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Using Our Services

Connecting to our eResources

The Chicago School Library provides access to hundreds of licensed electronic resources to help aid you while on your academic journey.

When it comes to using our eResources, the Librarians and Library Staff highly encourage the use of a Desktop or Laptop whenever possible. (Not every resource licensed has a positive mobile experience)

Choose Where to Search

On the homepage of  The Chicago School Library, there are a couple of choices of where to start your search:

library home page onesearch and database a-z links

Using One Search:

The search box on the library webpage is a great option for starting your research, or to find a specific item. OneSearch searches across The Chicago School Library's physical and ebook collections, as well most library databases, which includes full text articles and streaming videos, and more. 

While OneSearch results are comprehensive, there are limitations:

  • It lacks some of the additional bells and whistles such as thesuari and subject specific limiters found in databases such as PsycINFO, CINAHL, and others.
  • If you are looking for specific types of information like case studies, datasets, or other specialized types of information, it may not be the best place to start.
  • Because of the way the searching works, you might get too many results, or results that don't seem relevant. 

Take a look at the Library's OneSearch Guide for more information on how to use this convenient library discovery tool. 

Using Databases:

Searching library databases is a good choice for more in-depth research or to find specialized types of information. Databases can be multidisciplinary or they can specialize in specific subject areas, such as psychology, education, nursing, business, etc. Subject specific databases such as PsycINFO, CINAHL or ABI/Inform Global also include helpful subject specific search tools and limiters.

Tips:
  • For a comprehensive search on a topic, it's best to search more than one database. Although there may be some overlap, each database contains different journals and provides different results.
  • Choose a database by subject using the Databases A-Z link.
  • For suggestions on the best databases to search on your topic, the library Research Guides are a helpful resource!

 

For more on databases, watch this informative video from the University of Michigan Library that explains:

  • What a library database is -- and reasons to use one
  • Why searching a library database is different than searching the general internet
  • What are the two main types of Library databases

Watch this video on finding and using databases in The Chicago School Library:

Link Google Scholar to the Library

Google Scholar allows users to affiliate with a university.   Creating this affiliation allows users searching in Google Scholar to easily obtain the full text of articles and other electronic materials licensed by the university library.  Once you have configured Google Scholar for affiliation with The Chicago School Library,  Google Scholar offers a link (View It @ TCSES Libraries) in the results list for items that can be accessed via  The Chicago School Library.

Go to Google Scholar at https://scholar.google.com

1) In the the upper left corner of the Google Scholar page, click the Menu bar

2) Go to Settings

3) On the Settings page, click on "Library Links"

4) Search TCS

5) Check mark  "TCS Education System Libraries -View It @ TCSES Libraries" option

 

6) Click "Save"

Now when you search Google Scholar, you'll see "ViewIt at TCSES Libraries" links, which indicates the item is available full text through the library.

About LibKey Nomad

LibKey Nomad is an extension for web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It will help you find full text articles quickly and easily.

  • After you install and configure LibKey Nomad, it will automatically scan for PDFs wherever your browse
  • LibKey Nomad works with most The Chicago School Library databases and online journals
  • Look for the LibKey Nomad button on publisher websites as well as PubMed, Scopus, and Wikipedia

NOTE: While LibLKey Nomad is a convenient way to connect to full text resources licensed by the library, it does not connect with all library resources. To access all library resources, use OneSearch or search the library databases. 

To Install: 

Go to: https://thirdiron.com/downloadnomad/

  • It will prompt you to select a compatible internet browser
  • The page will jump to your extensions page, select to add to your browser
  • Click the Add Extension button

LibKey Nomad requires your permission to change data on sites you visit.

LibKey is not collecting any personal information. You can view their privacy policy here.

Once LibKey Nomad is installed, you will be prompted to select an institution. You can type "TCS Education" in the box to get a short list quickly. Click TCS Education to complete the process:

LibKey Nomad in Action 

LibKey Nomad scans the pages you visit for publisher URLs. When you land on a page with an article that is available to download, you get a banner alert at the bottom of your screen. Click to download the PDF.

 

  • An alternate icon, Access Options, may appear for publications that do not support a PDF. if you select this option, LibKey Nomad will then show you the options you do have for accessing that material.
  • If there is no full text available, LibKey Nomad guides you to other options for finding full text Interlibrary Loan