[Eril-l] EXTERNAL: Inquiry on guidelines for A-Z Database lists

Tue Apr 9 07:56:36 PDT 2024

Hi all,
We are also in the process of updating our A-Z list. We list mostly
everything we subscribe to/pay for as well as a few open access resources,
but we are also not exhaustive about these and may end up eliminating them
at some point for easier maintenance. We currently have about 200 databases
in our A-Z list.

One constant challenge I am curious about is how others handle collections
from Gale. We currently have 200 databases in our A-Z list and nearly 70
are from Gale. We don't even include all the sub-collections in Archives
Unbound. It is a lot to maintain and while listing all of them versus just
some seems to be easier for tracking, I know many are not used and am
tempted to hide them at the least. There is also the challenge of the
periodic database name change and the maintenance that comes with that. If
others have an approach to these collections, it would be great to hear.

Best,
Nancy

On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 10:26 AM Electronic Resources in Libraries
discussion list via Eril-l <eril-l at lists.eril-l.org> wrote:

> Everything we pay money for is on the list.  I check it a couple of times
> a year to make sure everything is still responding, URLs haven't changed,
> and so forth.  (Large database vendors are pretty good about stable URLs
> and forwarding old URLs, but some of the smaller places... oy vey!).  We
> get most of our databases as part of a package deal from the Texas State
> Libraries and Archives Commission, so I monitor their mailing list and
> website for announcements of database changes and additions.
>
> We also include some open access resources if they are reasonably general
> and/or relevant to our university's instructional goals (e.g., the
> Directory of Open Access Journals several free music databases for our very
> busy music department, the Occupational Outlook Handbook for our career
> center, etc.) but we don't obsessively track down every OA resource ever.
>
> We have (currently) 98 databases and other resources, so we worry a bit
> about having too many databases for our students to reasonably keep track
> of.  I suspect that most of them just use our discovery portal and search
> everything, even if it would be better to focus more tightly on one
> database...
>
>
> Tony Zbaraschuk
>
>
> *Tony Zbaraschuk*
>
> Public Services Librarian, Assistant Professor – Library
>
> Chan Shun Centennial Library
>
> 100 West Hillcrest Street | Keene | Texas | 76059
>
> www.swau.edu | 817-202-6480 | tony.z at swau.edu
>
>
>
> [image: 1562774135912]
>
>
>
>
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> ------------------------------
> *From:* Eril-l <eril-l-bounces at lists.eril-l.org> on behalf of Electronic
> Resources in Libraries discussion list via Eril-l <eril-l at lists.eril-l.org
> >
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 9, 2024 6:33 AM
> *To:* eril-l at lists.eril-l.org <eril-l at lists.eril-l.org>
> *Subject:* EXTERNAL:[Eril-l] Inquiry on guidelines for A-Z Database lists
>
> *Warning:* The sender of this message could not be validated, and may not
> be the actual sender.
> Hi, everyone --
>
> We are gathering information on guidelines for alphabetical lists of
> databases and/or electronic resources. How do you all decide which
> subscription resources to include in your library’s Database list? Does
> your list also include Open Access resources? If so, how do you decide
> which OA resources to include/exclude? Even if your library doesn't have
> formal guidelines, it would be great to hear from you.
>
> Please feel free to email me directly. Thanks in advance for any
> information you're willing to share!
>
> Best,
> Karen
>
> ---
> *Karen H. Gau, MSLIS (she/her)*
> Health Sciences Collections Librarian
> VCU Libraries | Health Sciences Library
> Virginia Commonwealth University
> 509 N. 12th St., Box 980582, Richmond, VA 23298-0582
> (804) 828-0638 | gaukh at vcu.edu | library.vcu.edu/hsl
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>

-- 
*Nancy Schuler, MLIS (she/her/hers)*
Assistant Professor, e-Resources & Serials Librarian
Liaison to the Creative Arts Collegium
Eckerd College Library <https://www.eckerd.edu/library/>
Schedule appointment <https://libcal.eckerd.edu/appointment/5759>
727.864.8357

Eckerd College <https://www.eckerd.edu/library>
4200 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33711
[image: Eckerd College logo]
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