Using EBSCO Databases to Find Statistical Information

There are several databases in NC LIVE dedicated to statistical information under the Data and Demographics section. Did you know that you can find statistical information using keywords and limits in other EBSCO-supported databases including Academic Search Complete?

Find Statistical Information Using Keywords and Limits

If you are trying to include statistics in your results, you can target those by using the following keywords:

• Findings
• Results
• Study
• Analysis

Here's an example statistics keyword search in an EBSCO database using the Advanced Search option::

To pull up statistical findings using limits, make sure you select either "chart" or "graph" in the limits section on the Basic Search option:

Have you found other tips or tricks for finding statistical information?  If so, let us know!

NC ECHO Makes Searching Local History Easier

Great news for North Carolina local history researchers: no longer will they have to search across multiple websites and platforms for access to the state's digital historical resources. According to their press release, a joint program between the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center, NC Live, and the State Library of North Carolina, unites a variety of online collections under a single search box.

The project, called NC ECHO, allows users to search "across thousands of digitized and “born-digital” historic materials, including a wide variety of books, photographs, maps, family histories, state documents, newspapers and other materials from cultural heritage institutions around North Carolina."

Previously, researchers were required to search these collections individually. Institutions whose resources are searched by NC ECHO include:

• East Carolina University
• Johnson C. Smith University
• New Hanover County Public Library
• North Carolina Digital Collections, Department of Cultural Resources
• North Carolina Digital Heritage Center
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Western Carolina University

Searching NC ECHO

NC ECHO allows users to search by keyword

or by county

Results are displayed in an easy to navigate list. Researchers may limit results by collection or contributor using the left-hand sidebar

.

NC ECHO, which is free and open to everyone, can be accessed at: http://ncecho.org/

Try it out, and tell us what you think!

How to find Lexile Reading Levels

Ever worry whether you are providing the best age-appropriate article and book recommendations to your patrons?  Do you ever wish you could limit your results by reading levels?  Well, you can! NC LIVE offers several databases that include Lexile controls.

Lexile Reading Levels help readers find books and articles that are compatible with their reading abilities.  The higher the number, the more advanced the material's reading level will be.

For a detailed overview of Lexile measurements visit Lexile's website at http://www.lexile.com/

The NC LIVE databases that include Lexile controls are:

• MAS Complete
• Middle Search Plus
• NoveList Plus
• Primary Search

Thank you to Mark Schumacher at UNCG for finding these databases!

Lexile Reading Level

In MAS Complete, Middle Search Plus, and Primary Search, you can find the Lexile Reading Level limit in both Basic and Advanced Search.  Here, you can select a range of numbers that correlate with your patron's reading level.

In NoveList Plus, the Lexile Reading Level limit is under the Advanced Search option only.

Lexile Reading Level

Lexile Reading Score

If you are looking for a book or article to match with a specific Lexile Reading Score, you can enter it in the limit labeled Lexile Reading Score in MAS Complete, Middle Search Plus, and Primary Search.

Lexile Reading Score

Got more thoughts, ideas or tips on Lexile searching?  Feel free to leave us a comment!

NC LIVE password of the day FIXED

Some of you may have noticed that the NC LIVE password of the day was not always working. The problem was reported to NC LIVE and fixed within hours. Thanks to all of the great folks at NC LIVE!

No more acad/pub split!

Questionpoint has finally allowed our queues to properly back each other up. As you recall, in the past, it took 40 seconds for patrons from academic queues to show up to public librarians and vice versa. As of last week, that has been changed. Now public and academic patrons appear to all NC libraries instantly. It still takes backup librarians 40 seconds to see NC calls. This gives us a head start in claiming our own patrons.

This is part of a new version of Questionpoint which will also affect us in other ways that I will be sharing soon.

Wake Tech goes live

Wake Tech has gone live this week with Libraryh3lp!

NCknows on TV!

Jill Robinson Morris from NC LIVE gave NCknows some media attention today. Check it out: http://www.mycarolinatoday.com/2010/08/nc-live-homework-help/