How to Access the Gale Virtual Reference Library
(e-Encyclopedias) at AST
The Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) includes online versions of multi-volume
encyclopedias, handbooks, and specialized reference sources, which include full-text
entries related to topics within a variety of subject areas.
1. From the AST Library homepage:
Click on “e-Encyclopedias” under Articles & Journals from the FIND menu on
the left side of the page.
Click on e-Encyclopedias
2. Next choose the appropriate On-Campus/Off-Campus access you require.
*If you’re Off-Campus you will need to login with your AST Student ID barcode
and PIN (the last four digits of your home phone number).
3. This will take you to the Gale Virtual Reference library Basic Search Page. A
Basic Search searches ALL of the e-Encyclopedias available.
4. You can put in your search terms here and search the entire collection of
encyclopedias, or you can select specific encyclopedias from the menu below the
search box.
5. Pick the subject area you would like to explore from the subject list provided and
expand the menu to view a list of subject specific e-Encyclopedias
Expand the subject area of
your choice by clicking the +
sign beside each subject.
You can pick a
specific
encyclopedia by
clicking on your
chosen title.
6. Click on the title you wish to search and this will bring you to the main search
page with complete bibliographic information for this title.
You have the option for both a Basic and Advanced Search.
If you would like to search within only the one publication you have picked, you
have the option of a Basic Search from this page. See Below.
Basic or Advanced
Search options.
You may do a basic
search within this
publication from here.
When you chose Advanced Search (shown in the diagram below), the screen that
comes up provides you with a variety of fields and options to limit your search.
However, you are searching ALL of the Gale Virtual Reference Library, not the
specific publication you have selected. You may limit your search from this
advanced search screen to the publication of your choice by limiting your
results to a specific publication title.
Browse to find your
title of choice or
simply cut and paste
the title into the box,
and add the other
fields of information
for your search.
If you have any questions related to the Gale Virtual Reference Library, or need
instruction on how to use the resources, please contact the Circulation Desk.
Phone: 902-423-7986
Email: [email protected]