As more online resources are published on the Internet, the State Library is working with the NHAIS Board to bring some of them to your library. Our first pilot project began last January with the introduction of four databases from EBSCOhost. Staff of NHAIS member libraries all have free, unlimited access to Masterfile FullTEXT 1500, Business Source Elite, Health Source Plus, and Newspaper Source. In addition, your library may purchase patron access which allows access either in the library or from a remote location. The State Library provided more than 15 workshops to help librarians use these databases.

Starting September 1, a 9-month project to provide access to Gale's Contemporary Authors and Biography and Genealogy Master File Index from Gale begins. Where the first pilot project centered around full-text periodical databases, this one provides access to specific reference resources. Contemporary Authors provides both biographic and bibliographic information on more than 90,000 current authors from the United States and internationally. Biography and Genealogy Master File Index is an index to locate information about both contemporary and historical figures. Access to both databases is through the World Wide Web. The contract allows 5 simultaneous users per database and access is for both staff and patrons of your library.

Finally, the State Library will be providing online access to Library Literature later this fall. While the State Library's library science collection is comprehensive, access is limited due to lack of indexing in libraries. The professional journals in our collection contain information on technology, budget, space planning, programming, and more. Library Literature can help you find it. The articles can then be requested from the State Library via Interlibrary Loan.

More than 200 libraries have registered to access EBSCOhost and registration has just begun for the Gale products. If your library hasn't registered yet, do so today. If you need registration materials or just have questions, please call Theresa Par‚ or Diana Degen at the State Library (271-2143) for more information. Workshops on these databases are scheduled for the fall. Look for dates and times in the upcoming calendar. Contact us if you want to schedule a workshop for your library staff, co-op, or other group.