Trinity University Library 101

Library Databases

To find good sources, you first need to find a collection of sources—called a database.

• A database is a collection of articles, journals, videos, or other materials.
• You’re not searching topics yet—you’re picking the right tool to search within.

Check out the Database A–Z list to see all the different types of databases.

eBooks

Need an online book? You can search for eBooks right in the library catalog—no extra logins, apps, or confusion.

Watch this quick video (no sound) to see how to search for eBooks at Coates Library.

Scholarly Articles

Scholarly articles are written by experts for other experts and include full citations.

In dedicated academic platforms (e.g., JSTOR, Project MUSE, SCOPUS), content is primarily scholarly—so you often won’t see a “Peer-Reviewed” checkbox (note: some items like book reviews/editorials aren’t peer reviewed). In mixed platforms (EBSCO, ProQuest, Gale), use the Peer-Reviewed filter to exclude popular magazines and news.

OneSearch (start here)

OneSearch scans books, eBooks, articles, media, and more in one place. Start here to see what exists, then use filters (Full Text, Peer-reviewed, date, subject) to narrow.
Tip: Sign in to see more results, save items, and request materials.

Open OneSearch