DataBasics 

This is the first of a regular monthly column by Mitchell Memorial Library instruction team leader Kerry Smith highlighting various databases available to library patrons.

Mitchell Memorial Library has contracted with Information Access Co. to provide two business reference databases on InfoTrac SearchBankSM.

Under the agreement, Mitchell Memorial's users may access thousands of information resources through InfoTrac SearchBank's General BusinessFile ASAPOE and Predicasts PROMTOE. These resources contain article indexing as well as the capability of viewing and retrieving full text articles from magazines, newspapers, newsletters, market research studies, news releases, and investment and brokerage firm reports. InfoTrac SearchBank's reference databases provide complete answers to student, business, current event, and personal interest research inquiries.

InfoTrac SearchBankSM provides Web and dial-in access to these comprehensive reference databases, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Users will find current, complete information no matter when or where they choose to search-whether it's the library during normal business hours, the office at 11 on a week night, or home at 7 on a weekend morning, they will find the necessary answers to complete their research.

Individuals affiliated with Mississippi State can access the databases from the library's web site at at <nt.library.msstate.edu/>. Users accessing the databases remotely may be prompted for a password, which can be acquired by calling the library's reference desk at 325-7667.

In 1985, Information Access Co. introduced the InfoTracr family of reference products to public, academic, and K-12 libraries. The online reference system InfoTrac SearchBankSM, introduced in 1994, gives libraries Internet access to InfoTracr and other popular reference databases stored at the Information Access Center in Medford, Mass.

Information Access Co. provides a complete range of general reference, business, health, legal, and computer databases in a variety of formats. These databases contain a broad range of sources, including popular magazines, scholarly journals, newsletters, information pamphlets, newspapers, investment reports, newswire releases, and reference books.

To see how General BusinessFile ASAPOE and Predicasts PROMTOE on InfoTrac SearchBankSM can help with research projects, visit the library during normal business hours or call the Reference Department at 325-7667.