The University of Illinois Library is very large, and we subscribe to hundreds of different article databases that you can use in your research. Sometimes, this can be a little overwhelming. Below are several strategies you can use for finding databases to search for articles in your discipline.

1. Use the Easy Search box at the Library Homepage.
2. Visit your departmental library's homepage and use their recommended databases.
3. Use the "Database Search" or "Journal Search" tabs on the library catalog to search for a specific database or electronic journal.
4. View a list of databases by subject.

1. On the Library homepage, enter your search into the Easy Search box. In this example we'll search for "Mughal architecture." If you want, you can switch which sources Easy Search searches using the tabs at the top of the search bar. You can also use the advanced search to choose which resources to search.

2. The left side of the results page lists articles found in EBSCO databases. Below that are articles found through Scopus. In the middle column, under Library Catalog, are books and other materials owned by the Library. On the right side are subject suggestions, as well as contact information for the library that specializes in the subject you searched for. Sometimes the Suggestions box at the top of the results page will link to a Library Guide that includes the terms you searched for. Library guides list useful resources and ways to search.

The University of Illinois library system has about 25 departmental libraries that serve different academic units and hold unique collections. Each library has its own web page that serves as an access point for recommended resources for a given discipline.

To find a departmental library that serves your department or major, you can view a list of libraries by college and major or take a look at an alphabetical list of all libraries on campus.

For example, the Social Sciences, Health and Education Library has links to recommended resources and databases for the disciplines and majors that it serves. Every departmental library has similar recommendations listed on its homepage.

1. Locate the departmental libraries that serves your college major, and write down three databases that they recommend.
2. Using the Journal Search tool in the catalog, locate the journal called American Fern Journal. What years do we have access to this journal? What company/companies proves full-text access? (hint: look for where it says "Full text available via...".

The Library's A-Z Databases list has every database the library owns. If you choose a subject from the dropdown menu it will show you the most relevant databases in your area, as well as "Best Bets," or suggested databases to start with.