1. SIRS Knowledge Source Interface for SIRS Solutions
Online Tutorial sks.sirs.com | proquestk12.com

2. Welcome to SIRS & SKS SIRS Knowledge Source® (SKS)
An online interface that provides integrated access to thousands of full-text articles, documents, websites, and graphics from SIRS’ highly-acclaimed reference solutions.

3. SIRS SKS Research Solutions
SIRS Researcher®
General Reference, Social Issues, Health, Science, Business    
SIRS® Government Reporter
Historic and Government Documents, Directories, Almanacs
SIRS® Renaissance
Current Perspectives on the Arts & Humanities
SIRS® WebSelect
Selected Internet Learning Sites (20,000+)
Link to SIRS® Decades
Primary/Secondary Sources: 20th Century American History
Link to SIRS Discoverer®
Designed with the Younger Researcher in Mind (Grades 3-9)

4. Database Features Current and enduring social issues
SIRS Leading Issues offers easy access to 100 of the most researched issues.
Top Ten user choices are updated monthly.
Develops critical thinking skills through the use of cross references.
Promotes problem solving by covering all issue aspects.

5. Database Features Today’s News
Top national and global headline news stories are dynamically updated delivering late breaking news.
Includes photographs from Reuters News Archives.

6. Database Features Newest Graphics & Articles
In Researcher, click Images above the Search box.
Text links at the top connect to the newest images and articles.
50 most recently added articles and graphics in one easy-to-access location.
Keep abreast of current events and our latest additions.

7. Database Features Focus on Terrorism Top stories updated daily.
Coverage of the historical background, key issues and key figures in the United States, Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, and India-Pakistan.
Multimedia features, including interactive websites, maps, video and audio clips plus primary source documents.

8. Database Features Curriculum Pathfinders
Covers all the subjects students and teachers need to build 21st Century Skills.
Great place to start for homework help in math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, and health.

9. Database Features Editor’s Top Picks
Articles, images, websites are regularly selected by our SIRS research team.
40+ professionals with diverse educational backgrounds.
Some featured as an Editor’s Top Pick at SIRS Discoverer, SIRS Government Reporter, SIRS Renaissance, and SIRS WebSelect.

10. Database Features Curriculum Pathfinders
Websites and articles are selected and grouped by course subject.
Alongside research ideas for teaching across the curriculum.
Perfect for educator and student use.
Found in the Database Features tab.

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Database Features
Spotlights & Spotlight Quiz
Fresh monthly Spotlight and Spotlight Quiz.
Timely articles, subject headings, keywords, and topic browse paths link directly to coverage of monthly themes.
Found in the Database Features tab and linked to SKS home page.
Get via Teachable Moments proquestk12.com

12. SIRS Knowledge Source Solutions
SIRS Researcher
Contains thousands of full-text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political, and global issues.
Articles and graphics are selected from 1,600+ domestic and international sources.

13. Search Capabilities
Focused search options provide easy access to the materials students need.
Subject Headings search provides targeted results, hand-selected and indexed to Library of Congress terms.

14. ‘Top 10’ based on actual usage.
SIRS Leading Issues
‘Top 10’ based on actual usage.
Nearly 100 issues continuously updated from a selection of 1,600+ sources.
Supports common assignments from current events research to position papers and debates.

15. SIRS Leading Issues: Overview
Concise overview helps students understand the issue.
Results represent the full “360 degrees” of the issue, including primary sources, viewpoint articles, graphics, websites, more.
Suggested keywords and ‘See’ references guide deeper research.

16. PDF Research Guide offers a ready-made study packet for the issue.
SIRS Leading Issues: Pro/Con
PDF Research Guide offers a ready-made study packet for the issue.
Pro and Con arguments are defined with links to resources on each side, providing a balanced approach.
Viewpoints tab expands upon the highlighted articles to reference additional documents from other sources.

17. SIRS Leading Issues: MyAnalysis
Aligns to Information Literacy standards.
Research prompts help students develop critical thinking skills.
Downloadable Guides suggest output formats to help students synthesize the information.

18. SIRS Researcher Maps of the World
500+ detailed, printable maps are available as an online reference almanac.
Maps include each of the 50 United States, the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as nations and regions of the world.
Also includes U.S. Historical, World Historical, Outline Maps.

19. SIRS Researcher World Almanac Excerpts
Contains information from The World Almanac and Book of Facts.
View articles about world history, profiles of all the nations of the world.
Important facts describing major international organizations, all 50 states, and outlying U.S. areas.

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SIRS Researcher
Spotlights & Spotlight Quiz
Fresh monthly Spotlight and Spotlight Quiz.
Timely articles, subject headings, keywords, and topic browse paths link directly to coverage of monthly themes.
Found under Database Features and linked to Researcher home page.
Get via Teachable Moments proquestk12.com

21. SIRS Researcher
My Research allows users to tag selections and store search history for 30 days.
Makes it easy to continue research at school or at home. yourself full-text articles, graphics, or create a bibliography from saved items.

22. SIRS Researcher Additional Content
That’s Debatable Interactive Poll engages students in the debate and vests them in the research process.
Current Events coverage with Today’s News from Reuters, Focus on Terrorism, and Natural Disasters.

