A database is an electronic, organized list of information that is searchable and retrievable. Willet Library subscribes to hundreds of databases, many of which are in Galileo. You can access them all through our Databases A-Z list. Library Databases can be used to find scholarly and non-scholarly articles and other media. These databases contain abstracts, index information, and full-text articles. When you're searching a library database, you are not searching "the web."
In addition to library databases, there are millions of commonly found databases. You probably use many of them daily. Databases can be multi-discipline or subject specific.
You will learn more about subject specific databases later. Below are some examples of both library and general use multi-discipline databases.
GALILEO, JSTOR, ArtStor, Films on Demand....discovery search in Galileo does not search all providers and databases within Galileo.
Don't forget you can still borrow articles through ILL.
EbscoHost and ProQuest are two of the main database providers in Galileo. They provide access to hundreds of databases and while their logos appear on your search pages, this will not allow you to retrace your steps. You need to know what database you used.
GALILEO describes itself as “an online library portal to authoritative, subscription-only information.” Through partnering with other libraries in Georgia and the GALILEO team, Wesleyan is able to provide access to hundreds of databases from several different providers.
EbscoHost and ProQuest are two of the main database providers in GALILEO. They provide access to hundreds of individual databases, and while their logos appear on your search pages, this will not allow you to retrace your steps. You need to know what specific database you used.
Other databases available through our partnership with GALILEO include JSTOR, which covers a variety of subjects; ARTSTOR, containing over a million high quality images of artwork; and Films on Demand, where you can find documentaries and films to support projects in any subject.
When you visit GALILEO, you will see a search bar intended to search across many of the databases. However, this GALILEO-wide search can bring back too many results to be useful and actually does not include any results from some of the top databases due to provider restrictions.
Searching individual databases is more effective not only because you are searching through a targeted set of resources that focus on your area of interest, but also because you can take advantage of specialized vocabulary and tools within the database. For instance, a search for transcription in a science focused database will bring back results about copying DNA, while a search for the same term across all databases would be cluttered with resources about closed captioning. You will learn more about controlled vocabularies in the next module.
If you are using Library Resources on Wesleyan's Campus, you will be recognized as an authorized user and will not have to complete the sign in process for all resources.
If you begin from GALILEO, Wesleyan College's Databases A-Z, or follow a "view full text" link from LUCY while
off-campus, you will see the following log in page. Use your Wesportal username and password for access.
In most instances, you will remain logged in for 8 hours. If you switch browsers or devices, you'll have to log in again. Refer to the Password Management Handouts on the Portal for assistance with your Wesportal Credentials.
If you previously saved your password and have since changed it or if you mistype your password the first time, you may encounter an error. Try clearing the cache, switching browsers, or using the handout below to troubleshoot issues.