Quick Index: This menu is a quick stop to the different Value Line Publications. When patrons are looking for the latest issues and we don’t have them in print, here is where to direct them online. If you don’t know the symbol of the stock, then click the symbol lookup. You may then search for the stock by name. To quickly get to a specific stock profile enter in stock symbol here. If the text on the screen is too small click here!!

To view a specific company I typed GME in the search box at the top. GME brings up the GameStop profile. The visible information is the stock quotes. By clicking on other tabs such as News, further timely information about the company will be displayed. If the user is used to seeing the print version they can click on the PDF Survey Page to see the last listing in print survey issue.

From the Quick Index I choose Standard Edition and Survey Issues. This gives links to the current issue and 12 back issues. The Ratings & Reports will give an alphabetical listing of the companies included in the issues with the choice to view it in PDF or HTML. The other sections of the newsletter are viewed in PDF form. The model portfolios created by Value Line are a great feature to help novices learn how to put together a stock portfolio. There are four different models each containing 20 stocks with different investment objectives.

If users do not want information on a specific stock, but instead want to see what stocks are best and worst in specific areas. This page is accessed on the My Value Line page under the heading Preset Screens.

The Education tab takes users to what I find is the most valuable section of the database. Value Line University takes users through the basics of stocks, funds, and bonds. When clicking on the Subscribers Guides you will get a page with in depth documents on how to use the different Value line products. Some examples

Accessed from the Education tab, this guide gives an example of a page from the Value Line Investment Survey. When users click on each number a box pops up to describe what the information in that section means. For example, when clicking on 1 a box opens to explain what timeliness safety, and technical stand for.

For learners that need more hands on guidance, Value Line has a collection of over 60 education videos. The videos teach about the Small and Mid-Cap Edition, the Daily Options Survey, the Mutual Fund Survey and Convertibles Survey.

Users who choose any of these options off the Quick Index menu will be taken to the page shown above. If users click on the stocks tab they will be taken back to the main Value Line page. Choosing funds, options, or convertibles will give them PDF’s of the print survey. The screener tab gives an advanced search screen. Commentary gives recommendations, news, and updates. If you type the symbol of the fund you are looking for in the Lookup Fund box you will be taken directly to the fund information. If you use the Screener you will see a results screen.

I occasionally encountered what seemed like a glitch in the database. Often when logging on the My Value Line page did not have any options under the Quick Index. If this happens either close out and open in again or click between tabs and it usually makes the menu appear. There are many more facets of Value Line that I haven’t touched on, mainly because I do not have a financial mind. However, the education tab is invaluable for those trying to learn about the financial world and how to really drill down and use all aspects of the database. To start this project I spent an hour in the Value Line University learning all about stocks, bonds, and funds. The resources for learning are outstanding. I highly recommend promoting the education section to patrons and for staff to use to brush up on their knowledge!