Access to Online Databases

USC High School Library

2011-2012 (Revised Sept. 19 2011)

Table of Contents:

  1. PantherPAC—Web Collection Plus: Web-based Book Catalog…………….2
  2. EBSCOhost Databases:

MagillOnLiterature Plus, History Reference Center, & Points of View.....2

  1. Bloom's Literary Reference Online…………………………………………….…3
  2. JSTOR………………………………………………………………………………….…3
  3. Gale’s Discovering Collection………..………………………………………..…...4
  1. World Book Online Reference Center/World Book Advanced……..………4
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Newspaper Online……………………………………4
  3. World & I Online…………………………………………………………….…5
  4. Country Reports……………………………………………………………………..5
  5. CultureGrams (available @ school ONLY)……………………………………..5
  6. Access PA POWER Library Databases(including HW Wilson’s OmniFile MEGA, Select & Science Full Text, & Reader’s Guide SELECT, and GreenFILE)………………..………..6-8
  7. Helpful Hints………………………..…………………………………………...... 9
  8. MLA Quickcard (The Green Sheet)……………………………………………...10-11

Accessing the STUDENT LINKS Page for these Online Resources

Go to any USC District webpage. Click the ACADEMICS tab and then click on STUDENT LINKS. On the left sidebar, click USC HIGH SCHOOL.

If you have trouble accessing these databases, ask a Librarian for help.

Also, let us know how you like the resources and how they are useful to you.

Home access and email capabilities are available for all of these online services. User Id’s and passwords for each database are inside of this brochure. uschs & panther for all! 

Some databases include the MLA citations for articles. Look for that feature!

Good Luck with your research. Ask for help when you need it.

Panther PAC/Web Collection Plus: The Web-based

USC High School Library On-line Card Catalog

  • From school you can just click onto the Follett Web Collections link in STUDENT LINKS menu.
  • Outside of school, go to or to the High School Library’s website via the USC School District website.
  • Once you are into the catalog, type in your search and click onto the appropriate icon (KEYWORD, TITLE, AUTHOR, SUBJECT, ETC.).
  • On the Results page, you will see what titles are available, where they are located, and if they are currently on the library shelves. You can get additional information when you click onto each title.
  • Use the BOOKBAG feature to make personalized book lists.

EBSCOhost’s Magill OnLiterature Plus, History Reference Center, & Points of View

“MagillOnLiterature Plus, produced by Salem Press, is the premier literary database, combining MagillOnLiterature and MagillOnAuthors. This database includes all the literary works, reviewed critical analyses and brief plot summaries that are included in MagillOnLiterature, as well as all the biographies and author essays included in MagillOnAuthors.”

“History Reference Centeroffers full text from more than 2,000 reference books, encyclopedias and non-fiction books, cover to cover full text for more than 120 history periodicals, more than 59,600 historical documents, 49,600 biographies of historical figures, more than 110,200 historical photos and maps, and more than 80 hours of historical video.”

“Points of View Reference Centeris a full text database designed to provide students and schools with a series of controversial essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. Essays provide questions and materials for further thought and study and are accompanied by thousands of supporting articles from the world’s top political and societal publications.”

To access these databases from school: From STUDENT LINKS, click onto the database name that you want to use.

Look at the bibliographies at the end of articles for additional sources.

To print an article: Click the printer icon at the top or bottom of the article.

If you want to save or email an article, click on the appropriate icon at the top or bottom of it.

Click the CITE button to get the MLA citation for the article.

For home access, go to STUDENT LINKS, click onto the database name that you want to use. Or, you can go to . Login and then choose the database that you want to use.

User Id: uschs Password: panther

Bloom's Literary Reference Online

“Facts On File’s literature database has been thoroughly revised and expanded to include the writings of renowned literary critic Harold Bloom. In addition to Facts On File’s extensive print literature reference collection, the database now includes hundreds of Professor Bloom’s essays, which examine the lives and works of great writers throughout history and the world. Unlike many resources, this database also contains an archive of more than 40,000 characters, as well as extensive entries on literary topics, themes, movements, and genres. Other key features of Bloom’s LiteraryReference Online include redesigned browse and keyword search options, an up-to-date timeline of world literature, and a special feature on Harold Bloom’s Western LiteraryCanon. Diverse and authoritative, this database is sure to become a standard resource for all school and public

libraries.”

