What is a database? | Which database should I use? 
Database selection guide | OK, I've chosen a database. How do I find what I need?

What is a database?

1. A collection of information organized so that you can find the one piece within the collection that you need.
2. A tool to help you find magazine and newspaper articles. You can search by article title, magazine or newspaper name, article author, subject, or date.
3. A tool to give you access to tutorials, images, maps, reports, languages, and other kinds of special information.
4. A premium service provided to you by Round Rock Public Library and the Texas State Library's TexShare program.

Which database should I use?

• That depends on what you want to find and what you already know.
  • If you have no idea which database will help you, consult the Databases by Category page. You will see which databases contains particular topics or kinds of items. For example:
    • If you need to find a law or a legal form, you can find a database to use in the "Government & Laws" category.
    • If you want an edition of a newspaper, you can get help from the "Newspapers" or "Current Events" categories.
  • If you know the name of the database that you want to use, go to the Databases by Alphabet page to find that database quickly.
• Use this guide:

How do I find what I need?

• Each database has help screens. Refer to these for searching tutorials.
• Each database is unique. Refer to the help screens for specific instructions for that database.
• Stop by the reference desk for a demonstration on how to use the databases.
• Call the reference desk at 512-218-7000 for assistance.
• Basic searching instructions:
  • Enter a keyword:
    • for an author
    • for an article title
    • for a subject (like fitness or presidents)
    • for a publication title
    • for a publication date
  • Look at your search results list.
    • If a result item includes full text, you will see a link like one of these:
      • html
      • pdf
      • full text
    • Click on the full text link to access the article.
    • If you do not see a link to full text, then the result is a citation.
      • Print or record the citation so that you can search for the journal.
      • You may have to visit an academic library in order to access an academic journal (as in the example below.)
        • For help finding an academic library, ask a reference librarian.
    • Search result example: 
      "Geospatial Agents, Agents Everywhere . . ." By: Sengupta, Raja; Sieber, Renée. Transactions in GIS, Oct2007, Vol. 11 Issue 4, p483-506, 24p, 4 charts, 1 diagram
      • article title = "Geospatial Agents, Agents Everywhere . . ."
      • artilcle authors = Raja Sengupta and Renée Sieber
      • journal title = Transactions in GIS
      • journal date = October 2007
      • details helpful for locating the article in the journal = volume 11, Issue 4, pages 483-506
      • to find this journal
        • search the Texas Group Catalog to locate a library holding that journal
        • do a title keyword search for the journal title Transactions in GIS
        • the example journal is available at Austin Public Libraries and at The University of Texas at Austin Libraries