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SIRS

To enter: select your local public library system and enter the barcode from your library card. Because this site operates by subscription access, we are not able to insert links into this section of our outline.

Select either SIRS Interactive Citizenship Guide or SIRS Government Reporter.
Both will take you to SIRS Knowledge Source

Under the Interactive Citizenship tab,you find interactive textbooks: text with links to web sites and primary source material:

  • What Citizens Need to Know About Government
  • What Citizens Need to Know About World Affairs

Under the Database Features tab, point out:

SIRS Researcher (GOVT. 12; VUS 14):

  • Detailed Maps of the World
  • Focus on Terrorism: links to full-text articles from a variety of news sources
  • Model UN: links to full-text news articles arranged by topic


SIRS Government Reporter has:

  • Federal Agencies: links to full-text government documents (articles in government journals, fact sheets, etc.) (GOVT. 7A)
  • Historic Documents: links to full-text speeches, Inaugural and State of the Union Addresses, treaties, and more (VUS 4-13, GOVT. 4)
  • National Archives Documents: links to full-text documents from the National Archives arranged by topic (VUS 4-13, GOVT. 4)
  • U.S. Supreme Court: links to full text of Supreme Court decisions (both majority and dissenting opinion) (GOVT. 10)
  • Suggested Research Topics: links to full-text news articles


Under the Topic Browse tab : Alphabetical ėtreeî of Subject categories

Example: Military Affairs, then POWs/MIAs.


Under the Advanced Search and Quick Search tabs: Search for news articles from a variety of periodicals, as well as some reference works like the World Almanac.

Advanced Search Example: Search for ėCherokeeî and ėGeorgiaî in Advanced Search using both title and full text. Notice that there are no entries for the Supreme Court case ėCherokee Nation vs. Georgia,î even though the text of the decision can be found in SIRS Government Reporter. Point out some of the types of articles that are found. Compare with search for ėSyriaî in title.

Quick Search ņ Searches subject headings. Use single term, like ėCherokeeî or ėSyria.î Notice the difference: ėSyriaî takes you to list of subdivisions, some of which are ėseeî references. Example: ėSyria, Foreign Relations, Israel,î refers user to ėIsrael, Foreign Relations, Syria.î

NOTE: "(GOVT. ##)" or "(VUS ##)" refers to the corresponding Virginia Standard Of Learning (S.O.L.).

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This page last updated on: April 16, 2004

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