Electronic Databases
(a.k.a periodical indexes)

Database: an organized collection of information,
usually pertaining to a particular subject.

Think of databases as huge electronic filing systems. They must be highly organized for people to easily find the information they need.

There are many kinds of databases. The most common type you will encounter in the library is an online periodical index, which points you to articles published in magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Each year millions of articles are published in periodicals, most of which are indexed in periodical indexes. Your library will own many -- but may not own all – of the periodicals included in those indexes.