Guide to Using the ICONN Databases

The Connecticut Digital Library provides free access to a variety of high quality electronic information databases to Connecticut residents. They can be accessed from school by clicking on the ICONNlinkon the North Haven Middle School Library home page. You will be connected automatically. Click on the Middle School choice on the left side of the page. Select the database you wish to search then begin. At home you will be prompted to provide the id number from a Connecticut public library card. The web address is

Discovering Collection
Information about People, Places and Events -- history, literature, biography, science and social studies.Middle school and up.

InfoTrac Junior Edition
Articles and curriculum-related materials selected especially for grades 6-8.

InfoTrac Student Edition
Articles and curriculum-related materials selected especially for grades 9-12.

Biography in Context
Biographical profiles and images of individuals from antiquity to the present.

Connecticut Digital Collections
Presents historical photographs, maps, manuscripts, oral histories and more from Connecticut.

Science in Context
Focuses on key concepts taught in classrooms including biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, math, environmental science, life science, medicine, space science, computer science, technology, history of science, science related biographies.

Heath and Wellness Resource Center

All ages. Medical information for health professionals and general readers.

Books and authors

Adapted from What do I read next? For everyone from students to adults.

U.S. History in Context

Covering US history from colonial times to the present. Includes articles, primary source documents, timelines, maps and atlases, audio and video clips.

World History in Context

Covering world history from antiquity to the present. Includes articles, primary source documents, timelines, maps and atlases, and images

More choices at

Guide to Using the ICONN Databases (continued)

Search Tips

  • Select the correct database for your needs
  • Use advanced search features whenever possible
  • Be selective with keyword searching (make up a list of keywords/synonyms before you begin your search)
  • Avoid the use of “question format” for keyword searching
  • Use Boolean operators such as and, or, and not when necessary. In most database search engines “and” is implied. “And” limits your search (all search words must appear in the returned citations), “or” expands your search to add synonyms. An example would be college or university. “Not” is used to exclude certain words. An example might be dolphins “not” Miami if you don’t want information on the football team.
  • Try truncating words to return more hits. For instance use educat* to retrieve information on education, educators, educating. Use the “wildcard” feature (wom#n) to find information on women or woman.
  • Using “quotation marks” around words means they must appear in that order in the returned citations. Sometimes that is too limiting.
  • Always use lower case letters since upper case might limit your hits.
  • Select full text option in periodical databases to retrieve only complete article not just abstracts
  • For the highest quality information choose the option for refereed (reviewed by experts in the field)
  • Keep refining your search until you retrieve the information most pertinent to your needs.
  • Look at the number of returned hits you get. Try to aim for less than 100. The information is listed by date not relevance so you need to read them all.
  • Always look at the “see also” cross referencing information at the bottom of the page.
  • Always choose the print friendly version. Click on the print icon on the left side of the page to format for your browser.

North Haven Middle School Library