[CALIBK12] TARGET: What is the definition of an online research subscription database?

[Jane Brooks]

I say that is is like having 200 or more semi-trucks filled with
newspapers, journals and magazines, BUT since storage is a problem and
it would take months to find the one that you wanted,  someone scanned
them into a computer and indexed every single one by subject (date,
title, etc.) so that they can be magically, immediately accessed with a
few key strokes.  Naturally someone needs to be paid for doing this and
keeping it up to date so we pay for it just like a magazine or newspaper
subscription.
 
Jane Brooks
Library Media Teacher
Cabrillo High School
2001 Santa Fe Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90810
 
562/951-7736


>>> Marie Slim <sraslim at sbcglobal.net> 05/07/08 1:26 PM >>>

Hi all!
 
I keep getting this question - "What is a database?"  
 
I usually give a convoluted answer that includes "better than the
Internet,"  "editted,"  "published, vetted information," "we pay for
it," "magazines, newspapers and journals," "usually requires a
password," and "only for our students."
 
Does anyone have a snappier, smarter answer that conveys what an online
research subscription database is that they could share?  Please email
me and I'll post a hit without names (unless you want your name attached
to your answer- if so, please specify).
 
Thanks in advance...


Marie Slim 
Teacher-Librarian
Troy High School 
2200 Dorothy Lane 
Fullerton, CA 92831 
Library hours: M - Th 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Fridays 6:30am to 3:30
p.m. 
phone: 714-626-4482 
fax: 714-626-4485 
http://www.ilovelibraries.com 
http://slimlibrary.blogspot.com/ 
SraSlim at sbcglobal.net
 
"This is the age of the open-source encyclopedia.  Words like
'research' and 'corroborated' now mean whatever the majority says they
mean.  Personally, I'm voting for 'research' to mean 'speculation' and
'corroborated' to mean 'a zesty sour cream-based dip.'"  
 
- Steven Colbert, I Am America (And So Can You!)

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