By Azenath Ateka

The Library has recently acquired trial access to two new academic databases, following negotiations with two academic publishers, Taylor & Francis and Adam Matthew. The two publishers have provided access to their databases as follows;

Taylor & Francis eBooks – This is a digital resource that includes over 125,000 e-books and over 2 million book chapters, cutting across all disciplines. The trial has been negotiated by the Kenya Libraries and Information Services Consortium (KLISC) and ends on Monday, May 31, 2021.

Adam Matthew Archives – Some of the themes covered include cultural studies, ethnic studies, gender and sexuality, politics, literature, among others. The trial ends on Tuesday, March 16^, 2021.

The addition of these two databases to the University’s Library is part of the efforts that have been put in place to ensure that students could continue their studies seamlessly, as the university transitioned to online learning. Some of the important initiatives that have been put in place include:

• Introduction of subject guides that link users to specific databases, links, recommended books and career resources in a particular discipline. The subject guides offer easy navigation to core information in a given discipline.
• Subscription to Cabell’s, a comprehensive source for journal information, evaluation metrics, and article submission details for researchers and authors. On this platform, one can explore a White List of more than 11,000 suitable qualified peer reviewed journals in which to publish one’s research. On the same platform, a comprehensive source for journal information, evaluation metrics, and article submission details for researchers and authors. On this platform, one can explore a white List of more than 11,000 suitable qualified peer reviewed journals in which to publish one’s research, in addition to offering users a blacklist of journal titles not suitable for publication.

Access to the two databases is from the USIU-Africa network or via the Virtual Private Network (VPN). To download and connect to the VPN go here for instructions. Should you wish to make any comments, queries or suggestions, you can reach us at library@usiu.ac.ke or askalibrarian@usiu.ac.ke.