Online Resources & Databases

Research & Reference Services’ non-archival collections include historical and contemporary reference and circulating materials. These focus on areas such as the life and works of Mary Baker Eddy, nineteenth-century history, Bible studies, women in theology, contemporary spirituality, and religious history. These collections are comprised of books, videos, CDs, DVDs, and periodicals, and are searchable via an online catalog. More detailed descriptions of the collections areas are also available.

Non-archival collections descriptions (All Non-Circulating)

• BIO: a rotating collection of biographies and autobiographies
• J: an array of children’s picture books, fiction and nonfiction, focusing on Mary Baker Eddy, the Bible, geography, New England places and authors, and more
• HIS: historic interest and some more recent works with the majority of retrospective titles related to the Christian Science faith, parapsychology, philosophy, and metaphysics
• MAIN: a wide ranging collection, including such subjects as women’s studies, world religions, Bible history, nineteenth century New England history, and spirituality
• MBE-S: “Mary Baker Eddy Studies,” a core collection focusing on the life and works of Mary Baker Eddy and the story of the Christian Science faith
• MEDIA: audiovisual materials focusing on world religions, Christian Science and the life and works of Mary Baker Eddy
• +:oversize books
• Periodicals: select magazines, and journals including Christian Science Publishing Society (CSPS) publications
• PROF: professional development materials for librarians, including guides, manuals, instructional works
• REF: general reference materials
• REF+: oversize reference books
• RARE: antique or rare books, as well as those with extrinsic value, housed in closed stacks and retrieved by request
• RSCH: a companion collection available for researchers.

Databases

Online researchers are also welcome to consult the databases below:

General Reference Center Gold—the latest current events, popular culture, business and industry coverage, the arts and sciences, sports, hobbies, and more

Gale Virtual Reference Library—reference books across many subject areas including: the arts, biography, history, multicultural studies, and religion

Academic OneFile—peer-reviewed, full text articles in many subject areas including the social sciences, arts, theology, literature and others

InfoTrac Religion & Philosophy Collection—250 subject appropriate full periodicals that focus on religion and philosophy

Biography In Context—searchable reference books focusing on the biography of world leaders, musicians, Nobel Peace Prize winners, Olympians, and much more

InfoTrac Communication & Media Collection—more than 100 journals focused on: advertising and public relations, literature and writing, linguistics, and many more

InfoTrac Diversity Studies Collection—a collection of 150 journals explores cultural differences, contributions and influences in our global community

Massachusetts History Online—contains articles on Massachusetts history and is updated regularly

New York Times—coverage from 1980 to present