How to Access Library Databases

Where do you even start when you want to perform research for an assignment? Follow the steps below to find out:

Accessing Kelvin Smith Library Databases:

Navigate to the Kelvin Smith Library homepage.
Click on the "Databases" tab located above the homepage search bar if you know the specific database you would like to access (PubMed, JSTOR, Academic Search Complete, etc.)
Click on the "Databases" hyperlink below the homepage search bar if you would like to browse the A-Z Database List for a complete list of KSL databases.

KSL homepage with the Databases tab and corresponding hyperlink to browse the A-Z Database List highlighted in red.

KSL A-Z Database List:

You should now see the Kelvin Smith Library's "A-to-Z" list of databases. In order to locate a database, you have a few search options:

Directional letters A through F correspond to database search functions.

1. Search for a database by name, or keywords in the database's description (JSTOR, PubMed, Academic Search Complete, etc.)
2. Search by database subject (e.g. Anthropology, English, or Physics)
3. Search by database content type (e.g. E-Books, Newspapers, or Video)
4. If you know the name of the database you want to use (e.g. Nexis Uni), you can click the letter the database name starts with and search the resulting list for your database
5. You'll find the results of your search on the bottom part of the screen.
6. If you have trouble accessing a database, please don't hesitate to reach-out to a librarian for help!

Yellow warning sign with an exclamation point in the middle of a triangle.

Note: You must use the database links KSL provides on its homepage or the A-Z Database List to access our databases rather than trying to navigate to them from a search engine such as Google.

If you access KSL materials from on campus, you will automatically be connected to resources if you logged into Single SignOn using your CWRU ID and password.

If you are off-campus, you will need to authenticate that you are a member of the CWRU community by logging into Single SignOn and, in some cases, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access a handful of databases that require it. Most of the time, the additional step of using VPN is not necessary, even from off-campus.