DCTC students and employees can access dozens of databases through the DCTC Library web site. State tax dollars pay for many of these databases, which are collectively known as ELM, the Electronic Library for Minnesota. ELM is one of several MINITEX Library Information Network programs.

MINITEX offers free web-based training on ELM databases from time to time. Here are some of the upcoming training sessions, as described on the MINITEX web site:

Keeping Current with ProQuest Newsstand Complete: Using the Smart Search Feature
ProQuest Newsstand Complete offers access to over 350 newspapers (250 with full-text) which includes local, regional, state, national, and international new sources. This webinar will take a closer look at one of its searching features, Topics – powered by Smart Search. Join MINITEX Reference Services staff to discover how the Smart Search feature compares search terms to index terms and suggests topics, suggests options for narrowing search, and creates a “bread crumb trail.”
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Register

EBSCO MasterFILE Premier – Basics
This webinar will take you through basic searching options, including the advanced, publication, and image searches, as well as a few features available in the “My EBSCOhost” folder. Join MINITEX Reference Services staff for a look at this ELM database, MasterFILE Premier, which offers access to approximately 2,000 full-text periodicals, 84,000 biographies, 88,000 primary documents, 107,000 images, and more.
Date: Monday, February 02, 2009
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Register

ProQuest Newsstand Complete – Advanced
While researching in ProQuest Newsstand Complete, would you like to know how to track editorials on a specific topic, follow a particular columnist, and find book reviews? Would you like to know how to download and e-mail your search summary as a web page / HTML file? This webinar will take a closer look at its advanced searching options as well as features available in the “My Research” folder. Join MINITEX Reference Services staff for an in-depth look at an ELM database, ProQuest Newsstand Complete, which offers over 350 newspapers (250 with full-text) including local, regional, state, national, and international new sources.
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Register

EBSCO Academic Search Premier – Advanced
This one-hour webinar will build upon the Academic Search Premier Basic Overview webinar by taking a look at the more advanced features of the database. Time will be spent exploring the Advanced Search & Limiter options, Cited References, Search History Management, Search & Journal Alerts, and Folder Features (e.g., Results Management, Page Composer).
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Register

To learn more about these and other resources, register for a training session or just ask a librarian!