and features some of which will be discussed later during
the demonstration.
On the left is anavigation column with a "dashboard" showing information
about the database being searched. This navigation dashboard will change as we do a search.
Hot topic tabs are another feature. The tabs have several articles on topics editors have selected, and
these are updated on a regular basis.
The Basic Keyword search was selected as the MeL default because it should produce results for
almost any search entered. Explain that it should be used either for quick results on almost any
topic with the default settings, or it can be used to search for a very specific article by using
all of the limitation features available.
7. For our demonstration, we will use the default settings. Begin by having the class type the word
china in the search box, then click on SEARCH.
8. Once the results screen displays, point out the features:
-another suggested subject heading, porcelain.
-results divided by tabs for different types of sources. Each tab indicates the number of results for that
type of source (could be zero).
-a drop down box on the right to sort by publication date or by relevance, and up in the right corner some
icons for various tools -- we'll see the same icons in the tool box when we view a specific article
-point out that the left navigation bar has changed. It now offers options to refine results. "Limit by:"
has a small arrow pointing right. Have the class click on it to point it down and to display the drop down
menu to limit by subject, document type, or publication title. Any subject heading links that display here
will execute a new search.
-have the class scroll down to see that the left navigation column also has image, video, and podcast results
related to the search.
9. Have the class look carefully at the type of information provided for each article or item:
Basic citation, length, reading/Lexile level, indication of what type of source this is (way over
to the right).
10. Have the class click on the first article listed. Point out that the other tabs are still visible.
For the article, there is basic information. For more details, click on SHOW DETAILS. Let the class look at
the screen differences with that information.
11. Next point out the Tools Box on the right side. This groups several handy functions in a
clearly visible way. The new interface added a "share" feature and an MP3 option for all articles.
Other handy options are still available, such as RSS feeds. Have them select a language from the drop down
menu, click the TRANSLATE button, and see how the article is machine-translated. Point out that it opens in
a new window, so they need to close the window to go back to the original article.
12. All articles now have a small speaker icon with "listen" next to it. This will read the article out loud. If you think you have time, let the class do this; otherwise, suggest they try it back at their own libraries.
13. Explain that for most articles, there are subject headings available on the left side of the
screen. Have the class click on any of the subject headings listed to see how the new search is
executed for the topic. Look at the new results list and point out the search string at the top,
which has changed to match the new search done.
14. Point out the boxes for each article. Have the class click in 3-4 boxes to mark them. Have the
class click on the MARKED ITEMS link (at the top right of the yellow bar) to see the list of articles they
checked. Notice that the Tools are now on the right top of the screen.
15. Have the class click on the envelope to email . When the new, smaller window pops up, be sure the class
looks at all the defaults and the choices. If wish to, they may type in their email addresses and send the
full text (default) of all marked items (remember: it defaults to send all) to themselves. The same is
true for the print button, so tell them to be alert to how many things are “marked” before emailing or
printing! (don’t print during a class, please).
BROWSE SUBJECTS SEARCH:
1. The results obtained from a keyword search are different than what is obtained from a Browse Subjects
Search.
Have the class click on BROWSE SUBJECTS in the yellow bar along the top of the page. Point out that users can
click on any letter for a very long list of subjects, if they really want to browse that way. Since the
lists are so long, we don't recommend that for most searches.
2. Have the class type the word china in the search box again, then click on GO. The recommended use
for a Browse Subjects Search is when a user has a very broad topic and needs to narrow or focus the search to
a more manageable subtopic.
Ask them to just scroll down and review the terms that are listed as subjects, related subjects, etc. Point
out that next to the subject of China there is a small plus mark. Have them click on that PLUS SIGN to break
out the subdivisions. Have the class click on the subdivision AGRICULTURAL POLICY. Search results display
in the typical fashion. Point out the search string in small text across the top of the page. This helps
users remember what they have been doing. In the same line is a blue link for BROWSE SUBJECTS. Have them
click on that to return to the results of the earlier search.
Now, next to the heading of China, have them click on RELATED SUBJECTS and give them a few minutes to
scroll down and review that list. Remind them again that using these types of subject searches can really be
useful for users who need to narrow a search or find more specific information.
TRAINER: DO THIS NEXT SECTION IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE TIME. YOU MIGHT DO IT ONLY AS A DEMO AND NOT HAVE PEOPLE FOLLOW ALONG IF TIME IS SHORT.
USING GALE’S POWERSEARCH:
1. To get to the Gale PowerSearch page, have the class click on CHANGE DATABASES at the top of the screen.
Some users may want a specific type of information, such as only newspapers and only health sources, or
perhaps business and health sources on the same topic. By selecting only a few of the Gale InfoTrac
databases, users will have more focused results lists returned.
Explain to the class that any database displaying with a checkbox to the left of the title may be
cross-searched using Gale’s PowerSearch. The blue background behind the title indicates that this database is
selected for searching, or when a user checks a box, the background will turn blue.
2. Point out the “Select All” box at the top. Have the class click and unclick the box to see what
happens, ending up with no boxes checked.
Have the class check the boxes for only New York Times, Computer Database, and Educator's Reference
Complete. Click on CONTINUE.
3. Point out the Currently Searching box at the left top. Have the class type hydroelectric power in
the search box, then click on SEARCH.
Point out that results are displayed just as we have seen before. The major difference is that the
search actually ran across all 3 databases and returns results from all 3. Have the class see what is at each
tab and note that the database is listed at the end of each citation.
4. Have the class use the drop down menu at the top right to re-sort the results by RELEVANCE, then
have them look at the difference in the listing.
5. Ask the class if they can think of other searches where it would be useful to search across
several of the InfoTrac databases at once.
