- Jan Cook
- Posted On
Students, teachers, parents can now access ProQuest research databases through Lake County Library
ProQuest databases can be found on the library website from the main page by clicking Digital Content and then the ProQuest Research link.
The databases do require a temporary or physical Lake County library card. Online cards will need to upgrade to a physical card to be able to use ProQuest Research. To speak to a library employee about ProQuest or other library services, call 707-263-8817.
ProQuest Research includes six different databases. Through a single interface, the ProQuest Unified Search, students can search several databases.
CultureGrams presents concise and reliable cultural information on countries around the world.
SIRS Discoverer offers newspapers, magazines, and images for new researchers, especially elementary and middle school students and educators.
The SIRS Issues Researcher includes curriculum-aligned database of pro/con content organized by complex issues, ideally for middle and high school students and educators.
ELibrary is a general reference aggregation of periodical and digital media content with editorial guidance for new researchers.
Ebook Central provides authoritative, full-text e-books in a wide range of subject areas along with powerful tools to find, use, and manage the information.
The ProQuest Research Companion helps students learn how to research and evaluate information. The information literacy tools and tutorials help students develop critical thinking.
Online resources paid for by the State of California from Encyclopaedia Britannica, ProQuest and TeachingBooks are already available through multiple means – at school, at home, on laptops, on phones – to all K-12 educators, students, librarians, administrators and families in California.
Britannica and TeachingBooks have been available through local libraries since the 2018 school year. This is the first year for six ProQuest platforms to be available through library websites as well.
“It’s a simple idea: Help more California school kids succeed by being able to find more reliable information more easily where they’ll be going to school this fall – online,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas.
Increasing opportunities for learning online prepares California students for a 21st Century information and innovation-driven economy.
These resources offered by the state include educational tutorials and guides to assist teachers and students, as well as millions of pieces of information from hundreds of newspapers, periodicals and scientific journals.
Many of the resources and search tools can address cultural sensitivity and diversity. Others support early childhood learning.
“Yet another reason every Californian should have a library card,” said Lucas.
The availability of these online resources for all public schools and libraries comes from an annual investment of $3 million through the California State Library that began in August 2018.
Since then, the websites have seen 123 million clicks, views and downloads.
There has been as much as a 590 percent increase in usage of some resources since March when schools closed.
Jan Cook is a library technician with the Lake County Library.