MARVELous Maine Invitational

Okay, readers, for the next several weeks please follow along as I take a journey learning more and more about the MARVEL databases, which are provided to any and every one who has a valid Maine library card.  I’m looking forward to learning more, and sharing my findings with all of you. The first assignment – create a blog!  Check that piece off the list – we created this blog several months ago, and are still learning how to use it. Also part of the first week’s homework, PLAY on the MARVEL website, and watch 3 tutorials about how things …

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Maine Newsstand

Another wonderful addition to the Marvel Databases is Maine Newsstand.  I must say this one, as a “Maine-I-Ac” is fascinating. *** Remember, you must have a VALID Maine library card to access this database! *** When I open this database, it is set for a Basic Search, and the Full Text radio box is unchecked.  I search “Portland Head Light” with 22992 results.  The first link that I see is from the Portland Press Herald, dated Mar. 2, 2005.  Scrolling down the screen I see that the database indexes from 1993 – 2012.  I also see a place to Sort …

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Marvel – Kids Search

Another wonderful database provided in Marvel. Kids Search is, as you may have guessed, geared toward the younger user.  It searches several sources at once.  My first search was “elephant”, using the search bar on the first page.  This brought up over 1800 results!  Next I was given the opportunity to Filter Results By.  My choices were All Results, Magazines, Newspapers, Books & Encyclopedias, Animals, Biographies, Radio & TV News Transcripts, and Primary Source Documents. WOW! Where do I begin to filter?? I clicked on Biographies, and narrowed my search to 15 results, all of these being from electronic encyclopedias.  …

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Marvelous Marvel

Have you “checked out” Marvel recently?  From many library websites around Maine, including the Gardiner Public Library website, you may access this wonderful database provided by the Maine State Library. One of the MANY databases that are available to you with your library card is the Dictionary of Literary Biography.  With just a few quick clicks, you can access information about many of your favorite authors. For fun, I tried Nora Roberts, and immediately learned her birthday, her nationality, and place of birth.  Further information includes awards she has received, as well as the year received; a list of titles …

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