5636
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Services
and Library
Washington DC 20460
March 1985
OOOR85107
-V
Searching for Answers
Guide to
Database Searching
at the EPA
Headquarters Library
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region V, Library
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois €0604
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Introduction
What is a
Database
Search?
Why are What Questions
Database Searches can be
Useful? Searched?
This brochure describes how
the database search services
provided by the EPA
Headquarters Library in
Washington, D.C. can help
EPA employees get up-to-date
information for improved
analysis, report preparation,
background research, and legal
work. Similar database search
services are available in many
other EPA libraries. Locations
of EPA's libraries are listed at
the end of this brochure.
The questions usually asked
at the reference desk about
online searching are answered
in this brochure. Those
questions concern what
database searching is, which
databases are available, when a
search is most useful, how to
request a search, and how to
use the results of a search.
A database search is a process
of selecting or retrieving data
or records from large files of
information. Databases are
usually accessed through a
computer terminal connected to
the database through a
telephone line. This process is
called online database
searching. Although databases
can be created by anyone,
those usually searched are
created by publishers,
government agencies, and
commercial vendors.
by
Brigid Rapp
Head Librarian
EPA Headquarters Library staff
can use databases to retrieve
full-text articles or special
statistical, directory, or financial
information from sources
throughout the country and the
world, and to compile
bibliographies with abstracts of
relevant books, government
documents, conference
proceedings, reports, and
newspaper and journal articles.
Database searches can
quickly retrieve information
from a wide variety of sources,
for many kinds of analysis and
report preparation. Often
databases index and locate
material that would otherwise
be buried in a large collection.
Databases can also be more
convenient and comprehensive
than catalogs and printed
indexes. Catalogs list only
documents in selected
collections, while databases
include information regardless
of where the information is
located. In a database,
information from different
collections is automatically
integrated to be searched at
once, while volumes of a
printed index must each be
searched separately. Some
databases are "full-text:" the
entire newspaper article,
periodical article or other
source document is available
online and a copy can be
instantly made, thus combining
the two steps of identifying
and retrieving the material.
Information can be retrievei
meet a wide range of
information needs. Searche:
made by using the requestc
key words or phrases, date:
source documents, proper
names, geographic areas, o
document types. Examples
search requests are:
• journal articles on the
technical and risk analyses
kilns and industrial furnace
• news releases from think
tanks, especially Rand
Corporation;
• all books and articles wril
by Daniel Boorstin;
• speeches concerning the i
of DDT in the Midwest;
• all CFR title 40 cites since
1980 that concern
intergovernmental review c
EPA's programs;
• policy analysis articles on
Superfund;
• empirical analyses, writte
after June 1975 and before ]
1978, on mobile source
pollution control;
• treatises on the sources o
pollution and the ambient
quality of Puget Sound.
U.S. Environmental Protection
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How do I
Request
a Search?
What
Databases
are Available?
What Happens
after the Search is
Completed?
Any EPA employee may call or
come in to the Library to
request a literature search on a
work-related topic. The
database searching service is
free to EPA employees.
Computer Search Request
forms (example attached) that
the researcher or the Reference
Librarian can fill out, are
available at the reference desk.
Before starting a search, a
Librarian will ask questions in
order to determine all the limits
of the search and to insure that
he or she fully understands the
nature of the request. The
researcher will be asked to
suggest appropriate words that
will help focus the search. It
may be helpful to review the
thesaurus or subject terms of
relevant databases with the
Librarian to select the terms
most likely to result in retrieval
of pertinent information. The
Librarian will determine, based
on the request, which
databases are best to search.
The many databases currently
available in the Headquarters
Library are described at the end
of this brochure. The Library
has a profile of each database
that is used when devising
strategies for retrieving specific
information. Anyone may
review the database summaries
in the Library.
New databases and
interesting aspects of current
databases are highlighted each
month in the Library's
newsletter, "What's New."
EPA employees receive this
newsletter regularly, and others
can ask the Reference Librarian
to be added to the mailing list.
One easy way to learn about
the databases and how they
can hielp is to visit the Library
and talk with one of the
Reference Librarians. Also,
Library staff can arrange for
special briefings for large or
small groups to review
databases that are especially
relevant to the work of a
particular office. To arrange
such a meeting, contact the
Head Librarian, 382-5921.
The reference staff
continuously review new
databases as they become
available to evaluate their
relevance to EPA's information
needs. The researcher is one of
the most important sources of
information on new databases.
Please contact the Head
Librarian with suggestions on
databases the Library may add
to its service.
