We offer over 40 different databases right here on our web site.
Research & Resources
Search Engines - Databases vs. Web Sites FAQ
On this page:
What is a Database?
A database is a collection of information organized in a standard format to allow for easy retrieval. Databases cover many topics including literature, biography, health, business, history, and science and technology. Databases will help you because they give you quick access to authoritative information. Information is authoritative when it comes from experts and professionals and has been reviewed for accuracy.
Can't I get the same information on the Web?
No. Most of the information you can get from the Web is free. The Library pays for the use of its databases. It cost money because the information found in a database is targeted and accurate, it comes from authoritative sources and takes work to compile. You can't find our databases for free on the Web.
What's the difference between databases and web sites?
The Web is free to browse and contains information posted by whomever chooses to create a web site. Databases, while they are free to use, cost the library money but contain information that cannot be found on the Web. Databases are especially useful for newspaper and magazine articles, biographical information, business statistics, directories, and encyclopedia articles. Searching web sites, on the other hand, is helpful for information on a unique topic, current news and entertainment, and access to government agencies or specific corporations.
Using a database is hard. What's wrong if I just google it?
There's nothing wrong with searching the Web to get information. Just keep in mind that the information you get hasn't been evaluated. It could be inaccurate, biased, or it might not be current. Also, the authors of web sites might not have the same credentials as the authors of articles from the databases. The EBSCO database, for instance, contains articles in many subjects from a large number of magazines and journals. The authors of these articles have published before and their work has been reviewed for accuracy by the magazine editors.
Where are the databases and how do I use them?
There is a link called Databases & Online Collections on the left side of library's Research & Resources page, which will take you to a page with links to all of our databases.If you need a better description of a database, follow the 'Alphabetical List of Databases' link at the top of the page.
Using a database is like searching the Web but instead of looking for your search terms anywhere on a page, the database lets you search specific fields like author, title, place, or date. Information is therefore retrieved with better precision and there is less need to weed through irrelevant results like there is when you use a search engine on the Web. Ask a Librarian if you need help learning to use the databases.