Tips and tricks

If you are new to this try starting with one of our larger providers, Gale Cengage or EBSCOhost. When you are in any one of the online databases, you can opt to search across one or more of all the databases they provide. This will help you cast a wider net and begin to get a feel for how these databases work.

Gale Cengage

1. Open Gale Power Search.

2. Use Advanced Search to begin.

Gale Power Search


3. Use Select/Deselect to choose available Databases.

Gale Power Search Select Deselect


EBSCOhost

1. Open any of EBSCOhost’s databases. For our example, we’ll use the Book Collection:  Nonfiction to start.

2. Click the Choose Databases link to reveal all the databases that EBSCOhost provides.

EBSCOhost Step2

3. Select a few to cross-search

EBSCOhost Step3

ALERT | All public libraries will be closed in state observance of King Kamehameha Day on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

ALERT | Libraries will observe the Independence Day holiday July 3–5, 2026. Most libraries will be closed Friday, July 3; however, ʻAiea, ʻĀina Haina, Hanapēpē, Hawai‘i Kai, Hilo, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Kīhei, Liliha, Makawao, McCully-Mōʻiliʻili, Princeville, Thelma Parker, Wahiawā, Waialua, Waimānalo, Waikīkī-Kapahulu, and Waipahu will be open July 3 and closed Saturday, July 4.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Statehood Day, all public libraries will be closed on Friday, August 21, 2026.

ALERT | In observance of Labor Day, all public libraries will be closed Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026.