Using the Gale Databases Menu

The Gale Databases Menu is displayed when you first access your library's Gale resources, whether you're at a PC at your library (or school) or remotely from your home or office.

When you are using a Gale product, you can access the Gale Databases Menu by clicking Change Databases on the title bar. Note that in some products, you will use the More Databases link to go to the Databases Menu.

How Collections are Listed on the Gale Databases Menu

The Gale Databases Menu displays all the Gale collections available in your library's subscription. The collections are arranged alphabetically into two groups: 1) those products listed first are ones that can be included in a cross-search, and 2) collections displayed under the heading "Additional Products" cannot be included in a cross-search. Depending on your library's subscription, you may find products listed in one or both groups. You can click the Cross-Searchable Products and Additional Products links to jump back and forth between these listings.

Note: The term cross-search as used here applies to simultaneously searching multiple databases of your choice using PowerSearch.

Each database listed in the menu has the following features:

Icon and product name. You can click on the icon or the product name to launch the database to begin searching and using product features.
Some products have a date range to show how many years of periodical or journal material are covered.
A short description to give you an idea which product you might want to choose for your particular need.
Products that can be included in a cross-search have a Select check box to the left of the database name. At the top of the list, you'll find a Select All box. A check mark indicates that the database will be searched when you click the Continue >> button to launch PowerSearch. Note that products you select to be included in a PowerSearch cross-search will appear highlighted.

Note that some libraries offer customized database collections suitable for a certain audience and/or focused on a particular topic. Ask your administrator if you have a question about which collections are available.

Performing a Cross-Search Directly from the Gale Databases Menu

Above the list of products, the Find box lets you cross-search Gale products directly from the Gale Databases page. Enter one or more search terms in the Find box to perform a basic keyword search. Select the appropriate radio button to search all available cross-searchable products, or just the products you have selected via the Select check boxes. Then click the Search button to go directly to a results list in PowerSearch. Note that the Find box searches only the Cross-Searchable Products to which your library subscribes.

Additional Links

To the right of the Find box you may find these additional links:

If enabled by your library, you may return to your library's home page
Click Title List to go to the Gale website where you can download title lists for any product

You may also find, if enabled by your library, a Return to Library link (or similar) in the upper right-hand corner of the page. This link allows your library to specify up to five library links. If multiple links are available, they will appear in a drop-down menu when you hover over the link.

Lastly, you will find helpful links at the bottom of the page to find out more about PowerSearch, contact Gale, and view the Gale copyright, terms of use and privacy policy statements.

A Note to Users of Literature Resources from Gale

Literature Resources from Gale also does cross-searching, but focuses exclusively on literary content. When you select Literature Resources from Gale from the Gale Databases page, you will automatically be able to cross-search a select group of literature databases, depending on your library's subscriptions. Visit our online site for more information about Literature Resources from Gale.