Do Your Homework

Databases vs. Websites: What's the difference?

What is a Library Database?

• Library databases contain information from published works. Examples: Magazine and newspaper articles,encyclopedias and other reference books.
• Library databases are searchable. By Keywords, Subject, Author, Magazine Title, Date, etc.
• Library databases provide citation information.. Author, if available Title of Article Publication (Title of Magazine, Newspaper, or Reference Book) Publisher Date of Publication
• Library databases often contain full-text articles. You can print or email an entire article.
• There are different kinds of library databases For specific topics. Examples: Biography Resource Center, New Book of Popular Science For general topics Examples: ProQuest, World Book Online
• Library databases are paid for by taxpayer dollars.

How is a library database different from the Web?

Library databases	Websites
Library databases get their information from professionals or experts in the field.	Websites may be written by anyone regardless of expertise.
Library databases contain published works where facts are checked.	Website content is not necessarily checked by an expert.
Library databases are easy to cite in a bibliography and may create the citation for you.	Websites often don't provide the information necessary to create a complete citation.
Library databases can help you narrow your topic or suggest related subjects.	Websites often aren't organized to support a student's research needs.
Library databases are updated frequently and include the date of publication.	Websites may not indicate when a page is updated.

Questions to ask about ANY information

Currency: How recent is the information, and when was it last updated?
Organization: Is it easy to locate the information you need?
Accuracy: How reliable is the information, and are the facts accurate?
Bibliography: How easy is the work to cite in a bibliography? Does it give you the author, title, publisher, and date?
Unfamiliar Topics: How useful is it when you don't know where to start?
Languages: How easily can the work provide languages other than English?

Any source, whether a library database or website, can have good information. It is necessary to think critically of all information that you read or view.

	Websites	Librarian Selected Websites	Library Databases
Currency	Great	Great	Good
Organization	Fair	Good	Great
Accuracy	Fair	Great	Great
Bibliography	Fair	Good	Great
Unfamiliar Topics	Great	Good	Good
Languages	Good	Good	Fair

 

How do I access Hennepin County Library databases?

On TeenLinks, click the Do Your Homework link and then choose the topic of your research. You can find even more databases from our home page by clicking on "Research & Reference" or "Subject Guides".

HCL databases are available free in all branches of Hennepin County Library. Most HCL databases can be viewed from your home, school, or any computer which has Internet access. It is still free!

To logon to a database from outside the library click on the database title and, when prompted, enter your HCL registered library card number (this is printed under the bar code on the back of your library card). Click the ‘submit’ button to be forwarded to your selected database.

Go to Toolbox for Teachers for more information about library cards.

Need more help? Your local Hennepin County Library is ready to help you with your research needs. You can Ask Us in person, on the phone, online, or by e-mail.