Electronic Databases and Reference Materials

Databases have become an important informational tool. Even before CD-ROM and the Internet, libraries made use of collections of materials such as Facts on File. Many libraries put lots of time and effort into maintaining vertical files of clipped articles, brochures, and pamphlets. Today these resources can be access much more quickly from anywhere in the world using electronic databases.

Some children and young adults familiar with the Internet may wonder about the value of electronic databases. Many of the databases are difficult to access with poor interfaces and weak search tools. However students are easily convinced when they're able to find ten, high-quality, full-text articles on "steriod use in high school sports" in an electronic journal database compared with 10,000 links to junk using Yahoo.

Over the past several years, many libraries, museums, and agencies have developed wonderful electronic databases. Butterflies and Moths of North America is a searchable database including occurrence maps, species accounts, checklists, and photographs of thousands butterflies and moths.

Read the following materials related to electronic databases for children and young adults:

• Electronic Databases Defined
  • Delivery Formats
  • Features
  • Evaluation
  • Purchase
  • Licensing Issues
  • Use
• Electronic Database and References
  • Electronic Databases
  • Electronic Databases for Children
  • Electronic Environments
• Reference Materials on CD & DVD
• Online Reference Materials from Teacher Tap
• Daily Resources from Teacher Tap
• Online News Sources from Teacher Tap
• Multimedia Seeds (Huge site, browse only)
• Visual Resources: Photos and Clip Art from the Teacher Tap