What is a Subscription Database?

A database is like a virtual library. It is a searchable collection of regularly updated reference articles, encyclopedia and dictionary entries, magazine and newspaper articles, excerpts from books, book reviews, eBooks, primary sources and images. Citations are always included.  And, it is all available online. When you search one of these databases, you are searching pre-selected material that is the equivalent of what you might find on a library shelf in print.

Who can use them?

All students, teachers, staff, parents and administrators in the SFUSD community have access both on site and remotely from any computer with a connection to the Internet.

Why Should We Use Them?

• Databases contain information that is not available “for free” and therefore cannot be found with a Google search.

• Unlike most information published on the Internet, much information found through searching databases:

  • Comes from originally published print resources

  • Has been evaluated by professionals for reliability
    
    

How do we access them?

All SFUSD logins provided are to use the databases remotely; while on site no login is required except for NoodleTools. SFPL databases require your Scholar Card 14-digit SFPL library account number and 4-digit PIN.