Webpage information,“Who Knew?” and “Find That Link”.

Usually, due to time restraints, when I look for one of our databases or want to give a customer a demonstration, I go straight from the Research Tools tab to the left, bottom entry of All of the above in alphabetical order.  It is a straight- forward link to the databases. However, if that is all I ever do, I will miss the wonderful links to some of the best information on the internet. Clicking a category on the left panel opens up all kinds of valuable web resources.

Why bother?

The web links are already scrutinized for authentic information, saving valuable time.

You can look for the information in the branch or from home.

Demonstrating even one area encourages customers to look at other information in the Research Tools.

The links supplement or, in some cases, replace databases.

They contain fascinating stuff.

Monthly report information

Remember you can use searching this area as a training experience. Open and look closely at the contents at least three times.

Working with this site fulfills strategic goals:

You can use this information to help fulfill any of MCL  Strategic Goals. Apply it where you will to help with your personal or branch goals.

On the front page, orange bar tab, click Research Tools.

On the left panel, click each entry starting at Biographies and observe the contents. The databases are usually entered first and then the web links follow. Pay special attention to the following three categories.

1.                  Democracy has no links in the middle panel. The links are drop downs right under Democracy. By clicking on Democracy you will open 20 of them.

2.                  Health and Medicine has one link under it to area hospitals, plus all the links in the center panel.

3.                  History and Geography has two drop down links to Local History and Pacific Northwest. Click on both of these. There are other links in the center panel.

Newspapers and Magazines in the center panel has Newspapers Available at Mid-Columbia Libraries Current and historical local and regional newspapers. Historic Newspapers in Washington Search newspapers from the late 1800's by subject or personal name. Library Press Display800+ newspapers from 81 countries in 38 languages.

Short cut  http://www.midcolumbialibraries.org/research-tools