* A library database is an indexed collection of magazine, journal, newspaper articles, abstracts, and other information, which has been checked for accuracy and reliability by publishers and then licensed for distribution in online/electronic format.
* A database is defined as an organized collection of information.
* Library Databases:
* Type of information retrieved: magazine, journal, newspaper articles; books or book chapters, conference proceedings, papers, technical publications.
Organization: Content is organized and indexed by librarians and publishers so that content can be easily accessed, managed and updated.
Review process: information in library databases comes from publishing groups and goes through a review process before it is published in electronic or print materials. The publisher’s editors have checked this information for accuracy and reliability.
How often is it updated? Regularly, from daily to quarterly to even annually. The information is stable.
Cost/Access: library databases are not free; libraries purchase them. The library pays a fee for access to the databases. In our case at Dedham High School, our databases are paid for by the state of Massachusetts for use by the taxpayer.
Uses: library databases should be the first stop for any academic research assignment whether you are searching for background or biographical information, a basic overview or in-depth research coverage. Please come to the librarian to find out which database will suit your needs for your assignments.
Search strategies: Offers options to search by specific subject headings or descriptors.
