E-resources

An "electronic resource" is defined as any work encoded and made

available for access through the use of a computer. It includes electronic
data available by (1) remote access and (2) direct access (fixed media).
In other words: Remote access (electronic resources) refers to the use of
electronic resources via computer networks. (AACR2, 2002 edition;
glossary). Direct Access (electronic resources) refers to the use of
electronic resources via carriers (e.g., discs/disks, cassettes, cartridges)
designed to be inserted into a computerized device or its auxiliary
equipment.
"Acquire" refers to any electronic resource, remote or direct
access, which (1), the Library provides access to through official
contractual, licensed, or other agreements (any of these electronic
resources may or may not be owned by or housed at the Library) or (2),
the Library receives through its acquisitions processes (e.g., purchase,
gift, exchange, copyright deposit, ISSN requests, and transfer).
"Collect" refers to electronic resources owned by the Library
and selected for the permanent collections. It may also include
resources stored elsewhere for which the Library has permanent
ownership rights.
"Link" refers to pointers from the Library's web resources or
bibliographic records to remote access data.
"Archive" refers to that process of maintenance in a secure and
permanent digital repository managed by the Library or for the benefit of
the Library.
Types of Electronic Resources

Research Guides by Subject: Subject guides are web resources
designed by University of Chicago Librarians which provide an overview of
resources in a subject area. They include staff contacts, print collections,
electronic resources, as well as links to other relevant Web sites. Subject
guides are a good place to start when you are beginning research on a
specific topic. You can locate subject guides from our Database
Finder page or go to our Web site and select Research Guides by Subject.
Indexes: An index is a reference source which provide bibliographic
information about journal articles, as well as other types of materials. While
indexes have long existed in print, online indexes have expanded the type
of work done by researches.more options than looking for materials by
subject, author or title. Online indexes allow you to look beyond subject,
author, or title. They allow you to look for keywords or phrases throughout
the bibliographic information--including the abstract. Sometimes people
refer to indexes as "Article Databases," since they are mainly used to
search for articles in journals. Many also include the full-text of an actual
article online. However, it is important to realize that many indexes cover
other research materials such as conference papers, book chapters,
dissertations, research studies, etc.
.
Electronic Books and Texts: The Library provides access to a variety
of electronic books, as well as the other printed works (such as essays,
poems, or historical doocuments). Some of these electronic books and
texts are part of large, searchable databases. Most of our main collections
for electronic books and texts can be located through the
Library's Electronic Resources page. However, many more individual titles
may be located using the Library Catalog.

Electronic Journals: The Library has an E-Journals Database to
help you find online versions of our journals. The Library also links to
electronic versions of journals through FindIt!.

Library Catalogs: Most libraries now provide access to their
catalogs from their web sites. Many others provide information about their
holdings into larger databases such asWorld Cat or the RLG Union
Catalog. The Library provides links to these catalogs under the "Catalogs"
section on its web site
.
Reference Sources: Many dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias,
and other reference sources are now available online in full-text. You can
locate these resources through the Library's Database Finder, the Library
Catalog, or through many of the Library's Research Guides by Subject.

Statistical Sources: The Library has access to a variety of
subscription databases which provide economic data or statistics. You can
locate these resources through the Library'sDatabase Finder, the Library
Catalog, or through many of the Library's Research Guides by Subject. Be
aware that there are many statistical sources available in print which
cannot be found online.

Sound Recordings: There are only a few Library databases which
provide access to sound recordings. If you are looking for music online,
start at the Music Subject Guide for the resources which are available to
the Univesity of Chicago Community.

Image Databases (Art, Maps, Medical, etc.): Some databases include
graphics or images, such as photos, paintings or maps. You can use
the Database Finder page to locate these. The Art Subject Guide also
provides extensive information about locating images