6. Explain that there are many other features that offer detailed searching options. We do not have
time in class to demonstrate all of them, but participants may want to take a look at Advanced Search and
Browse Publications. Each offers finely tuned techniques for tailoring searches to specific questions.
GALE VIRTUAL REFERENCE LIBRARY:
We just want to have the class take a look at this quickly to make sure everyone understands how
much information is available. Have them click on CHANGE DATABASES at the top of the GRCG search
screen. From the Gale menu page, have them scroll down and select GALE VIRTUAL REFERENCE LIBRARY.
MeL has about a dozen titles in GVRL. Give them a minute to notice the wide variety of reference coverage in this
set.
Doing a Basic Search will search all the books, or users can select a title from the list. Have
them type Egypt in the box and do the search. Have them look at the results to see that articles
are pulled from a wide variety of the books in this database. Let them click on any article that
looks interesting and point out that the search term is highlighted in red.
There is a small "speaker/listen" link on the upper left side of each article. This will read the
article out loud for users.
Have the class click on CHANGE DATABASES again to get to the Gale menu.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
(under construction 8/19/10 - there will probably be changes)
This new database was launched in mid-2010 and added to MeL in August. It is very colorful and visually appealing.
It is aimed primarily at teens through adults. Even though it has children's titles and information, most younger users
would need some help to find things. To add to its appeal, it has the look and feel of commercial sites such as
Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
This database does not aim to be complete. In other words, it does not contain information on every book ever written. Editors choose what to include or what to exclude.
1. Begin by pointing out the features of the main page. This should be a fairly intuitive database, but there is a LOT of stuff on the page, so we'll try to hit the high points and not confuse anyone.
(Personally, it makes me a little dizzy looking at so many options! SR)
First, there is a simple search box in the top banner, with a drop down menu to change from title to Author, Keyword, or Series. There is also an Advanced Search link available. We'll come back to the searches later.
Next, point out that the tan bar across the screen with six links for browsing or finding various lists. Have the class click on Expert Picks. Two separate drop down menus are displayed, each with very long lists of recommended readings. Asked them to just scroll down and take a look at the type of thing available - just about any kind of list you could think of!
Have the class click on Books & Authors to go back to the home screen. There is a large blue box on the right side of the screen. This can be customized, and the Library of Michigan may do something for the MeL account. For now, it is generic (Aug. 2010). The top half has a Monthly Highlights link, and the bottom half has cover art of current best sellers.
The next thing we want to look at is how much of the information in this database available in several ways. For example, "Who, What, When, Where?" is a brown tab, but is also available in a box with four bubbles labeled the same way. "Seasonal Suggestions" and "Spotlight on" are available with cover art in the middle of the page -- but they can also be found by clicking on "Monthly Highlights" in the large blue box.
This type of duplication is probably good for the general public because users can find their information in a variety of ways. As librarians, some of us will probably think the page is crowded and annoying with all the duplication, but we need to remember that the intended end user is the public, not us.
Point out that the phrase "View Lists" is found in several places on the home page -- it will always take the user to the same page we saw when we clicked on "Expert Picks" at the top of the page. I find this confusing, since the first time I tried a link, I thought I was going to get a list of things related to the topic in the box (SR).
Similarly, any time you click on the phrase "Read More" it goes to the Monthly Highlights and Spotlights page that its also found in the big blue box.
If the user mouses over cover art and then clicks, it will go to specific information about that book.
Now, ask the class to look at the green bar on the left side of the screen. Point out the Books & Authors has information on both fiction and non-fiction books. Fiction is the default. Point out that there are eight fiction genres listed. You also need to point out that under each of these eight genre links you find a link that says "about this genre." These go to different pages!!!
If we click on Mystery Fiction, we get a page with "sub genres" in a lighter shade of green. There will also be letters for browsing across the top and cover art for some of the most recent titles published (these results are sorted in reverse chronological order).
Have the class pick any "sub genre" and click on it. We have now narrowed our list. Next point out the radio buttons at the top of this page and have the class click in the button for Young Adult. Once more, we have narrowed our results list.
Now, have the class look at the darker green bar and click on any link for "about this genre." This will take each person to a different essay, along with a list of archived essays, on the genre selected.
NOTE: (SR) on 8/24/2010, Per email from Gale content support staff, it is a "known issue" that the archived essays all appear to be dated October 1205. I will edit this section when that bug is fixed. SR.
Have the class click on the green tab for non-fiction to see what subjects are listed there. Let each person click on one subject to see that the format is similar to what we've already seen when looking at fiction.
Go back to the home page.
Point out the tan box on the right side of the screen, in the middle. This is where users can create an account, create their own book lists, etc. We won't take time in class to do this, but it will probably be a popular feature for bibliophiles.
Basic search:
Advanced search:
No exercises, but if there is time, allow the class to "play" with the database for a few minutes.
CHILTONLIBRARY.COM:
Have them scroll down to ChiltonLibrary.com. Have them read the description and then open the
database.
Chilton's is a straightforward, intuitive database that is sure to be very popular with many
patrons. Have the participants select year, make and model of their own vehicles and click on SELECT.
Point out that three options are available for most vehicles: Bulletins/Recalls, Maintenance,
Repair. For our quick demo today, click on BULLETINS/RECALLS. Let each person click on one entry. A PDF file
should open (depending on how the browser is set up, it may be a tab or it may be a new window).
Have them close the PDF file that opened.
Since most people who will use ChiltonLibrary are probably already familiar with “car stuff,” it
should be fairly easy for them to use. We are not going to spend a lot of time on it in this
class. The best thing is that the online version can not be stolen from the shelves!
Since Chiltons is considered a “third party database,” there is no link back to the Gale menu from
this interface.
