Q. How do I access databases online?

What are databases?

Databases are searchable collections of online content including articles from journals and newspapers, government documents, conference proceedings, legal cases and legislation, and multimedia resources. They can be general, covering various disciplines for example JSTOR, or discipline-specific for example Westlaw UK.

Searching databases using Discover

When you search Library Discover, you are searching across many databases, as well as our collections of print books, e-books and e-journals. If it's just articles you are searching for, you can refine your search under Resource Type on the right-hand side of the screen. Please see the Discover Guide (PDF, 1.1MB) for more information.

Searching databases using Database Search

Alternatively, you can go directly to a specific database. Go to the Library homepage, then select Electronic Library, then Database Search. There is also a link to Database Search from within Discover on the top menu bar. If asked to sign in, enter your LJMU username (in the format username@ljmu.ac.uk) and LJMU password. The new interface allows alphabetical, keyword and subject category searches.

There are two ways to find high quality databases:

• By Subject - select your subject category on the left to see a list of relevant databases
• By Searching - enter keywords in the search box to find a specific database

The Subject categories listed on the left menu are a new feature and offer a tailored list of relevant databases, while drilling down to ‘Key Resources’ condenses this list to highlight the most relevant for each subject. Locate your subject on the left-hand menu, select the chevron beside your subject, and the Key Resources list will appear – typically five key databases.

Database Search user guides

Turning to the new Database Search, where there is a user guide available you will see a link to it in the Public notes section of the full record. To view the full record for any database, either select the title or Available online.

Many database full records provide links to individual resource guides.

For further advice Contact your Librarian via HelpMe or learn more at Academic Achievement.

Subject Support

Our Subject resource guides have information on using databases specific to your subject.

Please note: Collaborative partner access to library resources varies from partner to partner and resource to resource. Collaborative Staff and Students (Collaborative Partners) may not have access to all library resources.