Help FAQ: Answers!
Library Website
What is the Libraries website and what's in it?It is a library-created system unique to Washington University in St. Louis, which coordinates and integrates selected information resources useful for teaching and research. It includes:
- links to the Library Catalog, which includes the Law Library
- links to the catalog of the Medical Library
- the catalogs of many other U.S. and foreign libraries
- databases to which the Libraries subscribe for the WU community, including indexes to journal articles, plus some free databases
- lists of subject-specific resources chosen by WU Libraries staff
- many full-text resources, such as Britannica Online, JSTOR, and Project Muse
- many general interest Internet resources
- information on the hours, policies, collections and services of the WU campus libraries.
The Libraries' website contains a wide variety of electronic resources, but it isn't comprehensive, nor does it provide automatic access to every resource on the Internet. The resources that are in the website have been placed there by WU Libraries staff to assist with the research and educational endeavors of the WU community. Many of the resources are also available to the general public.
(Return to Help)What is the difference between this website and the World Wide Web?
This website was created by the Libraries at Washington University to organize Internet resources for the WU community. The World Wide Web is that portion of the Internet which is available via web browsers such as Firefox or Internet Explorer, and includes MANY more resources than what the Library staff have placed in this website.
To use online journal indexes and similar resources to which the Libraries have subscribed for WU students, faculty, and staff, look in the website. Choose either Subject Guides or Find it! Articles, Databases, Full-Text.
To find more resources on the Internet, use a World Wide Web search engine, such as Google or Yahoo. You can find these search engines by using the Other Search Options option at the top of each page in the website.
Still confused? Please ask at the Help Desk in Olin Library for further information, or contact your Subject Librarian.
(Return to Help)How do I find something I know is in the website but I don't know where?
Use the Search box in the header of any page within the website to search for resources in the Libraries website. Click on the Other Search Options link for more options, such as Google.
(Return to Help)I want to search Google or Yahoo. Are they in the website?
Yes. Choose the Other Search Options link on the header of any page within the website. On the Search screen, scroll down to the bottom of the page. Direct links to several Internet search engines -- Google, Google Scholar, and Yahoo -- are provided; choose Additional search engines to see more options.
(Return to Help)How can I get back to the Libraries homepage?
Click on 'Washington University Libraries' logo on the top-left of every page in the website.
(Return to Help)How do I make a comment or suggestion about the Libraries website?
You can send your questions, comments and suggestions by email or by using an online form. The email address is: library.webmaster@wumail.wustl.edu. To submit a suggestion online, use this link: Comments & Suggestions. This page will provide you with a form to send your suggestion; select 'Library website" as the subject of your message if your comment is about the website.
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