No database for the average Joe

December 28, 2006 11:57 PM

Librarian type question: how on earth can I get access to the National Security Archive database by Proquest? I am writing some articles on the Cold War on Wikipedia and want to see some of the documents in this collection, but Proquest/Chadwyck doesn't deal with individuals. They even offer free trials, which I can't get because I'm not an individual. Am I out of luck?

I did consider my local library, but they subscribe to the Texshare program (basically a big batch of customized databases) and I doubt they'll want to get involved in a request like this.

posted by zek to education (8 comments total)

I have a GWU login - let me know what you need to access and I can send it to you.
posted by timetoevolve at 12:52 AM on December 29, 2006

Still might want to check your local library-- they might be able to Interlibrary Loan the articles for you.
posted by Carol O at 4:41 AM on December 29, 2006

I'm not an individual

Sure you are, zek!
posted by adamrice at 7:09 AM on December 29, 2006

If you are near a public university, I would contact them to see if they have some way of letting the general public access databases. I work at the Penn State library and any state resident with a drivers license can get an account that lets them access most of the databases while they are in the building. I imagine that a lot of other public universities would have similar programs for residents that need to do research.
posted by jefeweiss at 7:28 AM on December 29, 2006

The way my university worked is that you can access the databases remotely w/ a password, but if you physically go to the library, you can get in no problem, no questions asked. Call a nearby university, and ask.
posted by cschneid at 9:02 AM on December 29, 2006

It looks like the National Security Archive began its life as a microfiche set, which might increase the ILL chances by increasing the number of institutions that have the documents you need, albeit in fiche rather than digital format. So don't forget about those if you get desperate.

Luckily the content producer is housed at the GWU libraries and provides a certain amount of free, online access to its document collections. Those open web collections might have what you need. And from that list, it looks like they've also published issue-specific books and document collections, so maybe you'd be able to get your hands on one of those via ILL.

I'd also second both the local library/ILL and public university suggestions. ILL librarians typically have all sorts of good ideas on access. Also your local library may be part of a consortium that has access to additional scholarly sources.
posted by lillygog at 9:09 AM on December 29, 2006

Oh, stupid, I posted the wrong link... the National Security Archive is here:
http://nsarchive.chadwyck.com/marketing/index.jsp

The GWU link posted above is just their most important academic user.

Good catch adamrice... I guess next time I'll try to avoid posting so close to bedtime.
posted by zek at 9:38 AM on December 29, 2006

You can only access through local, regional, state or university libaries, since they only sell to public libaries now.

HeritageQuest is part of the parent company ProQuest, so I assume you can also access the NSA database through your library:

* Texas residents who are registered patrons of public or academic libraries can obtain free remote access to HeritageQuest Online through the TexShare Databases program: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/texshare/pl/index.html. You may need a login & password to access from home; contact your library for more information.

People from other states who are interested in access can check here: http://www.eogen.com/HeritageQuestOnline
posted by LadyBonita at 1:54 PM on December 29, 2006