Research FAQs

  • General Questions

    The best place to start would be the Online Research , opens a new windowhome page. You can scroll down and select to search for research materials by subject or format. If you're already somewhat familiar with our databases, you may want to start with the A-Z Databases , opens a new windowlist. Two of our most popular databases for research are Gale Group Databases , opens a new windowand EBSCOhost, opens a new window. These two resources contain academic journals, magazine and newspaper articles, ebooks, and encyclopedia articles. You can start searching Gale Group Databases or EBSCOhost using a power search, which will allow you to search their entire collections, or you can choose a particular collection from a list of their information products.

    Still not sure how to get started? You can make an appointment with a reference librarian, opens a new window. We'd love to assist you!

    If you need help, please contact your closest reference librarian. A reference librarian can assist you by phone, email, or in-person if you make an appointment. To make an appointment, please click here.

    Most of the library's online resources can be accessed outside of the library. Materials are available for free 24-7 to library card holders. Exceptions are C, Jstor, and AmericanAncestors.Org.

    Unfortunately, most databases cannot be accessed at local schools. Databases that are allowed for use in schools can be found here.

     

     

    The library maintains subscriptions to several high quality research products that can be accessed online with a library card. These products are available 24-7 and are free to library users. To view a complete list of our resources, click here.

    With your library card, you can have access to online courses through Learning Express Library. This resource includes HiSet preparation materials, college entry exam materials for ACT and SAT, self paced computer tutorials, and much more. You can also access Pronunciator, a language  learning database that provides lessons for 80 languages. Need a tutor? The library also subscribes to Homework Louisiana, which provides online tutoring for grades K-College. These resources are free and available 24-7.

    The St. Tammany Parish Library has a subscription to Ancestry Library Edition, opens a new window, AmericanAncestors.Org, opens a new window, and Heritage Quest, opens a new window. Ancestry Library Edition can only be used in the library. Please visit your closest branch, opens a new window to access this resource. AmericanAncestors.Org can only be used at the Covington and Slidell branches. For more information, please contact a reference librarian , opens a new windowat one of these branches. Heritage Quest can be used at home or in the library. All you need is your library card.

    To access online materials outside of the library, you will need an active library card. Please make sure to use your library card when attempting to access the library's databases. If you are still having trouble, please contact your closest library branch, opens a new window for assistance.

    While the library may be closed, there are still ways that you can get the help you need. The library has video tutorials, opens a new window on how to use the website, databases, and other online resources. The library also has Niche Academy, opens a new window, which provides database tutorials.

    If you're interested in learning more about how to use the library's online resources, feel free to contact your nearest reference librarian by phone , opens a new windowor schedule an appointment , opens a new windowonline. We'd be glad to show you how you can use the library's databases to reach your research goals.

    If you're an educator and would like to discuss having a research librarian talk with your students about the library's databases, please call us, opens a new window! We'd love to hear about any upcoming research papers or projects at your school and discuss how we can best support your students through the research process.

    Yes we do. Please check the events calendar or the flyers in your branch library. Additionally, if you want one-on-one help, please make an appointment with one of the Reference Librarians.

    The library also has video tutorials that allow you to train on computer software at your own pace.

    Yes we do. Please check the events calendar or the flyers in your branch library. Additionally, if you want one-on-one help, please make an appointment with one of the Reference Librarians.