Tune-Up #8: Our Virtual Library and the TPPL Website

DEFINE
In addition to our physical library — the building filled with books and real people — we’ve created an electronic library that is accessible from the Internet. Also known as a “virtual library,” this collection of online resources allows patrons to conduct research from home. Many of these resources consist of searchable “databases” that have information organized for fast retrieval.

DISCOVER
In most cases the library pays for a subscription to each service (for example, the Newsbank database). Others are created by our own staff (for example, the “Coming Soon” list of books by popular authors). One important resource is provided by Metropolitan Library System: the SWAN database.

You will find most of these resources listed in the “Rapid Research” section of our website, at http://www.tplibrary.org/. The alphabetical list shows that we subscribe to various clusters of databases (Newsbank consists of a large number of full-text newspaper files, for instance). Another list, broken down by subject, shows individual databases. Note that most of these resources are available from home, but a few (like Ancestry Library Edition) are only available when using library computers.

DO
1. Start Internet Explorer, and navigate to http://www.tplibrary.org/. Observe the series of drop-down menus at the top, then let your mouse hover over the button labeled “Rapid Research.” As the drop-down menu appears, click on “Resources (by Alphabet).” Read through the descriptions of the various services. Notice that many of these services are actually groups of individual databases; for example, FirstSearch includes one database of medical journal articles, a second database for doctoral dissertations, and many others. Some databases include the complete text of the original article, and some are simply references to articles.

2. After reading the descriptions, click on “Reference USA” and enter your library card number. Reference USA is a compilation of residential and business telephone listings, with some additional information. Select “US Businesses,” type in the company name “Juan More Taco,” and take note where this restaurant is located.

3. Go back to the “Rapid Research” dropdown menu at http://www.tplibrary.org/, choose “Resources (by Alphabet)” once more, and then select “HeritageQuest” from the menu of items. Search the 1930 Census for a friend or relative who would have been living in the United States at that time period. (Ask a librarian at the Adult Services desk if you need help.) Make a note of the information on the Census record (birth year of the person, street address, other family members who lived at the address, etc.).

4. Go back to the library home page at http://www.tplibrary.org/. Let your mouse hover over “Books & DVDs,” and select “Books Coming Soon.” Locate one of your favorite authors in the list, and note when the next book is due to be released for publication. Click on the title and the relevant SWAN record will appear, allowing you to request the book.

Were you surprised at the variety of information available at our virtual library? Are you tempted to continue your family history research in resources like HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library Edition? Write about your experiences in your Blog.

Next week’s Tune-Up (Tune-Up #9) concerns Twitter. Get ready to read “tweets” from your favorite celebrities!