Find It @ Jacobs University

What is Find It?

Find It is an electronic research portal that allows users to search simultaneously in a variety of information resources, such as library catalogs, article databases, digital repositories and internet sources. It is designed to make it easier for our patrons to find relevant resources quickly and effectively.

Why is it so fabulous?

No more getting lost in multiple interfaces! Find It allows you to search several databases simultaneously and will display a combined list of results. From there, the convenient red spiral will then direct you to the holdings in the catalog (for books) or the full-text article, if they are available in the Jacobs collection. If not, you are directed to a page allowing you to submit an interlibrary loan request for the title.

What else?

Far beyond what's on the shelf, Find It is the best place to gain an overview of the exceptional holdings in subscription databases and electronic journal available to you at Jacobs University.

Quick Search

The perfect place to start your research! You can search predefined sets of resources in broad subject areas. Click on one of the so-called "Quick Sets" to find out what databases are included. Advanced users that work in very specialized subject areas may want to define their own personalized sets.

Database Finder

Databases are extremely important tools for research. The library subscribes to more than 100 pertinent databases. Databases may be multi-disciplinary or subject-specific. The Database Finder helps you to identify relevant databases by title or keyword search. Alternatively, you can view available databases in your subject area.

Journal Finder

The vast majority of research journals to which the library subscribes are available in electronic format. The Journal Finder allows you to gain an overview of our journal holdings and browse for titles relevant to your study and research. (FYI: Journals to which the library subscribes in print are listed in the library catalog.)

Things to Remember

  • Connect to VPN: In order to have full access to all the electronic resources we subscribe to, also off campus, you must be connected via VPN to be recognized as an authorized Jacobs user.
  • Native interfaces: Not all databases support this way of federated searching offered by the Find It tool. Occasionally, you may be redirected to the native interface of a database.
  • The red spiral: This little button is your best friend, well, at least when it comes to navigating our electronic resources. The little red spiral works as a link resolver, connecting your search results to our actual print and electronic holdings.
  • Interlibrary loan if not available directly at Jacobs.
  • Export references to RefWorks.

We recommend using Find It to:

  • search for articles and books on a topic
  • search more than one database at a time
  • search for books and articles at the same time

Help and Advice

If you have any problems accessing the Find It tool or using any of its features, please come to the library and ask for a librarian. You can also contact us via e-mail.