The Reference Librarian usually
performs the search the same
day it is requested. If the
search is a limited one, the
results can be printed in the
Library. If the search is more
extensive, the Librarian may
request the results to be
printed offline. Offline prints
are mailed to the Library and
are usually available in three or
four working days. The
requestor is called as soon as
the prints are received.
To narrow or expand the
information received, discuss
the search results with the
Librarian and redefine the
search. After a new strategy is
formed, the Librarian will
either re-search the same
databases, search different
databases, or suggest
alternative information retrieval
techniques.
If the search topic is one of
on-going interest, the Reference
Librarian can arrange to have
the search repeated at regular
intervals to retrieve new
information that has been
issued since the last search.
After the search results are
reviewed, fill out the On-line
Literature Search Evaluation
form. (A copy of the form is
reproduced at the end of this
brochure for review.) The
Library staff uses these
evaluations to monitor the
quality of the search service
and document
recommendations for change.
If the search was for
bibliographic citations, check to
see if the sources are available
in the EPA Headquarters
Library, which has about
400,000 documents.
If the materials needed are
not in the Library, fill out an
Interlibrary Loan Request form
(copy attached) and leave it at
the circulation desk. The
requested document will be
borrowed or photocopied from
another library, such as an EPA
regional library, the Library of
Congress, or an academic,
special or public library. Since
most libraries participate in
interlibrary loan programs, it is
possible to access almost any
document through this service.
The turn-around time for
interlibrary loan service varies
with the document, but 3.5
working days is the average
time to retrieve a document.
The Interlibrary Loan Request
forms are at the circulation
desk in the front of the Library
a copy of the form is attached.
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IRSB COMPUTER SEARCH REQUEST
FORWARD TO:
Information Resource • and
Services Branch (PM-213)
NOT_ For any future reference(s), please
contact the librarian shown below.
NAME OF REQUESTER
PHONE NUMBER
MAIL CODE
NAME OF LIBRARIAN
DATE REQUIRED
o,
SHOULDTHERE BE APERIODIC
UPDATE'
Vi
TITLE AND SCOPE OF THIS REQUEST (Provide appropriate terms or key words* Designate what is or what is not to be included such as
time periods, countries or language to be covered.)
LIBRARIAN
SEARCH STRATEGY (Indicate moat effective one(a))
DATA BASIS USED (Indicate those which were most effective)
EPA Form 2}70-4 (10-78)
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library Loan US EPA Headquarters Library -(fr'-21lA) Telephone FTS or
3-t .Form Washington, D.C. 20460 382-5922
's date:
"^>r^s 5<^^-i
request? Q
3
»
PLEASE PRINT
MAIN TITLE: Journal title & Volume (issue) & Date,
OR: Book title. Do not abbreviate.
ex c±- <^>UL_S ^tx^y^p^^^- Y'^| 3-^7 ZIvjAH i^K^f
COMPONENT TITLE: Article pages & first author & first few vords.
OR: Book author & Publisher & Date.
^fe-cxV ^~V <^r \"fxk^Tr\cA ^cxs^«.s ;/
stor's printed last name, Full first name Mail code Telephone
^^o-,R,<_\-^v~ Recommended for purchase? CJ _
l
alink:
Ordered From:
atalog: ~
5S:
Requestor Contacted:
ON-LINE LITERATURE SEARCH EVALUATION
Please evaluate the citations accompanying this form and indicate the cate-
gory of relevance.
Your opinions and comments will help us improve our service.
Please return this self addressed card as soon as convenient.
^
MODERA TE
MARGINA L
COMMENTS
REQUESTER NAME
MAIL CODE
DATA BASE(S)
SEARCHER
DATE FORWARDED
EPA Form 2170-5 (10-78)
Qi
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Databases
Available as of
January 1985:
EPA Libraries and
Information
Centers
. National Groundwater
Information Center Database, a
bibliographic database, contains
references on the occurrence
and utilization of surface and
ground water, and on water
well technology. Indexed titles
include trade and technical
journals and newsletters,
books, and government
documents. Because EPA
established the Center, there is
special emphasis in the
database on EPA-sponsored
reports.
Dialog Information Retrieval
Service, a commercial vendor
of databases, has more than
200 databases available through
its system. The type of
information varies with the
database accessed; database
records may be bibliographic
citations, abstracts, directory
listings or statistical tables.
Some of the DIALOG databases
commonly used in the library
are Pollution Abstracts,
Enviroline, Chemical
Regulations and Guidelines,
Social SciSearch, and The
National Technical Information
Service (NTIS).
