BCCLS BERGEN COUNTY COOPERATIVE LIBRARY SYSTEM

OBJECTIVES  To introduce the BCCLS system as source of research information.  To explain how to use the BCCLS system.  To demonstrate how to use the system. Information provided by the Bergen County Cooperative Library System pamphlet found in cooperative public libraries.

What is BCCLS? Seventy-two libraries subscribe to this system. Through BCCLS you can access all libraries with the click of a mouse and your library card. Log onto and conduct a search on any subject. The BCCLS home page works in the same way the HS library’s OPAC system only it is more extensive in its collection.

Why should I use BCCLS?  It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.  Free access to thousands of magazines, journals, and newspapers.  Books can be borrowed on an interlibrary loan from any of the 72 libraries from any computer.  Our library may not have what you need.  Research is NOT limited to only books.

What information can I find? EBSCO, INFOTRAC, AND ProQUEST are databases that help you find articles in newspapers, magazines, and references books. You can look up articles on business, social issues, health, current events, literature, science and technology. Informe, Facts on File, and Country watch are additional databases available.

How do I search? Each database uses different search methods. All allow you to search for keywords (broad search) or specific (narrower search). EBSCO, INFOTRAC, and ProQuest vary in content. You may want to consider doing research in all three databases. Check the “full text” box to find complete articles. To get the best results quickly, take a few minutes to read each database’s HELP section.

Which database should I use? Click on “More about…” for a description of the content of each database. Start here for most searches: EBSCO: MasterFILE Premier (includes Consumer Reports) I NFOTRAC: General Reference Center ProQuest: Newspapers, Research Library

HEALTH EBSCO: Health Source-Consumer Edition Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition Clinical Pharmacology INFOTRAC: Health and Wellness Resource Center Health Reference Center Academic

BUSINESS EBSCO: Business Source Elite Regional Business News INFOTRAC: General Business File ASAP Business and Company Resource Center

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES EBSCO: Newspaper Source INFOTRAC: Custom Newspapers (includes The Record and The Star-Ledger) ProQuest: National Newspapers The Historical New York Times

STUDENT/HOMEWORK SOURCES EBSCO: TOPICserach Middle Search Plus Primary Search Searchasaurus Facts on File: Reference Database Center

BIOGRAPHIES EBSCO: MasterFILE Premier INFOTRAC: Biography Reference Center

LITERATURE EBSCO: Novelist- for fiction suggestions INFOTRAC:Literature Resource Center Contemporary Authors Contemporary Literary Criticism

HISTORY EBSCO: MasterFILE Premier ProQuest: New York Times Select “News-The Historical New York Times” in the drop-down database menu Facts on File: History Database Center

SCHOLARLY JOURNAL ARTICLES ProQuest: Research Library

GEOGRAPHY, POLITICS, ECONOMEY Country Watch Facts on File: World Atlas Curriculum Resource Center

EDUCATION Ebsco: ERIC ProQuest: Research Library Facts on File: Curriculum Resource Center

SCIENCE EBSCO: EBSCO Animals TOPICsearch Facts on File: Science Online

SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTICLES Informe’

How do I access BCCLS? Log onto the Internet. On the web address line, type Or go to and click on “Magazine, Newspapers and more.” If asked for a password or barcode, enter your 14 digit library card number.

Thank you for your attention. Now let’s try accessing BCCLS for some hands-on experience.