Using the Databases
Statewide database subscriptions changed on August 1, 2012. For a full listing of the current subscriptions, please see this page.
Jump to a specific database:
Mango Languages - Encyclopedia Britannica - EBSCO Resources
LearningExpress - ProQuest Nursing - Heritage Quest - Gale Resources
Have questions about using a specific database or the databases in general? Email us: kslc@library.ks.gov.
General Database Access
Most Kansas residents will be able to access the databases directly from the State Library's Explore Our Resources page. The links on this page should recognize your IP address as being inside Kansas and allow you access without the need to log in.
If you cannot access the databases from Explore Our Resources, (common for people living near the state border, or if the internet service provider is based outside of the state, like with many satellite internet customers), you can access the databases through the Kansas Library Card portal at: http://www.kslc.org. Inquire at your local school or public library for a Kansas Library Card.
Mango Languages
Visit Mango's Video Tutorial & FAQ page. The tutorial video shows how to progress through a lesson. Some FAQs may not apply to Kansas users, as we have statewide access instead of single-library provided access.
When you access Mango via the State Library website or Kansas Library Card portal, you will first be presented with this screen.
Use Start Learning to select a language and use the site anonymously. Your progress in lessons will not be saved by the system.
Create a Profile to sign up for an account. After you have set up your account (Mango will send you a confirmation email) your place will be saved as you progress through the learning of a language. Every time you return to Mango, be sure to Log In to pick up where you left off.
Over 40 language programs (and English for Speakers of Other Languages) are available on Mango. Most languages have a Basic (simple conversational instruction) and a Complete (advanced study) course level available.
Mango Mobile Access
Mango has an Android and Apple mobile app! Here is how to set this up:
- Access Mango through the State Library's Explore Our Resources page or the Kansas Library Card.
- Create a profile on the website (see above for a screenshot of what this looks like).
- Download the app at the Mango Mobile page.
- Sign in with the account information you just created!
If you have previously used Mango Mobile through a local public library's account, we are looking into how the addition of the Statewide subscription will affect your access.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Kansas residents have access to 3 versions of Encyclopedia Britannica (school, public, academic). All three access the same types of materials (topic articles, ebooks, images, maps, video, etc). Each version is only customized for the needs of a particular group. For example, language and reading level will be much different on the School editions than the Public and Academic (for adults). Select the appropriate version, then search for your topic or browse videos, images, and more.
EBSCO Products
The majority of our listings are EBSCO databases. They can be divided into 2 different types: standard research format (quick search box interface) and information portal format (search available, but ability to browse and discover, information organized for you). Here is a bit about using the two formats with some examples.
Standard EBSCO Host Research Databases--like MasterFile, Academic Search, Legal Collection, Agricola
These have a clean interface with a simple search in the middle. You can use this or try advanced search, where you can limit results to full-text, peer-reviewed, etc. You can also search multiple research databases at a time by clicking the "Choose Databases" link and making selections. After getting a list of results, remember to look on the left side of your page. EBSCO provides ways to further narrow your results by subject, date, and more.
If you would like to save the information you find for later you can create a personal account with EBSCO that will allow you to save items to a folder, create email alerts and share the information you have located with others. Each page of search results in EBSCO will display a sign in link at the top right side of the page. Clicking on this link will take you to a page where you can either sign in or create an account.
Once you have created your personal account you can set email alerts to notify you about a particular search or journal that you are interested in, or save documents to an online folder for later viewing, printing or sharing with others. If you would like additional help using these functions there are powerpoint presentations available on the EBSCO support page.
Information Portals--Like Consumer Health, AutoRepair, NoveList, Student Reference Center
These databases, while usually providing a search, are configured more for browsing than the regular research databases. EBSCO has selected topics for you to click on. These also will have their own logos and look. Two examples:
AutoRepair Reference Center -- select your car to continue through the information.
Consumer Health Complete -- Homepage broken up into sections, depending on what you might want to do. Browse topics, ebooks, conditions.
EBSCO Mobile Access
1. Go into any standard EBSCO research database, like MasterFile Premier. Scroll down to the footer of the databases's page to find the link for the mobile access request.
2. A box will pop up--input the email address that you use on the mobile device.
3. EBSCO will send you an email. This email will provide instructions on downloading the app, and contain an activation key that you will use after downloading the app. Follow all instructions! You should not need to activate your app again.
LearningExpress Library
Registration
Registration is required on LearningExpress. It saves your place in tests and lessons. Just click the "registration" button the first time you visit. You have two options for registration:
- Kansas Library Card
- Username: your Kansas Library Card number.
- Password: your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format.
- Zip + Phone Method
- Username: your 5 digit zip code + 7 digit phone number, no spaces, dashes. Example: if you lived in Topeka (zip code 66612), and your phone number was 785-123-4567, you would input 666121234567. The area code on the phone number is dropped.
- Password: your choice. Must be at least 6 characters long.
Returning users--log in with the username/password you registered with.
Using Tests/Lessons/eBooks
When you have found the material you want to use, click the yellow "Add to My Center" button.
This will bring you to a confirmation page, where you can start the lesson immediately.
To resume previous tests, books, or lessons, look for "My Center" in the upper right side of the page after logging in (circled in yellow in the image below). This will save your progress in all materials.
ProQuest Nursing
Through the ProQuest database you can access journals, videos and more related to the fields of nursing and allied health. The ProQuest Nursing database has both basic and advanced search capabilites as well as subject and publication browsing. You may save your searches for later use by creating a "My Research" account. To create an account you would click on the "Preferences" tab and then click on "Create My Research account", complete the required information and click on the "Create Account" button. Once you have created an account you can access it by clicking either the "Preferences" or "My Research" buttons.
Heritage Quest
This genealogy resource provides access to census records, local histories, revolutionary war records and more. There is a video tutorial section included to help users learn how to conduct searches effectively as well as a notebook section to save search results for later use. These options are clickable links which are displayed at the top of the main page of the database.
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Gale Resources
We currently have subscriptions for the Gale Genealogy Connect and Kansas History, Territorial through Civil War Years, 1854-1865 databases.
Genealogy Connect -- contains research and reference materials related to Genealogy in searchable PDF format.There is a subject browse feature as well as basic and advanced searching. The interface also contains a built in Help Guide to assist you find relevant materials.
Kansas History, Territorial through Civil War Years, 1854-1865 -- unique historical collection that includes personal narratives, political speeches, songs and children's books. There is a basic and advanced search capability as well as the option to browse by subject, author or book title.
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