Accessing the Databases
Statewide and Reference Library Access
Statewide Access -- WVInfoDepot requires a username and password. For passwords or additional information about WVInfoDepot, contact the West Virginia Library Commission or your local academic, school, or public library.
Reference Library Access is only for Reference Library card holders. Contact the Reference Library for database access.
Available only in the Reference Library items must be used in the Reference Library.
WVLC Research Guide is a collection of databases, websites, and library materials that can be used as research starters or to provide additional information on a topic.
Troubleshooting
- This system works best with Internet Explorer or Firefox web browsers.
- Others may use the services if they are in the library.
Need More Help?
E-mail or call the State Library Services at 304.558.2045 and have the following information available:
- Your name
- Your computer operating system
- The type of browser you are using
- If you received an error message please provide it
- Is it a specific database you can not access?
We will check into the problem, consult with our Systems Manager, and get back to you as soon as possible with additional information.
Research Starters
Britannica Reference Library Access
To access this resource from ouside the library, click here. Provides articles from Encyclopedia Britannica’s 29 volumes. Includes selected periodicals, multimedia and video files and chosen internet sites.
CredoReference Reference Library Access
This general reference resource contains entries from general and specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, atlases, etc.
EBSCOHost Statewide Access -- WVInfoDepot
Full-text magazine databases covering all subject areas including business, education, children's information, science, multi-cultural issues, health, and more.
Gale Virtual Reference Library Reference Library Access
Includes over 20 individual reference resources on aging, animals, arts, crime, education, environment, fashion, history, government, law, literature, nutrition, religion, science and social issues.
Oxford Reference Online: Premium Collection Reference Library Access
Contains brief reference information and in-depth articles across all subjects, including cross references to related topics and reliable web sites.
Points of View Reference Center Statewide Access -- WVInfoDepot
Provides students and schools with a series of controversial essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. Essays are accompanied by thousands of supporting articles including periodical articles, reference books, wire transcripts and streaming videos.
TOPICSearch Statewide Access -- WVInfoDepot
Current events database.Covers popular topics in the news. Explores social, political and economic issues and scientific discoveries.
Why use a database instead of a webpage?
Use the databases to find peer reviewed articles, statistics, art work and more that is not available to you on the web. The databases that the Library subscribes to contain material that is not accessible via a web search (i.e. using Google, Yahoo!, Live Search or other search engines).
The material found within the databases is generally more acceptable to use than much of the material found on the web because it comes from professionals working in the field that you are researching. Although you still need to scrutinize the material that you are finding in the databases to make sure that it is appropriate, you can be much more certain that the information is more credible than what you might find from a basic web search.
If you need help in choosing or using a database please feel free to contact the Reference Library.
Funding for this project is provided by the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the West Virginia Library Commission.