SIRS DiscovererOpens a world of information to students

Paul M. Stella, Librarian

Nassau County Public Library

http://read.nassau.lib.fl.us/databases.html

Welcome to SIRS Discoverer

• SIRS stands for “Social Issues Resources Series.”

• An award-winning database designed with the young researcher in mind.

• Strengthens research, reading, writing, and computer skills.

• Articles and graphics from more than 1,900 U.S. and international magazines, newspapers, and U.S. government documents.

SIRS Discoverer®

Database Features

Full-Text Articles• 100% Full-Text• Keyword bolding of

search terms• Article Reading Levels• In-line pictures support

reading• Links to related

articles• Email articles and

pictures• Print for reading or

reference

SIRS Discoverer WebFind

• Now includes Discoverer WebFind as a content set.

• Dynamically updated collection of websites are evaluated for research value, high interest, credibility, and age appropriateness.

• Sites are monitored for content changes by SIRS' software.

SIRS Discoverer®

Database Features

WebFind Sites• Selected by subject

specialists to ensure age appropriateness, credibility, reliability.

• Continually monitored for content changes.

• Source, Summary, and Descriptor information aids in determining content.

• Supports curriculum through assigned Reading Levels, Topics, and Subjects.

Database Features

• Articles, images, and websites are regularly selected by our SIRS research team comprised of 40+ professionals with diverse educational backgrounds.

• Highlights interesting articles and images that are tied to timely themes.

Top Pick

Database Features

• Research ideas to help pupils start researching right away. Includes:— Born this Month

Biographies— Holidays &

CelebrationsWorld cultures

— Challenge Quest Quiz and pathfinders aid information literacy

— Suggested Research TopicsStart research with these top searches

Pathfinders

Database Features

• Provides a shortcut to full-text articles that offer activities:— Science experiments— Craft projects— Writing activities

• Activities are marked with a label in the article results list (an a) to make them easy to identify within results.

Activities

Activities

Picture title: Cartoon: High Food and Gas Prices (Credit: Marshall Ramsey/Copley News Service)

Database Features

• 2,000+ full-text biographies of famous and notable people are available, including U.S. Presidents.

• Available in multiple reading levels.

• WebFind features sites with biographical information on artists, scientists, inventors, historical figures, and more.

Biographies

Database Features

• Articles with information on nearly 200 countries.

• Printable maps, flags, population statistics, government information, languages spoken, economic data, history.

• Many countries also have links to Culture Facts.

• In addition, profiles and graphics are included for every U.S. State and Canadian Province.

Country Facts

Database Features

• Photo Essays portray social issues and global concepts.

• Each topic consists of several essays containing photographs, maps, or other graphic elements, along with brief, informative text.

Photo Essays

Database Features

• Keyword search or browse for pictures using an alphabetical index.

• 33,000+ high-quality pictures accompany full-text articles.

• Pictures include photographs, illustrations, maps, charts, and more.

• Send pictures as email attachments, or save to HD/CD/USB flash drives for use in presentations.

Pictures

Database Features

• More than 3,000 detailed, printable maps are available as an online reference almanac.

• Maps include all 50 United States, the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as nations and regions of the world.

• Includes U.S. Historical, World Historical, and Outline Maps.

Maps of the World

Database Features

Dictionary +Thesaurus

• A dictionary and thesaurus are available to assist users in defining words, checking spelling, choosing the perfect word, and more.

Database Features

Reference Works• Current Events• Spotlight of the Month• The World Almanac

® for Kids

• Encyclopedia

Britannica ®

SIRS Discoverer Search Paths

1. Subject Tree Search— Locate content via

15 category buttons.— Categories are divided into

sub-topics, or “branches,” creating a subject tree.

— Useful when you have a general subject in mind and allows you to explore many different fields without limiting you to predetermined topics.

Three Search Methods

Database Features

1. Subject Tree Search— Topics appear in each

category and may be followed by article or website titles.

— An < indicates the branch has been expanded.

— Select the branch to return to that level of the tree.

— An > indicates there are additional levels beyond this branch in the tree.

Three Search Methods

Database Features

2. Keyword Search— Boolean Operators

AND, OR, NOT— AND is grand, but OR gives

more!— Truncation

farm* -> farmers, farming — Phrase Searching

“affirmative action”— Natural Language

Why is the sky blue?— Article Sorting

RelevanceDateLexile

Three Search Methods

Database Features

2. Keyword Search (Advanced)— Additional search fields

available, search by Title or Author, or together in conjunction with Full-Text.

— Reading Level Selectors:Easy, Moderate, Challenging

— Search in almanac or encyclopedia

— Limit results to a Lexile range.

Three Search Methods

Database Features

3. Subject Headings Search— Use this method when

you have a specific research topic in mind.

— Articles are indexed according to Library of Congress subject headings.

Three Search Methods

Database Features

Reading LevelsArticles and sites are

assigned a reading level according to editorial judgment, the Flesch Reading Ease and Lexile scale.

Limit searches to include articles or websites of a single reading level or broader Lexile range, in any combination.

Easy (Grades 1-4)

General (All grades)

Moderate (Grades 5-7)

Challenging (Grades 8+)

Database Features

Pictures• The Camera icon

signifies that there are one or more pictures available.

• Select the icon to view a list.

• In addition, articles include inline thumbnail images, which assist researchers and create context.

Database Features

Article Labels• a - Designates the

article contains an activity.

• f - Designates the article is a work of fiction.

• p - Designates the article contains biographical information about a person.

Database Features

Source Tabs & Modify• Source tabs have

been added to help further narrow your results.

• A search box at the bottom enable users to modify a search without having to start over.

Database Features

Email• Users may email

full-text articles and pictures to their personal email addresses right from the article display.

Database Features

Print• A Print button displays

at the top of each article.

• Allows quick and easy access to the print dialog box of your browser.

SIRS Discoverer

Additional Help• Tutorial• Dictionary &Thesaurus • Help Index• Search Tips• How to Cite• Workbooks• Educators’ Resources• Bookmark

SIRS DiscovererQuestions?

Call or visit your local Nassau County Public Library

Join us on the WWW at

http://read.nassau.lib.fl.us