This article is from the archives of the UB Reporter.
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Electronic Highways

Published: September 26, 2002

Librarians may have passwords

Have you ever searched the Web only to come upon a database that won't allow you entry unless you have a password? Don't despair; this may not be the end of the road.

UB provides access to a great number of online databases, whether through the BISON list of databases or through the UB Online Catalog. Because of various restrictions on use, passwords for some additional databases cannot be posted in the Online Catalog or the UB Libraries' Web pages, even though access to the UB population is allowed. It always is worthwhile to consult a reference librarian to find out if access to a specific database or online resource is possible via a password or other special procedure. The following is a sample of such online sources, with a note indicating at which library you should ask about access.

  • RLG Union Catalog or Eureka, also known to some as RLIN, available in all UB libraries; http://eureka.rlg.org. Similar to WorldCat, this is a catalog of records describing books, serials, archival collections, manuscripts, maps, musical scores, sound recordings, films, photographs, posters, computer files, electronic resources and more. The RLG Union Catalog, from the Research Libraries Group, reflects the collections of major research libraries; academic, public, corporate and national libraries; archives and museums; historical societies, and international book vendors.

  • LRS (Legislative Retrieval System), available in THE Law Library; http://nyslrs.state.ny.us. The Legislative Retrieval System (LRS), from the New York State Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, provides online access to current and prior years' New York State legislative session information, updated in a real-time environment. Bill text, status, summaries, memos, floor calendars, agendas and the Legislative Digest daily sheets are identical to those used in the New York State Senate and Assembly. Bill text, NYS laws, budget bills and the NYCRR (New York Codes, Rules and Regulations) also are searchable.

  • United Nations Treaty Collection, Law Library; http://untreaty.un.org/English/treaty.asp. The United Nations Treaty Series contains the texts of more than 40,000 bilateral and multilateral treaties and subsequent actions in their authentic languages, along with a translation into English and French. Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary-General also is available online, providing up-to-date signature and ratification information on a large number of multilateral treaties.

  • Keycite, Law Library; http://web2.westlaw.com/signon/default.wl. This legal-citator service developed by West Group is part of the Westlaw database and allows the researcher to identify cases, law review articles and other secondary sources that cite specific reported court cases and other materials.

  • Value Line, Lockwood Business/Government Documents Department; http://www.valueline.com. The Value Line Investment Survey Online, an independent investment-information service, provides an analysis of more than 90 industries and 1,700 company profiles, updated four times per year.

  • Business Publications Advertising Source, Lockwood Business/ Government Docsuments Department; http://www.srds.com. Produced by Standard Rate & Data Service, this database of trade journals provides coverage information, advertising policies, standardized ad rates, dates, contact information and links to online media kits. It is searchable by title, keyword and broad subject.

Stop by or contact the reference desk in the library of your choice to find out if a database you're interested in is accessible. The Libraries also are interested in your recommendations for subscriptions to additional databases.

—Nina Cascio and Rick McRae, University Libraries