FAQs
What is “El Portal”?
El Portal is a collection of databases that provide free 24/7 access to resources that are otherwise unavailable for free on the Internet. This includes newspapers, magazine and journal articles, and books such as encyclopedias. Materials are available for all age ranges and interests. “El Portal” is administered by New Mexico State Library.
Who can use New Mexico State Library “El Portal” Resources?
New Mexico State Library licenses these resources for all New Mexico residents thanks to funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What does this mean for New Mexico residents?
New Mexico residents can freely access New Mexico State Library online resources from any internet connection. This is a free service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any online connection will work - be it from home, work, school, or even from portable devices such as smart phones!
Note: Selected newspapers have restricted access. For information about newspapers, click on the “Newspaper” link on the main El Portal page.
How do I search for information on El Portal?
The top search box is powered by Gale PowerSearch. For an FAQ describing PowerSearch, click on the PowerSearch link directly below the search box.
If you would like to see a brief tutorial that will take you through the basics of using the PowerSearch box, click on the
“How do I use El Portal ” button on the main El Portal page.
Or, type search term(s) in the top search box. Click on the “ADVANCED SEARCH” tab and look for “Search Tips”.
Does the search box at the top of the page search all El Portal resources?
No. The search box at the top of the page searches a vast array of databases purchased by the State Library from the Gale Cengage Company. For a description of these databases, click on the “Magazines Online” tab.
Several Gale databases such as Chilton’s, and the Small Business Resource Center must be searched separately. They are listed and linked directly under the top search box.
For information about newspapers, click on the “Newspaper” link.
Additional State Library resources as well as the State Library Catalog (SALSA) must also be searched separately.
How do I find out if a specific magazine, journal, or newspaper is included in my search in the top search box of El Portal?
For a brief tutorial, click on the “How do I use El Portal” button.
To explore on your own, enter a subject term and click on the “Browse Publications” tab.
What is PowerSearch?
PowerSearch, by Gale-Cengage Learning, is a search platform unlike any other, providing libraries with a sophisticated yet simple solution for managing a wealth of periodical, reference, multimedia and primary source information. Gale PowerSearch provides researchers with access to almost all the Gale content in your library's collection through a single search.
Click here for a brief tutorial that provides information on basic searching using the PowerSearch box on El Portal.
How does El Portal recognize that I am a New Mexico resident?
El Portal recognizes that you are a New Mexico resident thanks to a technology called Geo-IP authentication. Geo-IP authentication checks the IP address of the device you use to access the resources and compares it to a database of all IPs known to originate within New Mexico.
Once your IP address is validated as an IP address within New Mexico, you can access El Portal online resources without being asked for any logon or password.
I am a New Mexico resident, but I am traveling outside NM. Can I still access the resources?
Yes, you can still access the resources. However, because you are located outside the automatic access geographic range, you will need to provide logon information. You can obtain this logon information by contacting the New Mexico State Library.
"ASK a Librarian” provides contact information for State Library staff. State Library Reference staff is available M-F 10-4:30.
I am within New Mexico but I am still being asked for logon and password to use El Portal resources. Why?
While Geo IP should work anywhere in NM, there are limited exceptions. If you feel you should have open access and are being asked for logon and password authentication, please contact:
Cengage Gale Technical Support
galesupport@cengage.com
To request assistance from your public, academic or school librarian, use the “Find a NM Library” feature for contact information.
