Novel Databases
NOVEL Databases
Statewide Access to Electronic Information
from your New York State Library
What is the NOVEL Databases Project?
NOVEL Databases is an electronic database access project that enables libraries across New York State to give their
communities online access to the full text of hundreds of journals, newspapers and other references. Currently, the
NOVEL Databases Project provides online access to several databases. These include:
Gale Group, Inc. databases – this source contains seven files, targeting a variety of audiences:
Health and Wellness Resource Center – available since January 2005, this is an upgrade from the previous Health
Reference Center-Academic. A source for both medical care professionals and consumers concerning important
current health information, Health and Wellness Resource Center contains over 650 full-text titles.
Business & Company Resources Center – available since May 2002. This comprehensive database brings together a
wide variety of global business information including company profiles, Thomson Financial Securities Data, and
Investext reports as well as business magazines and newspapers. It contains 2850 full-text titles.
¡Informe! (Revistas en Español) – available from July 2003, is specifically designed to meet the research needs of
Spanish-speaking users. It contains 117 full-text Spanish-language and bilingual magazine articles, reports and maps;
a total of over 75,000 articles and is updated daily.
InfoTrac Junior – available since May 2002, InfoTrac Junior is designed especially for junior high and middle
schools. It features 147 full-text titles most critical to their libraries and the curriculum as identified by school
librarians. Additionally, the databases include full-text newspaper articles from Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service,
and more than 300 full-color Rand McNally maps.
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers – available since July 2003, it offers over 150 full-text newspapers that include 7 New
York State newspapers and the last year of the New York Times.
National Newspaper Index – available since July 2003, provides indexing (1977 to present) of America’s top 5
newspapers; the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times and the
Washington Post.
Twayne’s Author Series – available since April 1, 2003, features the content of over 600 books that comprise three
print series – United States Authors, English Authors and World Authors. This series is devoted to literary critical
interpretation and discussion for readers ranging from high school students through college and above.
Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) – available since January 2005, this source contains twelve searchable
online reference titles focusing on business, health, and history:
Business
Health
Business Plans Handbook, volumes 5-10
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Encyclopedia of Small Business
Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Gale Encyclopedia of E-Commerce
Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
History
Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied
American Civil War Reference Library, 4 volumes plus index
Health
American Revolution Reference Library, 4 volumes plus index
History Behind the Headlines, vol. 1-6 set
Major Acts of Congress, 1st Ed., 3 volumes
EBSCO - available since April 2001, contains four files, targeting different audiences:
General Science Collection provides information on all aspects of the scientific world and offers full-text coverage for
more than 60 of the most popular science publications.
MasterFILE Select contains full text for nearly 750 journals relating to a broad range of topics including general
reference, social sciences, business, health, general science and current events.
Primary Search via Searchasaurus is a collection of reference materials geared toward elementary and middle school
age users. It contains 64 full-text titles.
TOPICsearch is a full-text resource designed for middle school students and above, as well as for teachers and librari-
ans exploring social, political and economic issues. It contains 1434 full-text titles.
Who is eligible to participate in NOVEL Databases, and what benefits do they receive?
Participation is available to all member libraries of library systems in New York State to the extent permitted by
negotiations and contractual limitations. Every $1 the State invests results in $30 worth of access at the local level.
NOVEL Databases may be accessed from any eligible library in the State. Libraries may also choose to offer library users
remote access to NOVEL Databases from their homes, schools or workplaces 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How can my library register to use NOVEL Databases?
To participate, libraries need to complete the online registration form for the database(s) they desire to access. Online
registration forms are located at the New York State Library's NOVEL web site:
<www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/novel/>. Since January 1999, more than 5,000 libraries and library systems have
registered.
Is training offered for the databases available through NOVEL Databases? If so, is there a fee?
Regional "train the trainer" sessions are offered for each database. There is no fee for training. Training is highly
recommended for staff in libraries where a database offered through NOVEL Databases is being introduced in the library
for the first time. Since January 1999, a total of 3,000 people have been trained in over 100 training sessions.
How is NOVEL Databases funded?
The NOVEL Databases Project is currently supported with temporary Federal funds through a Library Services and
Technology Act (LSTA) grant to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS). Because Federal funding may not be available to continue funding the online databases offered through the
Project, $14 million is proposed as part of New Century Libraries to create NOVEL to ensure that all New Yorkers can
access the expanded education, business, employment, and communication opportunities available online. Provided by the
New York State Library, NOVEL is an online virtual library connecting New Yorkers to 21st century information via local
libraries statewide. New Century Libraries is an important statewide funding initiative currently before the Legislature
that proposes permanent state funding for NOVEL.
What other services are provided to participants in NOVEL Databases?
The New York State Library hosts the NOVEL-DB e-mail list to post announcements concerning database problems,
contract dates, upcoming database training sessions, and other information useful to NOVEL database subscribers. See
our web site <www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/novel/database/index.html#Listserv> or send e-mail to <novel-db-
request@listserv.nysed.gov> for further information.
A Help Desk, also provided by the New York State Library, is staffed from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, to
respond to questions and concerns about the databases offered through NOVEL Databases. Additional information may
be found at the NOVEL web page <www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/novel/> or at the Help Desk toll-free number (877)
277-0250.
A tool kit <www.nysl.nysed.gov/library/novel/toolkit/index.html/> is now available to help librarians and library
supporters publicize, explain, and demonstrate the features of NOVEL and the NOVEL Databases. The kit includes
presentations, publications for downloading and printing, and other helpful components that are appropriate for a variety
of audiences.
The University of the State of New York • The State Education Department
New York State Library • Division of Library Development
Cultural Education Center, Room 10B41, Albany, NY 12230-0001
Telephone (518) 474-7890
Web address: <www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/>
Revised March 3, 2005
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