New databases aid student research

Students can take advantage of two new research databases – SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Researcher – available from the State Library Web site.

SIRS is available on personal computers located on South Dakota campuses (K-12 and state government) as well as South Dakota libraries.

The SIRS Discoverer database focuses on grades K-6 with articles and graphics from more than 1,600 magazines, newspapers and U.S. government documents. Items in the database are selected for their educational content, interest, and level of readability for middle and elementary curriculum topics.

SIRS Researcher focuses on grades 6-12. It’s a general reference database containing thousands of articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues. Articles and graphics are selected from 1,500 domestic and international publications.

The State Library will do free in-service training on database usage and navigation. For information, call Dana Ruby at the State Library, 1-800-423-6665.