Many of the Libraries’ electronic databases index newspapers, magazines, and journal articles. One unique database, Reference Universe, indexes thousands of print reference works such as dictionaries, handbooks, and encyclopedias. The database now also indexes web-based reference works. Why is this important?

Suppose you are assigned a research paper on the impact of religion during the Han Dynasty. Maybe you’ve heard that the Han period represents a “Golden Age” in Chinese history. Beyond that, though, the Han are a mystery. Obtaining background information now becomes critical to both your understanding of the topic as well as your ability to properly research it. That’s where Reference Universe comes in! A quick search of the Reference Universe database for the phrase “Han Dynasty” reveals citations for Temple-owned reference works including the Encyclopedia of Religion and War. Even better, Reference Universe indicates that there are no less than 15 entries in the back-of-the-book index to the Han Dynasty. Examples include “Confucianism, Han Dynasty” on pp. 82-87, and “Legalism and Confucianism–Han Dynasty” on pp. 83, 84, and 106. The next step is simply to walk into Paley Library’s reference stacks and retrieve the encyclopdia in question.

As mentioned above, Reference Universe now goes one step further by both indexing and providing direct links to Temple-owned online reference works from ABC-CLIO, Oxford, and netLibrary, among others. It’s never been so easy to search and retrieve the important background information critical to good research.

–David C. Murray

A major new acquisition, Early American Imprints (EAI) Series I and II will be particularly welcome among students of Americana.

Early American Imprints, Series I: Evans (1639-1800)

Based on the renowned American Bibliography by Charles Evans. The definitive resource for every aspect of life in 17th- and 18th-century America, from agriculture and auctions through foreign affairs, diplomacy, literature, music, religion, the Revolutionary War, temperance, witchcraft, and just about any other topic imaginable. Upon completion, Evans Digital will consist of more than 36,000 works and 2,400,000 images.

Early American Imprints, Series II: Shaw-Shoemaker (1801-1819)

Covering every aspect of American life during the early decades of the United States, this rich primary source collection provides full-text access to the 36,000 American books, pamphlets and broadsides published in the first nineteen years of the nineteenth century. Its intuitive interface allows students and scholars to explore the development of the American nation as never before.

To access the database simply click on the appropriate series title above. Alternately, from the Libraries’ Home Page, click on Find Articles > All Research Databases > NewsBank Fulltext Pennsylvania Newspapers. From there, click on Series I or II as desired. EAI will soon have its own link on the “All Research Databases” page. If accessing Early American Imprints from off-campus, log into the Libraries’ Home Page via TUPortal.

–David C. Murray