Junior Library Guild

Before I left the school district my program manager asked me if I could give her a few points about why our district needed to keep its databases. In about 15 minutes, I gave her a list of twenty something. If you are working on your budget and you need reasons why, perhaps the following will give you some ammunition. And remember that those who don’t ask often never receive.

Here is the list I gave her (generically adapted for our purposes here), in no particular order.
1. District access provides equal access to all students, parents and staff 24/7.
2. All students don’t have access to libraries beyond school hours. (some schools not even then)
3. Databases are collaborative works consisting of scholarly articles from thousands of publications, insuring that information is researched and up to date.
4. Databases are continually updated as information changes.
5. Articles appear in full text.
6. Articles support the need for access to informational text required for Common Core State Standards.
7. Databases provide products for multiple reading levels.
8. Databases are translated into many languages, allowing for differentiation of instruction.
9. Using databases allows patrons to use articles in their research without worrying about copyright infringement.
10. Digital databases integrate well with i21 technology.
11. Individual schools have reduced budgeting, eliminating and reducing print and digital newspapers, journals and videos.
12. In schools with existing databases subscriptions, teachers and students have already received training in the use of these resources.
13. In schools with existing database subscriptions, teachers have already imbedded these resources into their whiteboard applications and lesson plans.
14. As features are improved, staff has access to new trainings in product development as part of the subscription cost.
15. Databases interact with online catalogs, allowing for one-stop information shopping, making best use of instructional time.
16. Multiple subject areas are included in databases- insuring that current information is available on all topics.
17. Many databases have unlimited user licenses, allowing all patrons to have immediate access.
18. Digital databases are online, so students can access information at school or at home- anywhere there is internet connectivity.
19. Many databases have mobile apps, allowing access to students on any device.
20. Databases have information in a variety of formats- text, audio, video and maps.
21. There are no sales ads.
22. Database information is selected for educational purposes, often by teachers and/or librarians. Students do not need to sift through hundreds of websites to determine if information is consistent, reliable authoritative and accurate.

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