The University Libraries Web, the Library Information Access System (LIAS), is the gateway to the wide range of resources that are available to the Penn State community. These include The CAT, the catalog of the materials that the University Libraries own, databases in a number of subjects, full text journal collections, and some full text reference materials. The CAT and the databases that are most useful in engineering science will be reviewed. After the summary of the database, there is a link to a web page with more detailed information and examples. The list of databases available through LIAS is called the E-Resources List All the databases described below are on the List.
The CAT provides author, title, and subject access to 'whole items.' Whole items means that the entire resource is indexed without information to the parts of the work. For example, a conference will be listed by the title of the conference, the editor, the sponsoring agency, and subject headings. The individual papers presented at the conference will not be indexed in the CAT. Journal titles will be listed, but not individual papers published in the journal. For access to individual articles or conference papers a subject database is used.
Materials that are indexed in the CAT include books, journal titles, computer files, CD ROMs, conferences, videos, maps, etc.
Compendex (Computerized Engineering Index) is the major index to all branches of engineering. It indexes journal articles and conference papers from 1884-. For earlier publications refer to the printed Engineering Index (Z5851.E62 ). You may search by author, title words, keyword or subject headings, as well as other index terms.
Many of the articles are available full text online. Use the yellow fulltext links or the Get It! icon for more information.
Inspec is the electronic version of Physics Abstracts, Computer and Control Abstracts, and Electrical and Electronics Abstracts. It indexes conference papers and journal articles in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, as well as other related subjects. Inspec searches the same as Compendex and both databases can be searched at the same time if you check the "All" box at the topic of the search page.
NTIS (National Technical Information Service) is a major index to technical reports. A large percent are on the various branches of engineering. Coverage starts with 1964. You may search by author, title, keyword or subject headings. There is no call number, but each report is identified by a ID number, which is the number used in filing the reports, on microfiche, in cabinets on the left side of the Engineering Library. If the report you need is not in the file cabinet, ask for assistance at the circulation desk in the Engineering Library. We can order the report for you. It normally takes approximately ten days for the report to arrive. Note that many reports are now available full text on the Web.
ProQuest is a multi-disciplinary database which indexes over 5000 journals, magazines and newspapers. Many are full text. While coverage of engineering topics is not strong from a technological sense, it is very good for looking at the social and economic aspects and there are some appropriate journals indexed.
PubMed is an index to medical journals. It provides abstracts for many and full text access to a number of titles. Citations go back to the 1950s. PubMed tutorial is available. Excellent resource for transportation injury research.
Science Citation Index is a unique index that allows you to discover what subsequent publications have included a reference to an earlier, pertinent publication in their bibliography. SCI indexes 3200 titles in all areas of science and technology. Searching is done via author name. The theory behind citation indexing is simple. If a later paper references a paper that you have found useful, there is a strong possibility that the later paper might be useful to you. Citation indexing provides that link so you can locate these new papers. Full text links are available for many citations.
Multisearching allows you to search in several databases at one time. You can also set up your own database "clusters" for different classes.
The Business Library has a number of useful web sites. Check the web or contact the business librarians for assistance.
Company Information Tutorial (note - some of the databases described in the tutorial are not longer subscribed to by the Libraries)
Hoovers provides company and industry information, web sites, etc.
LexisNexis Academic Provides searching and full text access to resources in business, law, politics, general information, transcripts, etc.
EngNetBase A full text collection of engineering handbooks.
Ceramics Abstracts "international coverage on the manufacture, processing, applications, properties and testing of traditional and advanced ceramics. Source materials include over 300 journals, conference proceedings, books, patents, standards and company product literature."
Corrosion Abstracts covers journals from 1980-.
Dissertation Abstracts indexes dissertations and some theses from over 1000 US and European institutions. Many have 24 pages available full text. Some are available for free download.
Engineered Materials journals from 1986-.
IEEE Electronic Library journals, conferences papers and standards from 1988 -
Lexis/Nexis news, business, legal resources.
Materials
Sciences "access to the worldwide literature of materials science
and engineering. The collection includes six databases: (1) METADEX (otherwise
known as "Metals Abstracts"); (2) Engineered Materials Abstracts;
(3) Materials Business File; (4) Mechanical Engineering Abstracts; (5) WELDASEARCH
(6) World Ceramics Abstracts Coverage varies among the databases with the oldest
coverage dating from 1966 to date."
Metadex metals and alloys: their properties, manufacturing, applications, and development from 1966 -.
Science.gov One stop searching for information from over 1850 websites and databases from 12 government agencies.
Society of Automotive Engineers index to technical papers from the Society. Also, the full text of papers from 2005- and the SAE Handbook. Located on a workstation in the Engineering Library. Earlier SAE papers are available on fiche in the Engineering Library. Many SAE reports are available in print in collections. Search the CAT for holdings.
TRIS indexes articles, books, reports on all areas of transportation. Many full text links.
General Web Sites
The Engineering Library web page is a 'one stop' summary of quality web sites. It includes general resources of use to engineers, subject specific sites, links for full text materials (journals, magazines, technical reports and some handbooks), and instructional guides with an engineering focus.
National Transportation Library - " Charged with improving the availability of transportation-related information needed by Federal, state, and local decision-makers, the National Transportation Library's (NTL) mission is to increase timely access to the information that supports transportation policy, research, operations, and technology transfer activities." [from website]
Intute (EEVL)
Search or browse this large, annotated collection of engineering web sites. Frequently updated.
Excellent resource from University of California, Riverside. Search the site or browse by category.
Free web search from Elsevier. Search the site by topic, author, affiliation, some citation searching.
Google search the academic Internet world. Has links that can take you to full
text if Penn State has a subscription. Some use in citation searching and for finding related articles.
The University Libraries is purchasing an increasing number of journals in electronic format so the patron can use the materials on their desktop. In addition, a number of agencies are beginning to put their reports up on the Web full text.
To locate journals that are available, search the CAT by the journal name. If there is an electronic version a URL will be noted in the record. Click on the link and follow the directions on the screen. Most of these titles are only available in electronic format for the last few years. See IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics for an example.
For more information on electronic journals and how to access them see the Remote Database Access Guide .
Reports are available from a number of places. These include:
Web searches may also turn up additional reports.
Other Information
Sometimes it is difficult to know where a journal is indexed. A well kept secret is the following guide. It lists journals, publication data and who indexes each publication. Give it a look.
Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory
Ulrich's is generally used by librarians, however it serves a very important role for the student/researcher. If you know a few good journals, Ulrich's can tell you which databases index those journals. Go to Ulrich's and look under the title of the journal in question. Symbols denote refereed on ths search page and on the description page under document type.
Services provides an electronic link to Interlibrary Loan which borrow materials that the University Library does not own.
My Library Record (on the Libraries' homepage) allows you to renew your books without bringing them back to the library (2 times, anyway) and lets you check what books you have out, when they are due, what is on hold, fines, etc.
WorldCat - WorldCat is an index to the combined collection of thousands of libraries around the world. It has over 67million records. Use it to verify a citation or to locate who owns a title.
Engineering Library Transportation Engineering Web Sites
Engineering Library Tutorial a fast review of the major databases in engineering.
Citation Guides
Engineering Library's Guide to Citations
Gateway Library's Writing Guide
Bonnie Osif, February 5, 2007
Site for Transportation Engineering
Send all questions and comments to Bonnie Osif