How to: Read the News: Accessing News through the Libraries

The Holy Cross Libraries subscribe to several databases, research tools, where you can find current news. One of these is a database called NexisUni (formerly LexisNexis).

To find today's news in NexisUni, click on the link to open the home page, and choose a content area that interests you (for example, Business or Politics). 

Then, look for the Recent News section (marked in the image below). 

There are so many news sources available today that it can be difficult to decide what is a "good" source for information. Here are some tips to keep in mind when thinking about good news sources: 

• Reputation. This means not only how well-known the source is, but more importantly whether it is established (that is, has been around for a long time and proven itself), and whether it is respected by others in the news industry. 
   
• Author. Quality news stories are not always written by experts in a specific topic (for example, not everyone who writes about the upcoming elections will have a degree in political science!), but they are usually written by professional journalists or writers, who will be working with fact-checkers to make sure their information is accurate. 
   
• Content. Good-quality sources have original content -- they write their own stories, reported first-hand by journalists at the scene, rather than borrowing stories from other sources. When they do refer to other sources for their information, those sources are credited.
   
• Purpose. While all news sources are technically in the "entertainment" industry, you should aim for sources whose purpose is to provide good information first, and entertainment second (for example, some of the articles could be entertainment related, but most should be news stories rather than quizzes, games, etc.). 
   
• Audience. Similar to Purpose above, look for sources that are designed for readers wanting to get important information. You may also want to look for sources to which readers normally subscribe. Even though many newspapers, such as the Boston Globe, allow you to read articles without subscribing, the fact that readers are willing to pay for the content can give you clues about the quality of the information (this includes sources you will find in the library or through the library's website!). 

Visit this link to follow a Twitter list of sample news sources. 

Or, click here to learn how to create your own list. 

The Libraries have many different newspapers, magazines and other sources that you can read in print copy.  Newspapers and magazines are not allowed to leave the library, but you are welcome to read them for as long as you like inside the library. 

Dinand Library has the largest selection of print periodicals. Just visit the Main Reading Room (pictured left -- the room with the printers). The print periodicals are located on the shelves around the edges and in the center of the room, alongside our reference books (dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.). Don't hesitate to ask for help at the desks in the reading room or the lobby!