What is an electronic database?

An electronic database is a searchable electronic collection of resources. There are two basic types of databases:

• Indexes or bibliographic databases
• Full-text databases.

Indexes or bibliographic databases, also known as indexing and abstracting services, provide:

• Indexing information for topical searching across resources in multiple formats (including multidisciplinary searches)
• Abstracts (short descriptions) of the contents (eg. articles), to help you decide if it is relevant to your research.

Full-text databases provide the same services as above, but also include the full text of articles, allowing you to read it online, or download it for offline reading.

These databases allow the University Library to provide students and staff of Notre Dame with access to thousands of  journals, as well as ebooks, newspaper articles, reports; pictures, and streaming video content.

Notes: The University Library uses the term eResources to include all our databases as well as apps and other electronic content that we subscribe to. The database contents and most of the eResources are not owned by the University but licensed from the various providers. These licenses restrict access to currently enrolled students and contracted staff, and prevents re-use or re-publication of the materials they contain.