Before you invest in online databases, be sure to evaluate how your students
and teachers are using your library's resources. It won't do much good to
invest in JStor if your English, humanities or science classes aren't doing
research in the library.
I'd also check to see if your state, district, or Co-op is involved in any
consortium-type database program. Many states provide online databases to
schools through either direct access via the state department of education
or the department of libraries. Others provide access through public
libraries that allow student users access directly via their library card
(which allows you to encourage students and teachers to get a library card
from your local public library!) Either way, these database packages may
reduce your total cost for enrollment OR provide you with free access to a
wide-range of databases already available but not accessed. If you discover
you do have this option, participating in a consortium or free state-wide
program allows you, then, to focus on more specialized (and often more
expensive) databases.
Some of the basic databases that are found at the university level are
ProQuest, Thomson-Gale and Ebsco. Others such as Greenwood, Facts on File,
Lexis-Nexis, and ERIC are also found at both the high school and university
levels, but depending upon your students' usage, you may want to evaluate
the research needs of your students and teachers before you jump into a
"willy-nilly" purchase agreement for everything. One package of databases
(such as those usuallly available via a library consortium program) should
be a great way to introduce your students to databases while you investigate
which ones actually meet your needs.
In the meantime, be sure to read about some of the database evalulations in
your professional journals (SLJ, LMC, Teacher-Librarian, Multimedia &
Internet at Schools, etc.). You'll have a better idea of what might fit
your needs.
If you have other questions, feel free to contact me offlist! Good luck!
~Shonda
(Digital Resources Columnist, School Library Journal)
On 7/31/06, Peet, Maria <mpeet@ursuline.org> wrote:
>
> Hi! I'm new to this listserv, but am so impressed with the level of help
> and expertise!!
> I've got two questions (well, actually I have lots, but I'll start with
> these!)
> First, looking at the middle school and high school levels, with a very
> high percentage of students going on to college, what online databases would
> you say are the MOST HELPFUL for the students? I've checked the archives and
> have had several trials, but feel like a I am buying a health care package
> with all the different choices and levels that seem just too similar!
> College students say they use Jstor and Lexis/Nexis, but I'm not sure how
> these translate into the MS/US level. I have a fairly limited budget when it
> comes to the cost of the databases, so I'd like to get the most "bang for my
> buck"! Any help would be appreciated!
> Also, I'm looking at buying some "spinners" for the paperbacks in the
> library-- Does anyone have any great sources or advice about the spinners?
> Thanks!!
> (This is my first post, so please let me know if I need to change
> something!)
> Maria Peet
> Media Maven
> Ursuline Academy
> Wilmington, De
> lifeinthelab@gmail.com
>
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--
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
Technology Librarian
Fort Worth Country Day School
Fort Worth, TX
http://www.fwcds.org
sbrisco@gmail.com
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