| Library Home | Library Catalog | Articles & Databases | E-Resources | Contact Us | Site Index |

First Search at WSC  

What is First Search?

OCLC’s First Search is an interactive online information system that gives you timely information about books, journal articles, films, and other material in a variety of subject areas. The Worcester State subscription provides access to 27 databases which complement the Library’s collection of print and other online indexes. There are links to library collections worldwide as well as indexing and abstracting of articles from popular and scholarly journals. First Search offers seamless electronic access to more than 10 million full-text and full-image articles.

Who Can Search It?

Students and faculty have access to First Search by using the computer next to the Reference Desk in the Library only - there is no longer remote access available. If you cannot find appropriate print indexes within the WSC Library, or subject specific databases on our Library website, then a librarian can assist you in using First Search. There is no fee for using this service, but search costs can add up quickly and deplete our allotment for other users. So, if you have never used the service before, we ask that you receive some brief instruction first. Again, there is no fee for using this service if you are a WSC faculty member or student currently enrolled in classes at Worcester State College.

Getting the Best Search

Whether you use First Search on your own or with a reference librarian’s assistance, you can start by doing a little homework! Try OCLC's First Search  Using a Practice Database – this free practice set has subsets of World Cat (6,000 records), GPO Monthly Catalog (4,900 records) and Article First (5,000 records). This way, you can map out what you need matched with what search terms and databases are available. Time spent in preparing a good plan will help you make the most efficient use of your online time connected to the service.

[Top]

Please note that databases via the First Search Service can only be accessed from the library computer next to the Reference Desk

• ABI INFORM
• AHSearch - (1980+) Arts and Humanities Citation Index
• AltPress Index (1991+) and AltPress Index Archive (1969-1990) covering cultural, economic, political & social change
• ArticleFirst - (1990+) OCLC index of articles from the contents pages of journals
• BusDateline - (1985+) Regional information vital to businesses
• BusIndustry - (1994+) Business and industry facts, figures, and key events
• BusManagement - (1995+) Practical aspects and approaches to business management
• BusinessOrgs - (current year) Organizations that serve business and industry
• ClasePeriodica - (1978+) Index of Latin American journals in the sciences and humanities
• CWI - (1992+) Contemporary Women's Issues (health and human rights)
• Disclosure - (1986+) Directory information on companies publicly traded on U.S. exchanges
• Dissertations - (1980+) Dissertations and theses from institutions in North America and Europe
• ECO - (1995+) An OCLC collection of scholarly journals
• EconLit - (1969+) Journals, books, and working papers in economics
• GEOBASE - (1980+) Worldwide literature on geography, geology, and ecology
• GPO - (1976+) U.S. government publications. See our web page on free access to current government publications
• NewsAbs - (1989+) Significant items from over 50 U.S. national and regional newspapers. See our web page on researching current and retrospective issues of national newspapers 
• PAIS Archives - (1915-1976) Retrospective database chronicling global public policy and social issues. To search this database for the years 1972 to the present, use our subscription to PAIS through the vendor CSA Illumina
• PapersFirst - (1993+) OCLC index of papers presented at conferences worldwide
• PerAbs - (1987+) Periodical abstracts from general and academic journals
• Proceedings - (1993+) an OCLC index of worldwide conference proceedings
• SIRSResearcher - (1988+) Social, scientific, economic and political issues worldwide. Includes abstracts from 1994+
• WilsonSelectPlus - (1994+) Citations for articles in science, humanities, education and business
• Worldscope - Basic financial information on public companies worldwide; full text for more than 32,000 records

[Top]