LESSON 5 - PROQUEST

First off I love ProQuest.  This is the database I use and recommend the most because not only does it have scholarly journals, it has popular casual publications like "Better Homes & Gardens", "Parenting", "Vogue", etc. I have used this to print out my dad's favorite pumpkin pie recipe that I found in "Better Homes & Gardens" but accidentally threw out and also articles from "Parenting" so I didn't have to have more magazines cluttering up my house. I also love the PDF version of articles because sometimes it is really nice to have the pictures. But enough gushing and onto the actual questions.

Question 1
I did a search on roofing because we need to replace our roof and I don't know anything about the process. Figured a little research would help keep me from being taken to the cleaners by the contractors.  Roofing was too general of a search but the beautiful thing about ProQuest is that it makes it really easy to get what you want.  After you type your search, in addition to having check boxes for full text and peer reviewed articles, it also offers related searches. Why, yes, roofing AND building materials sounds more like what I was after.  On the right hand side of the page it offers many other ways to narrow your search.  Don't want to wait for a page to load?  Click preview to see if that article is something you are interested in.  Super easy.

Question 1a.  
Went out and looked at some of the other blogs.  It is very interesting to see everyone else's thoughts on the databases.

Question 2
Public libraries only brought up 2 hits, but when I clicked on the suggested subject of "Library And Information Sciences" it shows 112 related publications.  It was very easy to browse through the list and pick a publication to look at.  I was able to view a PDF version of the most recent issue of "The Horn Book Guide to Children's and Young Adult Books".  I liked the article I viewed and was able to email to myself for future reference.  Thank you, ProQuest!