23. SIRS Researcher Additional Content
Curriculum Planning features, like Spotlight on… provide pathfinders and suggested research topics.
Common Class Assignments are supported with Curriculum Pathfinders, World Almanac, and Maps.

24. Additional support materials and usage boosters @ proquestk12.com
SIRS Researcher
Supports Curriculum
Search or sort by Lexile.
Search content by state, national, or Canadian curriculum standards.
Educators’ Resources include: Educator Guides, Search Strategies, Newsletters, and more.
Additional support materials and usage proquestk12.com

25. SIRS Knowledge Source Solutions
SIRS Government Reporter
Delivers thousands of full-text documents and graphics concerning a wide variety of topics: health, science, economics, environment, politics, foreign affairs, plus business and industry.

26. SIRS Government Reporter
Country Profiles
Profiles of 200 countries from the U.S. State Department include information about the people, history, government, economy and geography of each country.
Maps of each country are available in a printable format.

27. SIRS Government Reporter
Federal Agencies
The Federal Agency Directory supplies useful background and contact information for hundreds of U.S. Government departments, agencies and commissions.
Links to documents pertaining to each agency are offered.
Documents are sorted by department.

28. SIRS Government Reporter
Historic Documents
Our Historic Documents collection provides more than two hundred full-text documents.
Treaties and speeches with exceptional historic value.

29. SIRS Government Reporter
National Archives Documents
Highly visual primary sources from the National Archives and Records Administration to illustrate social, political and cultural themes in U.S. history.
Annotated bibliographies, time lines, glossaries, biographies enhance each unit.

30. SIRS Government Reporter
U.S. Congress
The U.S. Congressional Members Directory provides data on members of the Senate and House of Representatives, detailing professional background, telephone and contact information, plus committee assignments.
Lists members of each committee.

31. SIRS Government Reporter
U.S. Presidents
The U.S. Presidents Directory offers biographical information and a portrait of each U.S. president.
Information about presidential libraries, burial places, and families.

32. SIRS Government Reporter
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court Cases provides hundreds of full-text case documents dating back to the inception of the Court. Cases are selected for their constitutional or social value.
U.S. Supreme Court Justices directory lists appointment, term, and background information for all justices.

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SIRS Government Reporter
Spotlights & Spotlight Quiz
Fresh monthly Spotlight and Spotlight Quiz.
Timely articles, subject headings, keywords, and topic browse paths link directly to coverage of monthly themes.
Found in Database Features tab and linked to Government Reporter home page.
Get via Teachable Moments proquestk12.com

34. SIRS Knowledge Source Solutions
SIRS Renaissance
'Current Perspectives on the Arts & Humanities' provides current, dynamic information on Architecture & Design, Culture, Literature, Multimedia, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy & Religion and Visual Arts.

35. SIRS Renaissance Literary Corner
A guide to the curricular study of prominent authors in major literary periods and regions.
Links to hundreds of online E-Books, literary criticism, Glossary of Critical Terms, plus The New Lifetime Reading Plan.

36. SIRS Renaissance Award Recipients
Lists major award winners in all eight Renaissance categories:
Pulitzer Prizes in Literature
Bollingen Prizes in Poetry
Pritzker Architecture Prize
National Medal of the Arts
Academy Awards
MacArthur Fellowships

37. SIRS Renaissance Notable People
Contains profiles of notable people in Architecture & Design, Literature, Music, Multimedia, Performing Arts, Philosophy, Religion and Visual Arts.

38. SIRS Renaissance Glossary of the Arts
Extensive explanations of terminology, symbols, ideas and people associated with the arts and humanities.
More than 11,000 definitions from The Hutchinson Dictionary of the Arts & Encyclopedia of Music, and more.
Related Article links expand on the information presented.

39. SIRS Renaissance Recommended References
Provides suggestions for arts and humanities readings beyond the Renaissance database.
Each recommendation includes a brief description of the book, along with author and publisher information.

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SIRS Renaissance
Spotlights & Spotlight Quiz
Fresh monthly Spotlight and Spotlight Quiz.
Timely articles, subject headings, keywords, and topic browse paths link directly to coverage of monthly themes.
Found in Database Features tab and linked to Renaissance home page.
Get via Teachable Moments proquestk12.com

41. SIRS Knowledge Source Solutions
SIRS WebSelect
Provides access to quality websites on 17 topics and dozens of sub-topics.
Utilizing time-tested techniques, SIRS editors evaluate websites originating from around the globe for credibility and relevance to researchers' needs.

42. SIRS WebSelect WebSelect sites are relevant, credible, reliable
Hand-selected by subject specialists for the best content.
Retrieve the latest information on ever-changing fields.

43. SIRS WebSelect WebSelect sites are relevant, credible, reliable
Access primary source information and high-impact graphical content, including Historic Documents, E-Books, and Maps.
Dynamically updated and rigorously tested for content changes and high-availability.

