Library Databases

The best place to start your research is the
Library Subscription Databases.

What are the Library Subscription Databases?

As you may remember from the Search Engines section, a database is "An organized collection of records presented in a standardized format."

The Library Subscription Databases (such as Ebsco Academic Search Premier or CQ Researcher) are specialized types of databases. They provide online access not to ordinary websites, but to the full text of magazines and journals, as well as a few other types of resources such as special reports, image collections, newspapers and traditional library reference works. They cover a wide variety of subject areas ranging from English Literature to Health. As of August 2008, the Sacramento City College Library provided access to over 40 different databases.

Accessing the Databases

Although you use an Internet connection to get to the Databases, they are not part of the general Internet. The library pays to subscribe to the Databases because they provide a superior quality of information. If you are using a computer belonging to the library or one of the campus computer labs, you will be able to access the Databases without logging in. However, when you are off campus, or using the campus wireless network, only currently registered Sacramento City College students, staff and faculty may access the Databases. You will also need to activate the barcode on your Student Access card (your student ID) and set up a PIN to access the Databases.

Why are the Library Subscription Databases the best place to start your research?

The information in the Databases has already been evaluated and is of a higher quality than what you will find searching on the Internet. Many instructors require students to use the Databases for research assignments. For example, an economics instructor may create an assignment to locate two articles from a finance journal. Students would need to search for the articles using the Databases to find the information and would not be able to complete the assignment using the normal Internet resources. They would have to use the Databases.

If you are interested in learning how to use the Databases, you should sign up for a Section B orientation at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center. Many sessions are offered during the academic year. You may also contact the Reference Desk for more information (916-558-2461).

Online Library Orientation - Review

You've done it! Learned how to do better research on the Internet. If you've been paying attention, you should be able to complete the Final Quiz with little difficulty. However, just to make sure, let's do a little review.

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Library Databases	Sacramento City College Library Online Internet Orientation