  • From STUDENT LINKS, click the Bloom's Literary Reference Online link.
  • The fastest way to search is to enter the TITLE of the work you are researching and hit SEARCH.
  • You can individually search Bloom resources, authors, works, topics/themes, and timelines too.
  • Once you get to the results list, note that the articles are categorized for you (overview, criticism, biography).
  • Click onto the title of the result to get the full text article. Notice in the PAGE TOOLS BOX that you can print, email home, make text larger or smaller, and jump to the citation (REMEMBER TO CONVERT THE CITATION INTO MLA FORMAT!)
  • Notice the tabs at the top of the page and RELATED INFORMATION section for additional resources on your topic/work title.
  • Home access directions: Use student links from the USCHS webpage or

Go to

username: uschs password: panther

Click LOGIN

JSTOR“With participation and support from the international scholarly community, JSTOR has created a high-quality, interdisciplinary archive of scholarship, is actively preserving over one thousand academic journals in both digital and print formats, and continues to greatly expand access to scholarly works and other materials needed for research and teaching globally. We are investing in new initiatives to increase the productivity of researchers and to facilitate new forms of scholarship. JSTOR includes archives of over one thousand leading academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as select monographs and other materials valuable for academic work. The entire corpus is full-text searchable, offers search term highlighting, includes high-quality images, and is interlinked by millions of citations and references.” Many university libraries have the JSTOR database.

  • From STUDENT LINKS, click the JSTOR link or go to
  • Enter the Username: uschs and Password: panther
  • For home access, visit the address above and use the same log in information or use STUDENT LINKS from the USCHS webpage.
  • You can search through ALL DISCIPLINES, or pick individual subjects in the “Limit by Discipline” area. See the “Quick Tips” area for help in composing your search. Try the “Advanced Search” too.
  • If you need to change the article language, you can do so in the ADVANCED SEARCH menu under “Article Language.” You can pick from English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish. Some parts of the JSTOR database are translated into Simplified and Traditional Chinese, German, French, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean.

Gale’s Discovering Collection…for general searches on any topic.

“The Discovering Collection provides quick access to accurate information via an intuitive interface that takes the guesswork out of research. Thomson Gale'sDiscovering Collection allows students to get the "whole picture" on any curriculum topic. Provide your students award-winning reference content from Thomson Gale and they will develop their critical-thinking skills by placing people, places, events and primary documents in context.”

From STUDENT LINKS, click onto the Gale Group link.

  • If prompted, enter the passwordPANTHER and click PROCEED.
  • Enter your search terms, enter any search limiters, and click the blue SEARCH button.
  • You can email articles home in this database.
  • Home access directions: Use STUDENT LINKS from the USCHS webpage or
  • Go to
  • Enter this password: panther
  • Click PROCEED and follow the directions above.

Remember to consult THE GREEN SHEET for help with citing your sources in MLA format.

World Book Advanced

“Since 1917, World Book, Inc. has set the standard for providing accuracy, objectivity, and reliability in research materials for both children and adults. Based in Chicago, Illinois, World Book is an industry leader in the production of award-winning encyclopedias, reference sources, and multimedia products for the home and schools. World Book Online Reference center contains all the articles from the printed version, plus video clips, graphics, sounds, and animations.”

  • From STUDENT LINKS, click the World Book Online Reference Center link, or go to this website:
  • Enter your search terms and click “Go”.
  • You may also use search limiters by going to the SEARCH tab and using the “Search for a word or phrase”, “Browse” or “Boolean phrase” options.
  • By clicking on the other tabs, you are able to access Maps (Atlas), look up words (Dictionary), and explore a wealth of information on our home state (Pennsylvania Resources).
  • WORLD BOOK ADVANCED can be accessed by clicking the World Book Advanced link at the top right-hand corner of the page. This is an excellent database for PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS.
  • Home access directions:Use STUDENT LINKS from the USCHS webpage or go to
  • Enter this user I.D.: uschs Enter this password: panther
  • If necessary, choose World Book Advanced.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Newspaper Online

Go to

TEACHER USERNAME: 38590 TEACHER PASSWORD: pgnie STUDENT USERNAME: 38590 STUDENT PASSWORD: pgnie2

World and I Database

The World and I, "across-curriculum resource that encompasses a broad range of articles by scholars and experts, published monthly by The World & I Online."The site includes the magazine's contents since 1986 as well as a new on-line, monthly issue. It offers information on science, social studies, language arts, arts and architecture, ESL, and Spanish.

  • Go to STUDENT LINKS and click on World and or go to
  • username: uschs password: library
  • At the next screen,make sure to click CONTINUE. See below…
  • Teacher access code: TAC (for teacher pages access to crossword puzzles, lesson plans, etc.)
  • The "Tutorial" page at the Teacher's Corner, the "Take a Tour" or the "Overview" features at the top right-hand corner of the home page will provide further information on best utilizing the site.

Country Reports

Cultural, Historical, and Statistical Country Information. The online database 'country reports' can be accessed from STUDENT LINKS

username: uschs password: panther

CultureGrams—Available from school only! No home access!

From Student Links, click onto CultureGrams. There is no home access for this database.

