Database Spotlight: HeinOnline
Hello! Welcome to the second installment in the Database Spotlight blog series! This month, I want to highlight a database that contains a wealth of information. This database describes itself as the “premier online research platform that provides more than 208 million pages of multidisciplinary periodicals, essential government documents, international resources, case law, and much more [1].” Of course, I’m talking about HeinOnline! I like to tell people that HeinOnline is one of those “hidden gem” type databases. It’s a lesser-known platform (unlike the popular Westlaw and Lexis databases), but it contains a massive amount of various content.
You might remember reading a blog some time ago specifically about Hein’s Social Justice Suite. Since then, Hein has made several improvements and enhancements to the platform. The Riverside County Law Library has even acquired a few new HeinOnline digital collections, which will be discussed. First, let’s start off with some of Hein’s new features.
Features
One of the more recent enhancements to the HeinOnline database is the addition of “Enhanced Faceting.” Hein describes the enhancement to their faceting tool as “empowering users to quickly narrow down search results based on specific criteria [while being able to] zero in on the most relevant results” [2]. The Benefits of the enhanced faceting tool allow users to comb through Hein’s massive inventory to find specific information.
Another newer feature of HeinOnline is the “Pathfinder Subjects” tool. This search tool allows users to browse or search via subject-specific research. Users can narrow down search results or browse collections from over 1,500 subject topics under the five overarching subjects of Applied Sciences, Humanities, Industries, Natural and Formal Sciences, and Social Sciences [6].
Digital Collections
Aside from producing new and enhanced features to their platform, Hein regularly updates and adds new content. Over the past 6 months, RCLL’s Hein subscription has increased with the inclusion of 3 new collections including:
- Water Rights & Resources – This is a digital collection “dedicated to understanding the complex interplay of state and federal laws that govern all aspects of water in society, from municipal use to restoring its pristine condition” [3]. This collection includes 3,161 titles, 3,551 volumes, and 706,027 pages of content [3]. This collection includes subject-coded content on numerous legal water issues including Dams and Hydropower, Groundwater, Oceans and Estuaries, Water Management, and much more [3].
- Law Library of Congress Reports – This is a digital collection “developed in collaboration with the Law Library of Congress [that contains] more than 3,500 reports on foreign, comparative, and international law – all in one easy-to-navigate collection” [4]. The collection includes around 4,250 titles, 4,251 volumes, and 78,083 pages of content [4]. Subject areas for the law reports include Abortion, Environmental Law, Labor Law, Women’s Rights, and much more [4].
- Voting Rights & Election Law – The purpose of this collection is to “understand the electoral process: how elections are conducted, the strategies and controversies of political campaigns, and who is allowed to vote” [5]. This collection includes 3,482 titles, 4,560 volumes, and 1,415,790 pages of content [5]. The collection isn’t limited to U.S. Voting and Election law but includes such content on global scale. Subjects in this collection range from Absentee Voting, Campaign Finance, Suffrage, Voter Registration, and much more [5].
All three of these collections are now available to use through RCLL’s HeinOnline subscription.
Coming Soon…
While I was at the AALL Conference in Boston, I had the chance to meet with a few Hein representatives that gave me a sneak peek into new features and collections coming soon to HeinOnline. One of the upcoming features will be a revamped welcome homepage. Hein’s new welcome homepage will be redesigned to enhance the user experience with a new intuitive interface and modern look [7]. Additionally, new collections are in the works including a West Academic Casebooks digital collection and an Organization of American States digital collection. The West Academic Casebooks collection will include digital versions of casebooks from the American Casebook Series, Nutshell Series, and Hornbook Series [7]. The Organization of American States (OAS) digital collection will include content from the world’s oldest regional organization dating back to the First International Conference of American States held in 1889-1890 [7].
Stay Informed
Hein has multiple ways for users to stay informed and educated about their platform. You can visit their “Knowledge Base” which includes training videos, search tips, and other research tools. Hein’s LibGuides includes online guides that help users learn more about Hein’s collections and interface functionality. The HeinOnline Blog is an excellent resource that highlights materials in their collection and provides readers with current examples of legal issues. Lastly, the Hein Newsletter is the best way (in my opinion) to stay up to date with the latest information from HeinOnline. You can subscribe to a monthly, weekly, or special announcement only newsletter.
HeinOnline is available on-site at all 3 RCLL locations and via remote (home) access. Please call the library at (951) 368-0368 or email lawlibrary.riverside@rclawlibrary.org for remote access info.
*Please note, not all features and content may be available through RCLL’s HeinOnline subscription. Ask an RCLL law librarian for more info.
Prior Database Spotlight blogs:
References
[1] About HeinOnline
[3] Water Rights & Resources collection
[4] Law Library of Congress Reports collection
[5] Voting Rights & Election Law
Written by: Michael Van Aken, Electronic Services Librarian
