SIRS Renaissance
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
SIRS Renaissance
Revised Feb. 2011 SR
This database is very popular with teachers, librarians, and students because it covers such a wide range of topics and is very straightforward to use.
It is a reference database that provides information on the following topics: architecture and design, culture, literature, multimedia, music, performing arts, philosophy and religion, and visual arts. Full text articles are selected from more than 1200 domestic and international publications. It is updated daily, with coverage from 1983 to present.
Articles and images in SIRS Renaissance are carefully selected according to strict SIRS criteria for content reliability, relevance, and age-appropriateness. Users can easily retrieve information by subject heading, topic browse, and keyword searches. The articles are indexed according to Library of Congress-derived subject headings to ensure the best results. Results can be printed, saved, shared, translated, and emailed.
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Start the demonstration by finding SIRS RENAISSANCE in the alphabetical list of databases at mel.org and open it.
Point out that main screen has some layout and functional similarities to the already-familiar SIRS Discoverer screen, which should make it easy for students to pick up if they have used Discoverer.
There is a basic search box at the top. In the middle, there are several browsing categories with descriptions of their subtopics. On the right side of the screen there is a box for Editor's Top Pick and a box for Database Features, including Curriculum Pathfinders - which we will come back to look at later.
Literary Corner is an author search option. There are also several tabs and text links across the top of the screen for navigation and tools.
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KEYWORD SEARCH:
Type anime in the basic keyword (default) search box. Point out that ProQuest has added a type-ahead feature. If the word being typed matches a subject indexed in the database, it will offer suggested subject headings. In this case, there is no match for anime. Click on SEARCH.
Give the class a few minutes to look at the results page as you scroll down.
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Point out the tabs and tools links across the top. Point out the box on the left that indicates the number of each type of results, point out the box with related subject headings for each article.
Point out the citation for the kind of information available there. Click the first article title to see what the full text looks like.
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The Toolbox across the top is a great place to direct students to find help with research papers, how to do Powerpoints, how to prepare for a debate, how to cite, etc. "My List" is a personal file for students to store "tagged" articles. In 2009, ProQuest added translation into eleven languages. Use the drop down menu to select, then wait for the article to be translated (might be a bit slow). Point out the box on the right that has Citation; clicking on this will show a bib citation that can be copied and pasted.
SUBJECT HEADING SEARCH:
Click on SIRS in the upper left corner to get return to the search screen. Change the radio button to SUBJECT HEADINGS. Type sundance in the box. As mentioned earlier, ProQuest has added a type-ahead feature. If the word being typed matches a subject indexed in the database, it will offer suggested subject headings. In this case, two subject headings appear.
Select one of the subject headings. The search is done automatically. Point out that the results screen functions the same way as when we did a keyword search.
Allow a minute to examine the results page.
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Click on the TOOLBOX link at the top. This has several handy articles that might be of interest. Suggest that they might want to look at the article titled "Research Guide for Critical Thinking." It's wonderful!
Click on SIRS in the left corner again to return to the home page.
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BROWSE TOPICS SEARCH:
Point out the large box in the middle of the screen. It has eight major topics, and each of those has many subtopics. This can help users narrow down a search idea. Click on Music in the Browse Topics area, then select a subtopic of interest to you.
PLEASE NOTE: As of July 2009, the results for this type of search will still display in the "old" way. If you look at the screen, most of the functionality is there, it is just visually different. ProQuest plans to release an enhancement sometime in the next year that will make these results screens consistent with the keyword and subject search results screens.
Give the class a few minutes to look at the results so that they understand this.
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DATABASE FEATURES:
From this results screen, click on DATABASE FEATURES at the top of the screen. Don't take time in class, but point out that there is a Current Events link on this page - many students will find this helpful.
In the box, select LITERARY CORNER. Use the alphabetical choices to find an author of your choice, and show them what type of information is displayed.
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Go back to the home screen (click on SIRS) and point out the other features in the box in the lower right corner of the screen.
"Spotlight on..." highlights a different topic each month, with an archive for previous topics.
CURRICULUM PATHFINDERS is a great section where students can find a wide-ranging set of reliable websites covering all types of topics, not only the focus topics for Renaissance. There are websites for math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, and health. Many of them are interactive learning activities. This is an excellent part of Renaissance for all students to use.
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Finally, click on the DATABASE FEATURES tab at the top of the page. On the next page, there is a direct link to SIRS Discoverer, for students who want to switch to the other database. Many high school students are very comfortable with the materials in Discoverer.
Remind everyone that SIRS Renaissance should be highly useful and popular for students from middle school on up.
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