May 26, 2015

Question

Joy Garretson (MS)

I just received an interesting answer from a librarian about what she’s counting as a database as her library. Here is my question (in black) and her reply (in red):

• Question 17.1 (Local databases): You report that you purchase 17 additional databases for your library system. I couldn’t find them on your website—would you mind sharing that list with me?

According to the instructions on the MS Public Library Annual Statistical Report a CD-ROM with data accessed electronically qualifies as a database. We have some CD-ROMs that are used in the Library & some that check out. The following CD-ROMs (windows or MAC compatible) are what we counted:

2 disc - City Directories

1 set (6 disc) - New Yorker: 1925-2005

1 disc - Expository Dictionary

1 disc - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

5 disc – Core Learning Health Beats Series on Health Education

1 disc – The World Encyclopedia of Roses

1 disc – Biology: The Unity & Diversity of Life (text)

1 disc – Faith in Every Footstep: 150 years of Mormon Pioneer 1847-1997

1 disc – Microsoft Office 2010 (text)

4 disc – Microsoft Publisher 2003 (text)

4 disc – Microsoft Word 2003 (text)

4 disc – Microsoft Powerpoint 2003 (text)

I’m a little boggled here. I can see some of these as counting as databases, but I’m having a real problem with them counting Microsoft Publisher/Word/PowerPoint 2003 as databases.

Also, The New Yorker? Wouldn’t that be more of like an anthology?

And is the Encyclopedia of Mormonism not…just an encyclopedia?

She’s using this definition:

Note: The data or records are usually collected with a particular intent and relate to a defined topic. A database may be issued on CD-ROM, diskette, or other direct access method, or as a computer file accessed via dial-up methods or via the Internet. Each database is counted individually even if access to several databases is supported through the same vendor interface.

What do y’all think about all this? I could maybe come up with the answer on my own, but Excel has killed my brain for the day.

Help!

SDC Comments

Katrice Stewart (FL)

(Good morning, Joy!)

I can’t possibly imagine a time when Microsoft products would count as a database…Interesting interpretation on the part of the director but I still don’t see it…

Terry Blauvelt (MO)

Hi Joy,

I guess my question is for the non-program CD’s, is do they have a user interface that allows them to be searched and manipulated. If they do not, then I would think they would be e-book(s) on CD. I’m guessing New Yorker would be a magazine collection on CD.

My two cents. It’s all I have at this point in the morning .

Michael Golrick (LA)

Hello from the road...

The Microsoft discs? No way. And she should be counting titles, not discs. We used to have Encyclopedia Britannica as one of our statewide databases, so I do not have a problem with counting the title as a database. If the New Yorker is searchable, and has all the cartoons, it could be a good resource. Likewise the Mormon items. I would give her credit for 8.

Just my opinion...

Scott Dermont (IA)

I would struggle with counting any of that list as a database. I definitely would not count text books or “multimedia” CD-Roms as databases. I would definitely take the Biology and Faith in every Footstep discs off that list. I personally think the others are marginal at best. None of them really fit what I would consider to be a database. Just because an encyclopedia is on disc, it doesn’t mean that it is a database. It is an encyclopedia. In 1995 we might call it a database. In 2015 we might call it a searchable E-book. And definitely do not count the office products. But that is just my opinion.

Joy Garretson (MS)

Thanks all!

The Microsoft discs are still making my head hurt! I appreciate the input! I just couldn’t make sense of it yesterday because I didn’t feel like any of those were database material.

My problem with counting the Encyclopedia on CD-ROM as a database is that it’s not dynamically changing/updated/kept current/reissued in the way that an online subscription might be.

Either way, I’ll let all of you know whenever that system decides to weed those Microsoft CD-Roms in case you’ve got a hankering to re-experience computer life from 2003!