Library databases - love 'em or...never heard of them?

Get a group of librarians together and ask them about their favorite databases. Go on, try it. For those of you who still cling to the stereotype that librarians are mild-mannered, cardigan-wearing pushovers, you'll be really surprised! Librarians know all about library databases and can compare the strengths and weaknesses of each, knowing all the finer details of these powerful research tools that open up a world of resources Google can't touch.

But why should you care about library databases? Aren't they just a librarian thing? I'd be willing to bet you have a research need right now that could be met by just the right database - but you're probably spending an awful lot of time Googling instead. What makes library databases unique?

1. They often offer full-text access to articles and other forms of information you simply cannot obtain off the free Internet: Full-text magazine and newspaper articles, going back many decades; Encyclopedia entries, complete with photos, high quality maps and statistical information; Specialized information from medical, legal and academic resources; Business and demographic information, to help you research an employer, an investment, a business partner or, put together a mailing list of prospects.
   
   
2. They can be searched very specifically - you can not only enter your search terms but you can also ask for results from specific dates, publications, authors, SIC codes and a lot more.
   
   
3. Some databases cover many subject areas, while some are subject-specific. At DPPL, we've taken a lot of the guesswork out of your research by creating helpful "Subject Guides," which include appropriate databases. When you want a wide variety of opinions on a topic, and want it from easily read news and magazine sources, use a general database. When you need expert opinions and the highest level of professional quality, reach for the more subject specific databases.
   
   
4. And now, you can search many databases at the same time, including our Library Catalog of books, videos and music. If you've never even tried to search a library database, you can start with our new "1 Search" service, which allows you to search many databases, either by checking off the specific ones you want or letting 1 Search choose for you, by picking a subject category. Look for 1 Search here, on our main database page.

So, come on - don't let librarians get all the good stuff. Visit our master list of databases for adults, databases for kids, or our Subject Guides. I bet you'll find something you need.