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What is a Library Database?

What is the basic definition of a library database?

• A library database is an electronic catalog or index.
• Library databases contain information about published items.
• Library databases are searchable.

What types of items are indexed by library databases?

Most library databases index articles from:

• Journals/Magazines
• Books
• Newspapers

What types of information do library databases provide?

Library databases provide citation information about the items they index. A citation typically consists of:

• Author
• Title of Article
• Source (Title of Publication)
• Publisher
• Date of Publication

Some library databases provide abstracts of the items they index. Abstracts are summaries provided by the author or database publisher.

A few library databases provide the full text (entire article) of some of the items they index.

Library databases sometimes omit photos, graphs, charts, and figures from articles, but most will indicate that these have been omitted.

How do library databases differ in what they cover?

Some library databases index items from many subject areas. If you're not sure which database to choose, Expanded Academic ASAP is a good place to start.

Most library databases index items from a specific academic discipline. To locate a database by subject, go to Find a Database.