Yes. All of the Library's online databases can be accessed from off campus. When you access them from off campus, you will taken to a login page that prompts you to enter a username and password. Use the same username and password you use to access your Wheelock e-mail account.

If you need help, please contact the Reference department at 617-879-2222 or e-mail.

NOTE: Take a screenshot of your entire screen so we can better assist you. (Learn how to make a screenshot here for click on the Windows or Mac tab)

The Library's Research Guides are available by subject, special topic, or class to help you find information and resources.   Select the research guide closest to your topic; a selection of relevant databases is at the top of each guide.  Some general academic databases such as Academic Search Premier, Expanded Academic ASP, and Sage Journals Online cover many disciplines - don't forget to try these too. If you need help, do not hesitate to contact a librarian by phone, IM, or email (try texting our email too).

• You may be searching in the wrong database.
  Check the subject areas on the Databases page to see if the database you have chosen covers your topic.
• You may be using terms the database doesn't use
  • Some databases use limited vocabularies of specialised terms, sometimes called a thesaurus
  • Try other words for your topic -- "adolescents" instead of "teenagers", or
  • Check the database's thesaurus, index, or list of terms.
• You may be using the right word but searching the wrong form of it
  • Try truncation. Some databases use ? and some use *; check on the search page or the database help page to see which symbol to use.
  • For example use "autis?" instead of "autistic" or "autism" in case one of those terms isn't used or used as much
• You may be using too many search terms.
  • In Google, entering many words in the search box helps you narrow your search to get fewer, more relevant results.
  • In the databases you need to use single words or very short phrases (sometimes requiring quotation marks) connected by the words AND or OR
  • Start simple! Instead of trying "the effects of maternal depression on children of World War II mothers living in poverty", you might search "maternal depression", or "motherhood AND depression".
  • Change searches a little bit at a time at first so you can tell what part of your search works and what doesn't.
• Also be sure to check your spelling. Google will offer the correct spelling if you have misspelled a word; the databases will not.

Remember that in the databases these words work differently than they do in conversation. When you combine terms in searches:

•  AND will decrease the number of results you get because results must have all of the terms you have used.
• OR will increase the number of results you get because results only have to have any one of the terms you have used.
• NOT will decrease the number of results because results cannot have that term.

If you cannot access any of the databases, here are the suggested steps:

• Restart your computer and try accessing the database again.
• If you are unable to access the database once you restart, try using a different browser such as Firefox, Opera, or the latest version of Internet Explorer. Or try another computer, if possible.
• If you are still unable to access the database, contact the Library for assistance at 617-879-2222, via meebo, or email.
• Include  a screenshot of your entire screen so we can better assist you. (Learn how to make a screenshot here for click on the Windows or Mac tab)

If you don't know where to start, come see us! We'll be happy to assist you in any way we can. Here are some other good places to start.   

• Library Staff names and contact information
• Request an individual appointment for research assistance
• Email us for research help

You can also go to the Research Help area of the Library's website for a brief guide to the Library's resources and for other links on researching and writing papers.

Other College resources:

• Wheelock College Writing Center
• Wheelock College Disability Services