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ELM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM)?

Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) is supported by appropriations from the Minnesota Legislature to provide Minnesotans with access to electronic information. Funds were appropriated to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minnesota Department of Education for Minitex and State Library Services respectively to provide electronic access to general information databases. Minitex is an information and resource sharing network, and State Library Services is Minnesota's state library agency.

The Legislative intent for this appropriation is to provide the best possible access to information resources across the educational spectrum (including K-12, higher education, state government, and public libraries) on a statewide basis. Access is possible both in the library and remotely from home, businesses, and classrooms, or computer laboratories.

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What databases are in ELM?

45 databases are available in ELM. Some databases have multiple interfaces.

EBSCO (16 databases)

  • Academic Search Premier
  • Alt HealthWatch*
  • Business Source Premier
  • Consumer Health Complete*
  • ERIC*
  • Health Source: Consumer Edition*
  • Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition*
  • MAS Ultra – School Edition*
  • MasterFILE Premier
  • Middle Search Plus*
  • Points of View Reference Center*
  • Primary Search*
  • Professional Development Collection*
  • Regional Business News
  • Science Reference Center*
  • EBSCO MegaFILE

Gale (11 databases)

  • Discovering Collection
  • Expanded Academic ASAP*
  • Educator's Reference Complete*
  • General Science Collection*
  • ¡Informe!
  • InfoTrac Student Edition (High Schools)
  • InfoTrac Junior Edition (Middle Schools)
  • Junior Reference Collection
  • Kids InfoBits
  • Professional Collection
  • Student Resource Center Gold*

NetLibrary (1 database)

  • NetLibrary Shared Collections

OCLC (15 databases)

  • OCLC WorldCat (The OCLC Online Union Catalog)
  • ArchiveGrid*
  • CAMIO*
  • OAISter*
  • OCLC ArticleFirst*
  • OCLC Electronic Collections Online A&I*
  • OCLC PapersFirst*
  • OCLC ProceedingsFirst*
  • Clase/Periodica*
  • ERIC*
  • GPO Monthly Catalog*
  • MEDLINE*
  • World Almanac/Book of Facts*
  • OCLC Electronic Books*
  • OCLC WorldCat Dissertations and Theses*

ProQuest (2 databases)

  • ProQuest Newsstand Complete – including 2 Gannett titles, Sioux Falls Argus Leader and St. Cloud Times
  • The Historical Minneapolis Tribune**

* Denotes a database or content added to the suite of eresources for the coming contract period.

** The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a Federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership, and a lifetime of learning, and State Library Services, the Minnesota state library agency, support this database under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Detailed information about all 45 ELM databases is available on the Product Highlights page.

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Where can I find title lists for the ELM databases?

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How long will we have access to the ELM databases?

All databases in ELM will be available through June 30, 2012. We have the option to renew two additional one-year terms.

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Do I need to re-register for ELM?

No, you do not need to re-register for ELM. Only libraries that have never registered for ELM before need to complete the registration form.

In the event that when you access the database links you are prompted for your customer ID and password, please complete our IP address change form.

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What do I need to do to set up access to the new databases?

Detailed instructions are available on our "Set Up ELM Access" page.

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What is the MEIR Task Force and who was on it?

The MEIR (Minitex Electronic Information Resources) Task Force was made up of librarians from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and included librarians and media specialists from public and private four-year academic institutions, community and technical colleges, the University of Minnesota and its coordinate campuses, public and state government libraries, and school media centers.

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Is my library eligible for ELM databases?

The current license covers the following Minnesota institutions: school media centers (K-12); public libraries that are members of regional public library systems; college and university libraries; health/hospital libraries; and local, state, and federal government libraries.

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I think my library is registered for access, but I can't find the welcome messages.

Contact ELM Support.

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Is ELM training available?

Our Reference Services librarians offer training on the ELM resources via webinars and hands-on, on-site workshops. Hands-on training sessions are offered periodically at local libraries and Wilson Library (University of Minnesota). Announcements of upcoming training opportunities are posted to library listservs such as Minitex-News, mtx-ref, mtx-elm, MEMO-L, and METRONET.

To see what workshops are currently offered, please visit the Reference Services Training Opportunities Web page. To have training brought to your library system or school district, contact Minitex Reference Services at 800-462-5348 or 612-624-4150.

Finally, we work with library organizations to provide training at conferences and other professional development opportunities.

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Are there tutorials or user guides available for the ELM databases?

A list of links to tutorials, user guides and help sheets for the ELM databases is available on our Web site. This page is being updated.

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Who can I contact for more information?

Contact ELM Support.

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