Re: [LM_NET] Why databases instead of the Web?

[Brent Bradley <bsb_lib@YAHOO.COM>]

I'd like to suggest that on the face of it, there's no good reason why you're not 
right, and we need to be sure that databases are better than the web, or we're 
guilty of not doing our jobs.
 
How about you do a simple test with some of your students: five use these "general 
databases" (what exactly are those, by the way?) and five use whatever search 
engines etc they can find. Then compare results after a set period of time. If 
there is no difference, then drop whatever "general databases" you're paying for, 
and PLEASE let us all know what these are that are no better than JeevesYahooGoogle 
or whatever.
 
Floyd <calaf@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
At the risk of being simplistic or argumentative, why do school library 
media centers need to continue subscribing to general databases for 
student research? Databases with specialized information continue to 
have a niche, but could it not be argued for the run of the mill 
research paper, students can and do find quality information without 
sifting through five different databases?

Floyd

Floyd Pentlin
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
-----
Region III Director, American Association of School Librarians
........................................................................ 
........................
Adjunct Professor, Library Science Faculty, Central Missouri State 
University
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
----
ANSWER MACHINE/FAX: 660.747.0683 - E-MAIL: calaf@charter.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
----
"I need a pencil sharpener," said Tom bluntly."

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------


***
"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social 
transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence 
of the good people."
--Martin Luther King
***
Brent Bradley, LMS at Valley View Community & Henry Wilson Memorial in Farmington, 
NH
bsb underscore lib at yahoo dot com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------