eSources or eResources seem a better title than "databases" but what about "Reference Resources" or "Research Resources" or just plain "Resources," since that's what they are, ultimately. I think we need to stop focusing so much on the fact that these things are "electronic," since this is just how information is conveyed and we need to stop making people think there's something different or special about online databases. After all, we are ditching print in-favor of these databases, we want people to feel as confident in this information as they do with print resources.
I like this a great deal. Drilling down into each database to find a list of periodicals is difficult and many patrons just want to know if we have "Gene Therapy Weekly," no matter the format, without having to jump through hoops to find out. Nice that it includes print in-library titles as well as electronic.
I like a few of the sites that include web sites along with databases under the subject headings. If we did this we'd have to take special care to keep these sites updated and relevant. Also, we'd only want to link to the best sites that are useful as reference sources. This would probably mean dropping a few of the categories from the recommended sites page and possibly leaving some subject areas without websites. I'd be in-favor of this and of dropping the separate "recommended sites" area of LCPL's website entirely.
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I haven't looked extensively at Denver's website for a while, but I do like this search for periodical titles. I've often wished we had something similar. The JAKE sites seem to disappear, and while the Gale databases do have lists of their holdings, it takes time to load.
And yeah, calling databases "electronic" is rather redundant. I do think another word, like Research or Resources, would be more helpful in allowing us to put all our sources into one place (for instance, link to websites and databases as well as the catalog, including AV options).
I also like being able to discover journal holdings quickly and easily. The subject browse feature is only so-so, but a search on something obvious like Newsweek or Time brings up both physical and electronic holdings. Nice.
I've read several articles slamming library terminology, none of which had a good substitute for the word "databases." Begging Jessica's pardon, but I'm not sure "resources" is any better. "Research" might work, with a subheading. I haven't paid enough attention to what other libraries are calling it.
I'm glad you guys like mixing websites, databases, and other stuff on one page. It's a dream of mine...
Cufts is not a bad substitute for JAKE. Same with Fairfax County's Journal Search. I have to wonder who does the maintenance on the latter. Sounds like a lot of work everytime a database updates its holdings.
I think even "Subscription Databases" is better than "Online Databases" but "Research" sounds best.
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