AccessScience is the most recent reference source added to the Electronic Reference button on the SOUTHcat Plus homepage.

This is the electronic version of the renowned 20 volume McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, searchable in its entirety, and noted for its comprehensive overviews of topics in science and technology. Because it is offered over the WWW, it can be continuously updated as well as linked to other online resources. In addition to a direct search function, students can explore more randomly with a "browse" option.

Two other reference books are included in the package: McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms and the Hutchinson Dictionary of Scientific Biography. A great advantage of this online version is that it hotlinks its encyclopedia articles to current journal articles in several respected scientific journals.

The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology is the first place to look for background and factual information on technical and scientific topics.

Access Science is available from computers on the campus network. It is also available with a password and login at the Alabama Virtual Library, its statewide sponsor. Visit the Mobile Public Library in order to obtain a login and password for access from home.

Jan Sauer