From performance reviews, article abstracts, oral history interviews, to film shorts, RUL offers a wide variety of information sources, all available online. RUL pays for access to a large number of subscription databases and streaming media services with resources related to jazz history. Links to those most relevant to jazz history and research, with brief descriptions, are located on the Databases page. Because these are subscription services, access is limited to Rutgers community members with a valid Rutgers NetID and password or to users who access these subscription sites in a public computer lab on campus. To this end, IJS visitors are welcome to use the computer lab on the first floor of the Dana Library.
RUL has published a couple web pages to help you successfully search the databases. The first one describes how to first find and then search within the databases. The second one describes how to search across the databases using Articles+. If you find a citation for an article that is not available at Rutgers, you can request a copy through inter-library loan. This service is only available for Rutgers community members.
The databases and web services to which Rutgers subscribes vary considerably in their search interfaces. By learning how they work and how to choose and apply your search terms carefully, you will be able to search with greater precision and more quickly find relevant search results. Given the variety of tools, you should consider using a database’s “Help” features for search tips and ways to narrow or filter your search. Please always feel free to ask an IJS staff member or Dana Reference Desk Librarian for assistance.