44. Get via Teachable Moments email newsletter @ proquestk12.com
SIRS WebSelect
Spotlights & Spotlight Quiz
Fresh monthly Spotlight and Spotlight Quiz.
Timely articles, subject headings, keywords, and topic browse paths link directly to coverage of monthly themes.
Found in Database Features tab and linked to WebSelect home page.
Get via Teachable Moments proquestk12.com

45. SIRS SKS Search Paths Four Search Methods 1. SKS Portal Interface
Users can query their full collection of SIRS solutions via a single search box.
Click a single solution to mine specific resources.
View Database Features and special content.

46. Quick Search Search Methods 2. Quick Search
Users can locate articles, documents and Internet sites by searching subject headings or using their own combination of keywords and phrases.
Sort results by relevance or date, plus Lexile range.

47. Quick Search Search Methods 2. Quick Search
Search full-text articles and Internet site keywords via the Keyword/Natural Language option.
Click Browse Subject Headings to quickly locate articles and sites related to a subject.

48. Quick Search Search Methods 2. Quick Search
Boolean Operators AND, OR, NOT
Truncation farm* -> farmers, farming
Phrase Searching “affirmative action”
Natural Language Is there life on other planets?
Article Sorting Relevance Date Lexile

49. Advanced Search Search Methods 3. Advanced Search
Users can search multiple fields including full-text, author, and title.
In addition, proximity and graphic title searching are available.
Can select which SIRS solutions to query.

50. Advanced Search Search Methods 3. Advanced Search
Advanced Boolean Searching with additional search fields available:
Title
Author
Proximity Search
Graphic Title (Captions) Search
Lexiles

51. Topic Browse Search Methods 4. Topic Browse
Users can locate resources by exploring categories, topics and sub-topics via a multi-level subject tree.
Explore General Reference, Government and Arts & Humanities Categories by browsing a list of articles and sites.

52. Search Results SIRS Results List SIRS results contain: Full-Text Title
Source
Summary
Descriptors
Graphics
Publisher
Date
Size
Database

53. Search Results 100% Full-Text Content
Tag, , or bookmark articles and associated graphics.
Thumbnail images expand upon the text and link to full-size graphics.
Related Articles at bottom.

54. Search Results Source & Summary
Source information is formatted for ease in creating citations.
Summaries are written by SIRS’ staff and provide brief descriptions of articles and sites.
Aid in the selection process.
Source & Summary information can be sent via .

55. Search Results Graphics Graphics accompany many full-text articles.
A camera icon signifies that there are one or more graphics available.
Large graphics are also offered in PDF format for printing.
Graphics can be sent via .

56. SIRS Knowledge Source Features
Functional Aids
Clean Copy for Printing
Tagged List
Create/Print Bibliography
Librarian’s Corner
Search History
Session Save
Bookmarking
Dictionary & Thesaurus
Help Topics
Additional Resources

57. Functional Aids
Users may send full-text articles, websites, source information, summaries, graphics, and citation guidelines to any address, at home, school, work, etc.

58. Functional Aids Clean Copy for Printing
Clean Copy removes keyword markers and formats the text for printing.
The date the article was accessed is embedded for use in citations.
A print button provides access to the print dialogue box of your browser.

59. Functional Aids Tagged List
Tag articles and websites during research to compile a running list of articles, sites, summaries and graphics.
Users can , print or link to any tagged item, or create a bibliography of sources.

60. Functional Aids Bibliography
Create a bibliography of full-text article and websites from the Tagged List.
Include citation guidelines from MLA and APA.
Click checkboxes next to content, then Create Bibliography.
Print, , or save the list for future reference.

61. Functional Aids Search History
Provides a quick list of links to the previous searches performed during a session.
When used with Session Save, the number of results returned provide an indicator of any additional items matching your search terms since your last search.

62. Functional Aids Session Save
Save and retrieve tagged items and previous searches, compiling research over time.
By entering a unique user name and password, sessions can be saved and retrieved for up to 30 days.

63. Functional Aids Dictionary/Thesaurus
Merriam-Webster‘s Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus are available to assist users in defining words, checking spelling, choosing the perfect word and more.

64. Functional Aids Help Topics
Toolbox: Provides a single point of access to all of the reference materials available to SKS users.
Includes the help, search tips, and other reference materials.
Help: View the context-sensitive help index for full-featured help, including tips on Kiosk Navigation and System Admin. Options.

65. Functional Aids Help Topics
Search Tips: Print out this handy reference sheet to refer to while performing searches.
Cite: View details and examples of how to cite articles and documents retrieved from SIRS Knowledge Source.

66. Functional Aids Educators’ Resources
Includes a collection of materials designed to help librarians and library patrons.
Access anywhere in SKS from a link provided in the header and footer of every page.

67. Functional Aids Educators’ Resources Podcasts What's New
Newsletters
Reference Toolbox
Source Lists
Directory of Publications
Library Promotional Materials
System Administrator Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Free online training
More

68. SIRS Source Lists & More
@ proquestk12.com
Download the latest source lists.
Researcher, Discoverer, Renaissance, Decades
Additional background information, training materials, posters, custom flyers, videos.

69. SIRS Solutions Questions. Call our ProQuest representatives at 1. 800