Databases

This page provides links to many useful database sources that can provide reliable information about solar energy, climate and weather.  To access the site, simply click on the underlined link.

 

  • Access Science is an online publication of McGraw-Hill that covers a wide range of science topics, including Earth and environmental science.  
Users accessing the database through APL may enter their subject terms in the search bar, or select a topic from the browse menu. 

Articles are tagged as encyclopedia or research updates and can be printed, bookmarked or linked in an email.  

The advanced search feature allows the user to specify what type of information they prefer (articles, bibliography, images, etc.)





    This is a free online resource that can be accessed by the general public.  A user searching for information about solar energy, climate and weather can select the subject “Science and Technology” link from the homepage menu, and then select the link source that is most likely to contain information about their topic. 

    Sources that are most relevant to solar energy, climate and weather include How Stuff Works, the National Science Teachers Association Learning Center, the National Weather Service, Science.gov and Scirus (a searchable index of scientific information). 

    The Virtual Reference Shelf also contains a link to Science and Technology Internet Resources. 
    By selecting How Stuff Works, the user can select the subject “science,” and then select “Forces of Nature” from the left hand side bar and see more about that topic, or narrow the search within the subject by selecting “atmospheric science,” or “storms”.  

    There are also options to select videos, podcasts, blogs, quizzes, games and forums.  


       




      • NetLibrary eBooks is a collection of online books and resource materials supported by Ebsco.  
      To use NetLibrary from work or home, the user must first create an account from the Austin Public Library database page; directions for creating an account are located on the NetLibrary page.  There is no log in required for use within an APL location.  
      There are over 28,000 eBook titles in the database, and when an eBook title is located, users may checkout the book or transfer an eAudiobook to a portable device, such as a smart phone or iPod.  
      NetLibrary provides a tutorial for using the database on its site, and the URL can be copied directly NetLibrary eBooks into your address bar to visit the website.








        The database covers a wide range of science topics, including solar energy, climate and weather.  As with other Ebsco-supported databases, the user may access a specific database, or select from over 30 databases in the system.  Limiting an advanced search to one or a few databases may retrieve more manageable number of records.  Users without access to Austin Public Library online databases may visit the website through other subscribing institutions or download a trial offer of the database. 

             




            • Science.gov is a free online, government resource that is readily available to the public.  
            The database explores selected science resources and Websites indexed by subject and includes applied science & technologies, Earth & ocean sciences, energy & energy conservation, environment & environmental quality, and science education among others. 

            The A-Z search archive arranged alphabetically by subject makes searching quick and efficient.  Someone looking for information about “climate change” can simply select the topic from the list of subjects linked to records in the archive.  
            To ease the management of retrieved records, users may select an individual or set of databases to search, and then access the clusters of results in the left side bar, which are compiled according to format, use, or type of document.










               



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