For KYVU Students 

Welcome to the Kentucky Virtual Library!

We offer you one-stop shopping for your information needs. We are constantly adding resources and improving our Gateway to offer you the best information resources available. Bookmark our Gateway and visit us often!!

Electronic Databases:

Search over 30 indexes, abstract, and fulltext databases. Whether you are a student, K-12 teacher, college/university professor or just doing research for your own needs, there is something here for everyone. Free access from your school or local public library. To have free access from your personal computer go to your library for the current id/password. KYVU students should go to their home institution's library to get current id/password.

The button on the KYVL Gateway looks like:

Databases available through the KYVL Gateway include but are not limited to: Academic Search Elite -- general reference, social sciences, humanities, general sciences, education, library and information science and multi-cultural studies. Applied Science & Technology Abstracts -- engineering, mathematics, physics, computer, and technology Business Source Premier -- general business, management, economics, finance, accounting, international business CINAHL -- nursing, biomedicine, health science librarianship, consumer health and 17 allied health disciplines. PsycINFO -- psychology, sociology, social work, education and other behavioral sciences Read here for descriptions of all 32 databases. NOTE: Use of ID/Passwords is restricted to KYVU students and registered users of Kentucky libraries.

 

Library Catalogs:

Check out this growing collection of online library catalogs from Kentucky libraries. These electronic cards catalogs will tell you which Kentucky libraries own the material you need.

The button on the KYVL Gateway looks like:

Delivery of Library Materials:

Need a book or fulltext article not available on our Gateway? KYVL provides free delivery of library materials to the library nearest you via Ariel and ground courier service. See your local library's Interlibrary Loan Librarian for details. Note: KYVU students should go to their home institution's library for this service.

Online Tutorial:

Learn how to use the Internet to do effective research, improve your information literacy skills, learn how to cite your sources and much more. This self-paced tutorial includes quizzes so you can see how you are doing.

Digitized Special Collections:

When complete, the Kentuckiana Digital Library will provide a searchable database of finding aids for special collections and archives from all over the state of Kentucky and of selected digitized objects in those collections. Check out the demo site, where you can hear former governor "Happy" Chandler singing My Old Kentucky Home.

Virtual Reference Desk:

The best web information resources available are found on our Gateway's Virtual Reference Desk, including almanacs, dictionaries, telephone directories, statistical sources, homework helpers, book reviews and more. The KYVL Gateway provides you with subject -oriented, annotated links to reference websites in all subject areas. Focus is on websites that have been used by our Reference Helpdesk to answer questions, that support KYVU students' needs or the information needs of Kentuckians, or websites of relevance to Kentucky.

Government Information:

Are you looking for Kentucky tax forms? Kentucky statistical information? Reports from Kentucky government agencies? The KYVL Gateway provides you with subject-oriented, annotated links to official Kentucky government websites, and U.S. and International government websites of relevance to Kentucky.

Research Help:

Whether you are researching a topic for class or just looking for information for your own interests, the Virtual Reference Helpdesk wants to help you find what you need. Fill out the I NEED HELP form on our Gateway, call our tollfree number: 1-877-740-4357 or email us: [email protected]. The Helpdesk is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.