The information resources available here are:
1. ones that we pay a subscription fee for our students to be able to access(so, if you’re not using a school computer you will need to enter our passwords, which are available from the Library.)
2. reliable, as they are from authoritative sources that have been checked by editors with an expertise in the subject area (UNLIKE most Internet webpages!)
Details & Extras:
The Encyclopedia of B.C. – The online version of the excellent encyclopedia that covers almost everything notable related to British Columbia.
World Book Online – The online version of the popular encyclopedia.
INFOTRAC Databases CPI.Q (Canadian Periodicals) – articles from a comprehensive list of Canadian and international journals, magazines, selected sections of the Globe and Mail, Canadian biographies, and other reference content from Gale Group, all with a Canadian focus
Gale Virtual Reference Library – a database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research that includes the additional eBooks that we have purchased (see below)
Gale eBooks – electronic versions of popular reference books
Alternative Energy
Ancient Civilizations Reference Library
Arts and Humanities Through the Eras
Canadian Parliamentary Guide 2005
Chemical Elements: From Carbon to Krypton
Chemistry: Foundations and Applications
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture
Fashion; Costume; and Culture: Clothing; Headwear; Body Decorations; and Footwear through the Ages
Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders
Governments of the World: A Global Guide to Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities
Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia
Industrial Revolution Reference Library
Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Canadian Provinces
New Dictionary of the History of Ideas
Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z
U*X*L Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances
Statistics Canada – online access to the government of Canada’s central statistical agency, whose mandate is to produce statistics that help Canadians better understand their country—its population, resources, economy, society and culture. In addition to conducting a Census every five years there are about 350 active surveys, on virtually all aspects of Canadian life, that Stats Can uses in the information gathering process.
To get full access to these government databases you will need to be identified as a VSS student, or staff member. If you are at school this will happen automatically, but at home you will need to enter our user-name and password. These are available in the Library.
EBSCOhost databases GreenFILE – a freely accessible research database focusing on the relationship between human beings and the environment, with well-researched but accessible information on topics ranging from global warming to recycling to alternate fuel sources and beyond. Comprised of scholarly and general interest titles, as well as government documents and reports, GreenFILE offers a unique perspective on the positive and negative ways humans affect the ecology.
Digital Newspapers – Now you can read The Vancouver Province, Sun, and 9 other Canadian newspapers anytime, anywhere. They are available to you at home or at work, and are the same editions as the printed copies available at the newsstand. Sections and supplements are laid out just as in the print edition, but complemented by a variety of digital tools which enhance the printed newspaper’s look and feel.
Consumer Reports– Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization supported only by consumers. They buy all of the products that they test, and do not accept advertising or free samples. Subscriptions, to both the printed magazine and the online version, help fund the testing and keep them independent of the product manufacturers.