Week #6: Databases

Wait, what? Databases are hardly new. In fact, some folks feel their day has come and gone, thanks to the ever-blossoming resources available on the free web. So why are they part of a course on Library 2.0?

Well, for starters, database vendors have been incredibly responsive to the changing times. Many of them have upgraded their products and services to include features like RSS feeds and the ability to share information on social networks. For seconds, the quality of information in subscription databases often still trumps what's out there on the free web, especially when it comes to full-text journal holdings.

But, you might reply, our patrons aren't USING databases! They're Googling!They certainly are, and any attempts to put that particular horse back in the barn would be futile. However, Google and research databases are chocolate cream pie and apples, respectively. And while chocolate cream pie appears more attractive than apples, a steady diet of nothing but pie will make you sick, fat, and unhappy. Our patrons still need apples!

In my opinion, our three-pronged task as information professionals in the 2.0 age is to:

a) educate ourselves about the products to which we subscribe

b) make informed decisions about which products are best for our patrons, and which 2.0 database enhancements are useful.

c) use 2.0 technologies and services to spread the word about the superior information and service library databases can provide.

Now, granted, as the EREC chair, I'm a touch biased on that point. I'm hoping this week's task and comments will start an excellent countywide conversation about our databases and how we can use and promote them most effectively.

But enough philosophizing!

Your official task this week (Thing #9) is to choose 3 databases from the Find Articles page , play with them, and discuss your results in a comment below. Please make an effort to choose databases with which you are not familiar, and notice any 2.0 technologies that may be present within the databases. For more links, video clips and inspiration, see also Week 6 of the 23 Things Wiki.

[NOTE: I know some libraries have private subscriptions that are for their cardholders only. Please try to avoid these, as it's possible that not everybody in the group will have access to them. Exceptions can be made for products you have that you THINK everybody should have, and want to brag on!]

Happy searching...