General Websites vs. Online Databases
What's the difference?
General Web "Google" Resources
What you’re used to
Google search results
Works openly published by anyone
Varying quality
Varying authority
Since they're "open":
Copy-and-pasted URLs (links) work
To print, try printfriendly.com with URLs
"Library" Online Databases
What you’ll use a lot in college
Digital version of traditionally published works
More consistent quality
Clear authority
Since they're "locked":
May require use of "permalinks" to re-access
Use database-generated citations
To print, use database "print" links/buttons
Why databases?
Searching with Google doesn't let you access a lot of published content that you can access with library databases.
Library databases include digital versions of magazines, journals, and other scholarly works that you normally have to buy or may be paywalled.
Database content is expensive, but you get it for free since GUHSD and the state of California pays for your access!
College-Ready Researching
Learning how to use databases is important preparation for college. Most of the work that you do in college will require you to use library databases and you will have access to even more!
How many databases are offered by different colleges?
Harvard University - Notice there are many special databases for different areas of study!
Navigating to Library Online Databases
On the WHHS Library Website, there is a quick link to Online Databases at the top.
Using embedded database search boxes
On the WHHS Library Website, there are also embedded search boxes for the:
EBSCOhost's Discovery Search*
*Includes Easy Search plus moreProQuest Databases*
*Includes eLibrary plus more
On this project website, you can find more information about these general online databases starting on these pages: