-------Original Message------------------------
I have been having problems finding information on our subscription
databases but usually figure it's because I am searching the wrong
way. Also I have overheard some librarians bemoan the lack of use
their subscription databases are getting.
One of our teachers is doing a research lesson on popular children
authors, so I decided to try our databases. I did a trial run on a few
authors such as Rick Riordan & Dan Gutman. I tried EBSCO (novel list,
literary reference center, Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia),
WorldBook, and SIRS Discoverer, but did not find much if any
biographical information. I also tried Enotes, but most of that
biographical information was copied from Wikipedia. So I thought I
would try our subscription search engines (netTrekker & Webpath
Express) and the VirtualLRC, again little luck. So then I tried Google
and found lots of information including the author's website. The
customized Google search put together by Dr. Bell (infotopia) also
worked.
I know I could buy another database specifically for biographies, but
feel for this level it would be better for the students to learn only
a few databases rather than many. OneSearch (our subscription "search
many databases at once" service) doesn't work well because it does not
distinguish between book reviews (of which there are plenty) and
biographical information (of which there is little).
Another example is searching for the 1980's Olympics "Miracle on Ice".
There is a two sentence mention in World Book Online, and there is a
few things mentions in EBSCOHost, but one can find some decent and
thorough information through Google.
Am I missing something here? Is there any nice comprehensive database,
or will I have to just purchase as many subscriptions as my budget
allows? I just find it a bit hard to justify when a free Google search
finds good information and wonder if I would be better off teaching
how to evaluate websites. What do you do?
Stephen Major
Secondary Librarian
Gyeonggi Suwon International School
South Korea
majormr@gsis.sc.kr
REPLIES
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I've had very similar experiences with expensive databases. In fact,
one year I had a trial to Gale's biography database (at time over
$3,000/yr). The first 2 "famous" people I tried weren't even in the
database: Oscar Romero and Natalia Ginzburg. Students in my school
were needing bio info on Oscar Romero, and the Natalia Ginzburg search
was my own interest (she's a great, 20th c. Italian author)
I do heartily recommend teaching evaluation skills, because even if
they are using something like Ebsco or Gale, they still need to know
that many periodicals have their own biases. For example, National
Review vs. The Nation. One is conservative, the other is liberal.
Students need to know that even search results in subscription
databases need to be evaluated.
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I have encountered so much resistance in my attempts to get students,
and especially teachers, to use the subscription tools, that I'm about
ready to give up and say -- "just Google. No doubt you'll find
something, and maybe I'll be more successful at teaching you to choose
among your results in that environment." Teachers and (I'm told)
professors seem to care little about the quality of the material used
as resource/reference, and the databases are a big chunk of my budget.
----------------------------------------------
In my opinion you are better off teaching them how to use the internet
well instead of pouring more money into databases that they will not
have access to when they leave school anyway - then what will they do
if you have not taught them how to properly use the open net? Many
people in our area are voicing their opinions about database
frustration and some are saying enough is enough.
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I very much agree with you. I find myself in a pickle, I am trying to
go into a digital library 2.0 area, but the subscription databases are
either too expensive or do not provide enough information. I try to
do some research for the IB extended essay, and ProQuest/EBSCO/MUSE
can only give me abstracts or articles from Newsweek.
I have personal access to powerful databases, and I teach the kids to
search Google Scholar, then give me the citation. I feel that I at
least get them to understand a database that way, even if it is more
work on me.
For us overseas librarians, I am also at a loss for the magazines,
which arrive always too late.
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I would be very interested in a hit if you get some good advice. I
realized the other day as I went to Wikipedia to help a student who
couldn't find anything in our databases just to get enough information
to go back and search the databases better that something was wrong
with this picture... and I'm at a junior/technical college library.
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Our high school students have very productive search results using
InfoTrac. This a compilation of Gale databases -- Check out this link
for a complete list. http://www.gale.cengage.com/title_lists/
Infotrac is offered through our state. But there are other Gale
databases that are just as wonderful.
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Biographical information is not always readily available in journal or
magazine articles. I think it would be a great idea to provide
students with at least one online biographical source. That being
said, it is hard to figure out which one to purchase. Here are a few
examples
Ebscohosts Students Research Center: This includes indexing and
full-text for journals, magazines, and a few biographical
encyclopedias
American National Biography: Very comprehensive databases of deceased
Americans, indigenous people, and early American explorers.
Gale's Encyclopedia of World Biography: Available in print or as an
ebook. This thirty volume set includes great biographical sketches
for people throughout history and around the world.
Wilson's Contemporary Biography: Availalbe as a databases, that
includes excellent articles on more contemporary figues of importance.
You couldn't go wrong with any of these.
----------------------------------------------------
Teachingbooks.net would be very helpful. We also have good luck with
Gale databases. I have Student Resource Center and Gale Biography
Resource Center.
----------------------------------------------------
For bio information, you can't beat Gale's Biography Resource Center.
We use it on a variety of research papers.
--------------------------------------------
Although I subscribe to EBSCO databases, I also subscribe to Gale. I
searched their Literature Resource Center and got hits, including
biographies for both Dan Gutman and Rick Riordan. You might want to
contact them about a trial. You can go to this site
http://www.gale.cengage.com/freetrials/ and fill out the info to
request a trial
--------------------------------------
I absolutely LOVE the Biography Resource Center - It gets tons of use
at our school - Worth every penny.
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