Some of the things that you can state that support the use of online
databases include:
* access to information that is both accurate and authoritative
(issues that we strive to teach our students when they look, browse or
wander aimlessly through the Internet. Using databases allows us to
direct students to some of the "best" materials out there. Using the
Internet alone can provide some resources; however, the majority of the
information on the Internet (at the surface level) contains
advertisements or product services / sales--- to provide our students
with the same types of information that might be found through online
databases, we (teachers / librarians) would need to search, locate and
evaluate information from the "deep web" in order to "bring up" those
pieces of information for our students---online databases provide this
to us in formats based upon the subject content of the database (in
other words, Literature Resource Center would not only offer full-text
versions of printed materials that we might not be able to purchase for
our library in print, but also provide us with online websites of
authoritative subject matter written by professionals---much of which is
often posted / housed through university sites that are not easily
located through simple searches.)
* online resources are more up-to-date that most print materials
and help to supplement the curriculum through a large variety of
materials purchased through one sources; in other words, you couldn't
possibly afford to subscribe to 100+ periodicals that contain up-to-date
information about specific subjects (science, history, current events)
but your databases allow you to have this information at a minimal cost
to the school district--thus providing the current information to large
numbers of students without the cost of purchasing the printed
materials, as well as the cost of processing or housing the materials
physically.
* online databases allow students the opportunity to utilize skills
that are needed in high school and college; the use of keyword
searching, Boolean logic, and restructuring online searches through
databases are skills that become valuable as technology increases;
students who are able to do this early will be able to have an advantage
over those students who are not familiar with online resources at high
levels of education.
* online databases are no longer "frills"---these are essential
resources that make our students competitive in higher education and in
professional careers; in order for us to create students who are
effective users of information, we must continue to present, offer, and
supply information in a variety of resources that directly relate to the
future of their education; online databases may appear to be a "waste"
of money to those who do not know how to effectively use them
(Internet-only users); however, once many of these individuals are
taught how to locate information through these types of resources, they
become aware of the power that they provide them because not only is
information found effectively, the quality of the content surpasses
anything that might be found through Internet searching alone.
=20
Just some ideas....
Shonda Brisco, Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian, Fort Worth, TX
briscos@trinityvalleyschool.org
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU <mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> ] On
Behalf Of Gail's school mail
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 7:35 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Keeping Online Databases
We have had online databases for the last three years and I have made
them an important part of my library curriculum. I can truly make each
child successful with these databases. This year our principal wants me
to eliminate some of my databases, unless I can convince him they are
absolutely necessary. Money is very tight here and he needs to use the
money for other things. I want to keep all my databases because they are
wonderful. ("Wonderful and successful" doesn't convince him.) I did a
statistical accounting of each database for the last year and came up
with usage statistics, which I plan to give to him. Has anyone else
fought this battle and kept their online databases? Would you share with
me your written documentation and how to present the statistics in such
a way that we don't have to give online databases up. Thank you so much
for our help.
Gail Borio
Christian Academy of Knoxville
gaborio@esper.com
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