This week I am exploring the Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center of the Marvel databases. This sounds like fun!
First I watch another short and wonderful tutorial about this resource. I have to say that these tutorials have all been concise and extremely easy to follow! A huge thank you to those who created these learning tools.
The home page for the Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center is very colorful and attractive. I have several choices or ways to search this database. I can browse by general categories such as Arts & Craftsor Outdoors & Nature. I am able to browse by Popular Sources such as Creative Costumes & Halloween Décor: 50 Projects to Sew & Craft or Knits for Men: 20 Sweaters, Vests & Accessories. I also see Season & Holiday, as well as Kids’ Crafts. WOW, what fun – Pintrest watch out – this is AMAZING!
Okay. I’m back – this database is truly one of those places I could get lost. Just browsing is so much fun, but now on to a “Real” search.
Since I have been learning to read the Tarot, I type tarot in the search bar. Eighty-two results! Several on the first page look interesting. The periodicals these articles range from Action Figure Digest to PolymerCAFE Magazine. I check a few of the articles and see that a couple of them actually do have a bit about the Tarot, but many don’t.
Next I try the Projectstab to see what this brings up. Three fun articles about creating a fantasy type character. Two of these projects are soft sculpture. Neither appears to have anything specific to do with tarot, but fun to see. The third project uses the Foolfrom the tarot deck as its inspiration for a wall hanging.
I check the other tabs – Periodicals and Reference Books – interesting information but not specific to my search term. I was hoping for a bit of information on creating a tarot deck, or perhaps inspiration for a tarot reading, but no luck this time.
The Help button at the top right of the screen is an interesting feature. Clicking this button, I find the usual help functions – how to search ; system requirements ; how to save results ; tutorial (I liked the one provided by the Maine State Library better than this one) ; etc. I do discover that there is a Citation Styles area. This will be extremely helpful when assisting folks needing to cite there sources!
Whether or not I have found what I was initially looking for, this is a wonderful database! I know I will definitely be using this with some of our patrons in the future.