Database: Credo Reference
Let’s take a look at the Credo Reference database that offers access to over 1 million full-text information entries in 100 reference books on current and retrospective topics. Credo Reference can be used to access biographies, dictionaries, encyclopedias, quotations, bilingual dictionaries, a crossword solver, and measurement conversions. The database can be accessed in-branch or remotely through the Toronto Public Library website with a valid library card.
One has different ways with which to access content. Clicking on the link “Find Topic Pages” provides two ways to proceed: browsing categories or topic pages by subject areas, or finding topics alphabetically through an A-Z list. One can also use the keyword search box with the option to do an image search (similar to an image search with a search engine such as Ask.com), and to do a concept map search on a topic, for example global warming. (Please see below.)
The concept map shows the connections between search results in a visual, interactive and simple format. It allows users to find information fast when they are not sure what to look for, when they require topic ideas for papers or research projects, or want to increase their knowledge of a given subject. To view a short video on using the concept map, please click here. The database user has the options of zooming in/out to/from the map, rotating the map, and/or changing the link levels between concepts from simple to medium (default setting) to complex.
The user also has the options of “Find a Book”, the advanced search page (which is similar to an advanced search on a search engine such as Google), and the use of the “Gadgets” menu.
Next time you are researching a topic, why not give Credo Reference a try?
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