Research Databases

How to Access the LAUSD Databases:

Collections of journal articles, newspaper, maps, videos and other types of resources accessible only through paid subscriptions that are available for all LAUSD students and employees.

ON/OFF CAMPUS: The LAUSD Digital Library app is now accessible through Schoology with your Single Sign-On (LAUSD email and password). Here is a video to show you how to log in.

STEP 1: Log into Schoology. https://lms.lausd.net/home

STEP 2: Select "Students"

STEP 3: Sign-in using your school email and password

STEP 4: Click the four squares button (between the calendar and the magnifying glass) located on the upper right hand side of the blue bar.

STEP 5: Select the "LAUSD Digital Library"

Scroll down to learn more about what databases are, to read descriptions of each database, or to get tips on choosing a database.

About the LAUSD Digital Library

What is the Digital Library?

A digital library provides access to scholarly digital sources including subscription databases and encyclopedias for easy access to accurate information. If you are doing academic research you should use this or the library catalog for your research.

What is a database?

A database is like a digital file cabinet; it organizes a collection of information to make the information searchable and accessible. A collection is any group of information/knowledge sources (magazine articles, books, papers, images, sound files, and videos).

How do I know which database to use?

What kind of information you are looking for will determine which resources you use. For a general overview, you might use an encyclopedia. For more in depth research, you might use a database, listed alphabetically below with brief descriptions, including types of sources and subjects to help you choose which is best for your research. Using scholarly tools for research will save you the time of having to verify the accuracy and credibility of sources you might find in a general internet search through a commercial search engine, such as Google or Yahoo.

Databases by Subject

Description of Databases

ENCYCLOPEDIAS

World Book (S) and Britannica

excellent starting points for research
give you an overview of your topic and to fill in gaps of background knowledge needed to clearly write about your topic
are updated nightly, so contain the most current information
written by researchers who gather and consolidate verified information (unlike Wikipedia) so you can be sure that the information here is accurate and up-to-date; here is an great article about the importance of encyclopedias and insight into how they are created.
provides information at three reading levels: elementary, middle, and high school
Spanish version available in World Book (see buttons on bottom of the home page).
Britannica has a teacher/CCSS resource section.

DATABASES

Click the PDF file to read a brief description about each of the databases available .

The District subscribes to several databases that provide full-text access to credible articles from magazines, newspapers, journals and reference sources. Here is a curated list by Subject.