Criteria for Evaluating On-line Databases

Content
     Number of full-text documents
     Number of magazines indexed
     Number of newspapers indexed
     TV, Radio, included
     Maps
     Reference Books
     Historic Documents
     Classic Literature
     Photos
     Pictures
     Works of Art
     Currency of items
     Duplicates eliminated

Search Capabilities
     Natural language query
     Search limiters ( date, author, title, publications, etc)
     Integrated spelling check of query
     Boolean searching
     Ranking by relevancy
     Ranking by grade level
     Ranking by date
     Advanced Searching
     Saving searches
     Marking articles
     Email capabilities
     Partial document printing
     Easy full text printing
     Password for printing and saving available
     Search within a search (go to best part)
     Citation prints on all documents

Support
     Easy to install and upgrade
     All platforms covered
     Home use
     School use
     Tech by phone
     Tech support hours/west coast or east coast
     Statistical info on use
     Training
     List serv/bulletin board
     Contests
     Feedback

Cost
     Unlimited use same price
     Price by content
     District price break
     State bid available

Other
     Multi cultural viewpoint
     Foreign language newspapers
     Current contest
     Easy to find what's new
     Monthly subject databases
     Downtime for updating
     Ability to adjust/change screens
 

Bibliography

 Karp, Rashelle.  "Comparing Three Full-Text Journal Services."  Booklist.  15 May 1998.
 EBSCOhost, ProQuest and InfoTrac SearchBank are compared in areas of scope, indexing, search functions, coverage, and hits
.
 Pearlmutter, Jane.  "Which Online Resources are Right for Your Collection?"   School Library Journal.  June 1999.
 Guidelines for developing policies for virtual resources are discussed.

 Valenza, Joyce Kasman.  "Electronic Reference Roundup: A Game of Tetris."   MultiMedia Schools.  September/October 1998.
 http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/sep98/valenza.htm
 This excellent article includes comparison charts that will clarify what is available from each of the major players in the electronic reference game.  A "must read" before you buy.

 Yale University Library.  "Licensing Digital Information: A Resource for Librarians."  Accessed 5 August 1999.  http://www.library.yale.edu/~llicense/index.shtml