If you need COPYRIGHT FREE images, sound clips, or videos for a project, check out CreativeCommons.org

Access PA POWER Library Databases

  • Databases available from the POWER Library (subject to change):
  • Access PA database for interlibrary loans
  • Associated Press AP Images

1

  • From EBSCO Publishing
  • GreenFile
  • Consumer Health Complete
  • Auto Repair Reference Center
  • netLibrary
  • Teacher Reference Center
  • LISTA (Library, Information Science & Technology

Abstracts)

  • Proquest ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry
  • From Thomson Gale
  • Contemporary Authors
  • InfoTrac Newstand
  • From HW Wilson (SEE NEXT PAGES FOR DETAILS)
  • OmniFile Mega
  • OmniFile Select
  • Reader’s Guide Select
  • Science Full Text Select
  • Proquest ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry
  • From Thomson Gale
  • Contemporary Authors
  • InfoTrac Newstand

To access these databases from school or home: From STUDENT LINKS, click onto the POWER Library link.

For home access: Go to the Township Library’s web page

  • You will need the barcode number from your TOWNSHIP LIBRARY CARD!
  • On the right-hand side of the screen, click onto ONLINE DATABASES. Click POWER LIBRARY under “Databases by Subject,” or “General Reference.”
  • Follow the directions and enter the barcode number on your Township Library card. If you need to use your password, it is the last 4 digits of your phone number.
  • Then click onto the database that you want to use.

POWER Library’s HW Wilson’s OmniFile MEGA, Select, Reader’s Guide Select, & Science Full Text

To access these databases from school: From STUDENT LINKS, click POWER Library.

For home access: Go to the Township Library’s web page

  • You will need the barcode number from your TOWNSHIP LIBRARY CARD!
  • On the right-hand side of the screen, click onto ONLINE DATABASES. Click POWER LIBRARY under “Databases by Subject,” or “General Reference.”
  • Follow the directions and enter the barcode number on your Township Library card. If you need to use your password, it is the last 4 digits of your phone number.
  • Then click onto the database that you want to use.

Under GENERAL REFERENCES click on OmniFile Mega, OmniFile Select or Science Full Text Select (under Health/Science)

  • OMNIFILE MEGA: Multi-disciplinary full-text database covering Art, Education, Social Science, the Humanities, Business, Science, Current Events, and more. Contains Indexing and Abstracting of 4000 journals, with Full Text from more than 2500 journals. Includes Full Text from 1995 forward, and Indexing from 1982 forward.
  • OMNIFILE SELECT: 100% full-text multi-disciplinary database covering Art, Education, Social Science, the Humanities, Business, Science, Current Events, and more.
  • READERS’ GUIDE SELECT: 100% full-text database containing indexing, abstracting, and full text of 200 of the most popular general-interest periodicals published in the United States and Canada. Among the topics covered are current events, hobbies, politics, business, sports, recreation, news, cooking, popular music, entertainment, transportation, travel and more.
  • SCIENCE FULL TEXT SELECT 100% full-text database covering the sciences. Includes the full text from 360 journals from Wilson's Applied Science, Biological & Agricultural, and General Science databases, as well as science related articles from other Wilson databases.

Type the title of your work in the FIND bar and make sure to select FULL TEXT and PEER REVIEWED to get scholarly results.

On the results page, you can view the article in HTML or PDF, if available. Additional subject headings are on the right-side of the page.

Citing HW Wilson Articles from POWER Library

When you click onto a result title, pay attention to the top right-hand corner of the page. Here you can email, print, save, export and cite.

When you click CITE, the MLA version will be first. You can copy and paste this it is in 7th edition MLA format. 

If you need to include the URL:

Sutton, Brian. "Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and "Babylon Revisited"." The Explicator 65.3 (2007): 164-7. OmniFile Full Text Mega. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <

To access these databases from school or home: From STUDENT LINKS, click onto the POWER Library link.

For home access: Go to the Township Library’s web page

  • You will need the barcode number from your TOWNSHIP LIBRARY CARD!
  • On the right-hand side of the screen, click onto ONLINE DATABASES. Click POWER LIBRARY under “Databases by Subject,” or “General Reference.”
  • Follow the directions and enter the barcode number on your Township Library card. If you need to use your password, it is the last 4 digits of your phone number.
  • Then click onto the database that you want to use.

Helpful Hints

Accessing STUDENT LINKS

Go to any USC District webpage. Click the ACADEMICS tab and then click on STUDENT LINKS.

On the left sidebar, click USC HIGH SCHOOL.

Use uschs and panther to login into these online sources.

If for some reason the links in STUDENT LINKS do not work,

all of the databases explained in this brochure

can be accessed through the Internet via the

web addresses provided.

MLA Quick Reference Card Based on MLA 7th Edition Revised August 2011

  1. A book by one author

Gurko, Leo. Ernest Hemingway and the Pursuit of Heroism. New York: Crowell, 1968. Print.

  1. A book by 2 or 3 authors (only reverse the first name listed)

Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 2nd

ed. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2003. Print.

  1. 2 or more books by the same author

Traversi, Derek A. An Approach to Shakespeare. Garden City: Anchor, 1969. Print.

---. Shakespeare: The Last Phase. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1955. Print.

  1. A book with a title in its title

Gellens, Jay, ed. Twentieth Century Interpretations of A Farewell to Arms. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1970. Print.