NEWSNET, originally designed
for use by the business and
communications communities,
is a full-text database of
newsletters, press releases, and
wire services. It is a good
current awareness tool, as well
as a means of selectively
accessing otherwise costly
information. Subject areas in
NewsNet include the
environment, chemicals,
government and regulation,
public relations, farming and
food, research and
development, and electronics
and computers.
National Library of Medicine
(NLM) On-line Services
database consists of
bibliographic citations on
biomedical literature, including
health care services and
administrative, clinical, and
policy topics. Special files on
population, cancer, and toxic
substances are also available on
the NLM database.
NEXIS is a full-text database
that contains general and
business news. NEXIS sources
include magazines,
newspapers, wire services,
newsletters, and government
documents.
CAS Online contains records
for the documents covered
since 1967 in the printed
version of Chemical Abstracts.
Journals, patents, technical
reports, books, conference
proceedings, and dissertations
from all areas of chemistry and
chemical engineering are
abstracted and the file is
updated biweekly.
Brigid Rapp, Head Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Library, PM211A
401 M St. SW, Rm M2904
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-5922
(FTS) 8-382-5922
Barbara Morrison, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Law Library, LE-130L
401 M St., S.W., Room 2902
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 382-5919
(FTS) 8-382-5919
Geraldine Nowak, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Technical Information Center, TS-793
Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
Chemical Information Division
401 M St SW, Rm. E447
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-3568
(FTS) 8-382-3568
Peg Nelson, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 1 Library
JFK Federal Building, Room 2100-B
Boston,'MA 02203
(617) 223-5791
(FTS) 8-223-5791
Audrey Thomas, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 2 Library
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-2881
(FTS) 8-264-2881
Diane McCreary, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 3 Library
Curtis Building, 3PM24
6th and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 597-0580
(FTS) 8-597-0580
Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 4 Library
345 Courtland St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 881-4216
(FTS) 8-257-4216
Lou Tilley
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5 Library
230 South Dearborn St., Room 1420
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-2022
(FTS) 8-353-2022
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region V, Library
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
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Nita House, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 6 Library
1201 Elm Street'
First International Building
Dallas, TX 75270
(214) 767-7341
(FTS) 8-729-7341
Connie McKenzie, Librarian
U S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 7 Library
324 East 11th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 374-3497
(FTS) 8-758-3497
Dolores Eddy, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 8 Library, 8PM-ASI
1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO 80295
(303) 837-2560
(FTS) 8-327-2560
Vera Warnck, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9 Library
215 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 454-8076
(FTS) 8-454-8255
Julienne Sears, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 10 Information Center, M/S 541
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 442-1289
(FTS) 8-399-1289
Rose Ann Gamache, Librarian
U S Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Research Laboratory
Library
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 789-1071 x26/5 or 268
(FTS) 8-838-5087 x265 or 268
Dorothy Szefczyk, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 2 Field Office Library
Edison, NJ 08813
(201) 321-6762
(FTS) 8-340-6762
Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Central Regional Laboratory Library
839 Bestgate Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
(301) 224-2740
(FTS) 8-922-3752
Libby Smith, Librarian
Library Services, MD-35
U.S Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919) 541-2777
(FTS) 8-629-2777
Charlotte Folk, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Research Laboratory
Library
College Station Road
Athens, GA 30613
(404) 546-3324
(FTS) 8-250-3324
Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards Library, MD-16
826 Mutual Plaza
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919) 541-5514
(FTS) 8-629-5514
Susan Means, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Research Laboratory
Library
Sabine Island
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
(904) 932-5311 x218
(FTS) 8-686-9011
Evelyn Poole-Kober, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESRL—Meteorology Division Library,
MD-80
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919) 541-4536
(FTS) 8-629-4536
Jonda Byrd, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Research Center Library
26 West St. Clair Street
Cincinnati, OH 45268
(513) 684-7701
(FTS) 8-684-7701
Mary Harden, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Research Laboratory
Library
6201 Congdon Boulevard
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 727-6692 x538
(FTS) 8-783-9538
Debbie Talsma, Librarian
U.S Environmental Protection Agency
Motor Vehicle Emission Laboratory
Library
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(313) 668-4311
(FTS) 8-374-8311
LoRene Fuller
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory Library
P. O. Box 1198
Ada, OK 74820
(405) 332-8800
(FTS) 8-743-2241
Mary Quinlivan, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Enforcement Investigation
Center Library
Building 53, Box 25227
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
(303) 234-5765
(FTS) 8-234-5765
Doreen Wickman, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring & Support
Laboratory Library
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
(702) 798-2648
(FTS) 8-545-2648
Betty McCauley, Librarian
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Corvalhs Environmental Research
Laboratory Library
200 SW 35th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
(503) 757-4731
(FTS) 8-420-4731
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