A database is a collection of data (information), organized for easy retrieval. For example, a list of names and telephones of your friends, arranged alphabetically, is a database. Usually, however, the word, database, refers to a computerized, searchable, list.
A library catalog is a database of materials created for a library. It will describe the materials (books, etc.) and tell you if they are available or checked out to someone else.
In libraries, what we usually refer to as databases are lists of articles from periodicals (newspapers and magazines) that can be searched in various ways: title, author, subject, date, etc. Many of these databases are "full-text" which means that you can find the whole article that you are searching for, not just the information about that article. NYADI and the NYS Library have made the databases described in the box below available to you.
If you are looking for information for a school project or personal use, check out some of these databases and get reliable articles, selected for credibility, and seldom available on the open web through search engines such as, Google or Yahoo. Your librarian can help you.
Statewide Access to Electronic Information from the New York State Library at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/esubject.htm#NOVELNY Databases
NOVELNY is funded by federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What is NOVELNY?
Provided by the New York State Library, NOVELNY is an online virtual library connecting New Yorkers to 21st century information via libraries and library systems statewide.
NOVELNY is an electronic resource access project that enables libraries across New York State to give their communities online access to the full text of thousands of journals, newspapers and other references.
Currently, NOVELNY provides online access to several database products. These include:
GALE CENGAGE LEARNING
PROQUEST
SCHOLASTIC
Job Resources
The Job Seekers page at novelnewyork.org/jobseekers.php provides links to various job resources.
What other resources are available?
The Current Events page at novelnewyork.org/events.php provides a link to selected newspaper resources.
Who is eligible to participate in NOVELNY, and what benefits do they receive?
Participation is available to all not-for-profit member libraries of library systems in New York State, and Charter Schools to the extent permitted by negotiations and contractual limitations. Every $1 the State invests results in a minimum of $35 worth of access at the local level. NOVELNY may be accessed from any eligible library in the state. Libraries may also choose to offer library users remote access to NOVELNY from their homes, schools or workplaces 24 hours a day, 7days a week. Every New Yorker can search NOVELNY from www.novelnewyork.org via geoIP authentication without entering a driver license number as long as they are in New York State.
What are the origins of NOVELNY?
The Board of Regents, at their July 13, 2000, meeting, adopted the final report of the Regents Commission on Library Services, Meeting the Needs of all New Yorkers: Library Service in the New Century, as Regents policy. Recommendation one in this report is to “Create NOVEL, the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library, to deliver high-quality, reliable digital information to all New Yorkers.”
How is NOVELNY funded?
NOVELNY is supported in large part with temporary federal funds through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).