Duke University Medical Center Library Online - Database Search Requests (Mediated)

Search Request Form	Who can place a mediated search request?
How long does it take to have a search run?	What databases are available?
How much does it cost?	What if I want to do my own search?

Who can place a mediated search request?

Online search requests can be placed by Duke-affiliated personnel, patients, and health professionals in the area. You may be contacted by a professional librarian to discuss your search if clarification is necessary.

How long does it take to have a search run?

Normally a search can be completed within an hour or two of our receiving your request, but maximum turn around time is usually one business day. Search requests may be submitted at the Library Service Desk, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. It is best for you to be present while the search is run; however, requests can be taken by phone at 660-1100 or retrieved via the online Search Request Form. Please note: Our electronic mailbox will only be checked for search requests once a day at 9:00 am on Monday - Friday.

What databases are available?

The major database we search is MEDLINE. In addition to the databases available from Ovid Technologies, we have access to several hundred databases available from other vendors/producers. For more information on what we can access, call the Library Service Desk at 660-1100.

How much does it cost?

Search fees vary depending on the database searched, the time spent processing the search, and the number of references printed. Payment may be made with cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard. Patrons will be billed for searches that are delivered electronically. Duke departments and patrons may pay the bill with a credit card by faxing or mailing the invoice with the credit card information, which will be destroyed once the charge is made.

Duke-affiliated Personnel: $30 (up to 1 hr minimum); Additional time is charged at the rate of $7.50 per 15 minutes; $10 citation surcharge for bulk printing and/or emailing more than 150 citations
Local Health Professionals: $40 (up to 1 hr minimum); Additional time is charged at the rate of $10.00 per 15 minutes; $10 citation surcharge for bulk printing and/or emailing more than 150 citations
Patients/Consumers: $40 (up to 1 hr minimum); Additional time is charged at the rate of $10.00 per 15 minutes; $10 citation surcharge for bulk printing and/or emailing more than 150 citations
Commercial/non-Duke Personnel: Please call Megan von Isenburg, Associate Director - Information Services,
at (919) 660-1131 to inquire about availability of services.
Faxing Fees:: Local phone numbers: $5.00; Long distance phone numbers: $8.00; Maximum length of pages: 25

What if I want to do my own search?

Although professional librarians are available to provide comprehensive fee-based searches, self-service access to MEDLINE, Books@Ovid, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), Journals@Ovid Full Text, Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), PreMEDLINE, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus is available at terminals in the Library and remotely. Many other databases are also available via the Web (http://library.duke.edu/metasearch/db/title/).

To learn more about using the databases, connect to our Databases page. For instruction and consultation, try our Tutorials & Training page. You may also stop by the Library Service Desk or contact Connie Schardt, Education Coordinator (660-1124; schar005@mc.duke.edu).