|
|
What's the difference between a library database or online resource and a website?
A library database is an online resource to which the library subscribes that contains articles and other information from print sources such as magazines, newspapers, journal and reference books. While we access library databases over the internet, and they look like websites, most of the information you find in a library database cannot be found by searching Google or Yahoo.
There are two types of databases/online resources that the library buys:
Reference Database
A reference database provides facts, statistics, and background information about specific subjects. For instance Biography Resource Center provides biographical information from reputable encyclopedias and other books. Science Resource Center provides information about numerous scientific topics.
Article Database
An article database provides access to thousands of articles from magazines, newspapers, and journals. Many of these are full-text articles which you can read online, print out, or often email to yourself or others. At times, there will only be an abstract - which is a summary of the article, or just a citation - which gives the information necessary to find a print version of the article. Examples of databases with significant article content are Business Source Premier, Academic Search Premier, and MasterFILE Premier.
| When do I use a library database? |
 To find scholarly articles and/or information not available on the web. |
| To save time on your research. A library database provides access to credible information specifically about your topic. It is easy to spend valuable time looking through irrelevant and untrustworthy web pages. |
| To look for reliable biographical information. |
| To look for statistical information. |
| To look for an encyclopedic overview of a specific topic. |
| When do I use a website? |
| To access government information. |
| To shop online. |
| To be entertained. |
| To read today's news. |
| To read a personal web page or a blog. |
| To download music. |
| To play games. |
| To check email. |
|
|
