Database FAQs
- I've found a good article citation and/or abstract. How do I get the article itself?
- How do I choose a database to search?
- Why is/isn't a particular database in a subject category?
- I have a Database to Recommend. How can I do that?
- There is a password required to access the database. How do I find out the password?
- Do you "time out" from the Library Databases?
- I e-mailed myself an article from a Library database, and when I try to open the link to the article from off-campus it doesn't work.
1. I've found a good article citation and/or abstract. How do I get the article itself?
- Journal Locator: Check the Journal Locator to see if the periodical is available online in one of our subscription databases or in the Library (in print, on microfilm, or on microfiche).
If the periodical is not found using the Journal Locator, other options to get periodical articles include:
- Interlibrary Loan: If you have approximately one week, you can request the article from our Interlibrary Services department. The request form can be completed online or at any service desk in the Library.
- If you need the article sooner than it would take to order through Interlibrary Loan, you can check reQuest Catalog. In request, a title search will find which other libraries in Connecticut own the periodical.
For additional help or suggestions, Ask A Reference Librarian.
2. How do I choose a database to search
- If you are just starting your research, begin with our Best Bets For Starting Your Research guides. These guides, divided by subject area, give you a handful of databases that we recommend starting with.
- On the databases page, click on the subject heading that most closely matches the topic of the information you want. Descriptions are provided for each database to help you in your selection process.
- Still having problems? You can always Ask A Reference Librarian for suggestions:
- In person & telephone help: The Reference Desk is staffed most of the hours that the Library is open. Come in or call for research guidance: (203) 254-4044 ext. 2178.
- Research help is also available via e-mail.
- Instant Messaging: Add the Library To Your Buddy List
FairfieldUlib - AOL and Yahoo
FairfieldUlib@gmail.com - Google Talk
FairfieldUlib@hotmail.com - MSN
We're online during Reference Desk Hours.
Can't download IM software? Try AIM Express or KoolIM
- Text staghelp:your question to 265010 during Reference Desk hours. Don't forget the colon after staghelp!
- There is a 24/7 chat reference system running at all times.
- In person & telephone help: The Reference Desk is staffed most of the hours that the Library is open. Come in or call for research guidance: (203) 254-4044 ext. 2178.
3. Why is/isn't a particular database in a subject category?
If you think a particular database should/shouldn't be included in a particular subject category, please let us know.
Simply fill out a "Comments & Feedback" form, or e-mail us at reference@fairfield.edu.
4. I have a Database to Recommend. How can I do that?
If you have a database in mind that you think would be suitable for our collection, simply fill out our Database Recommendation Form.
Requests will be considered by our Library Electronic Resources Committee.
5. There is a password required to access the database. How do I find out the password?
Those databases with the "key" icon 
under their titles require specific passwords. To obtain the password, click on the key icon and enter your NetID login/password when prompted.
Passwords will only be made available to currently registered students, faculty, and staff. See the Access to Library Services page for more information.
Note: If you are off-campus and are having trouble accessing databases that have the "mouse" icon 
under titles (indicating off-campus access is available), see the Access to Library Services page for more information.
6. Do you "time out" from the Library Databases?
Some databases have a timeout feature that automatically logs you out of the database after a certain amount of time of inactivity. You will need to re-login to that database.
7. I e-mailed myself an article from a Library database, and when I try to open the link to the article from off-campus it doesn't work.
If you are off-campus, you may sometimes notice that the links to articles that you e-mail to yourself may not work. This is most likely because the links are not "proxied." The Library uses a technique called "proxying" to allow you to access databases and article from off-campus.
For example, say I had a link in my e-mail to an article from the Library's Proquest Newspapers database:
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1936147571&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=48293&RQT=309&VName=PQD
This link will not work from off-campus even though we are subscribers to the Proquest Newspapers database.
To make this link work from off-campus, please add in the proxy prefix before the rest of the link.
The proxy prefix is: https://libdb.fairfield.edu/login?url=
If you manually add in this prefix before the link that's not working, it will prompt you to log in with your NedID credentials if you are off-campus, and you should then be able to see the article from off-campus.