Databases

[] I started with my own district because I am working on building my website, and I know I don’t have any of the //Gale// resources linked from the elementary page (and they weren’t there last year either). District wide, teachers have access to the databases through our “launchpad” that comes up when a teacher logs on to a computer, the district website comes up when a student logs on. At the elementary, we do have //NetSmartz// access. We do have a “Gale Search” link on the district home page that leads you to //Business and Company ASAP, Discovering Collection, Business and Company Resource Center,// and //Kids InfoBits//” Off campus, you must enter your library card number for access. This presents a problem for me because at the elementary, my students do not actually have cards. From the secondary library page, there are buttons that link to eight different //Gale// resources, but when I clicked on them, it told me I was not authorized to view the product, I’m assuming they are only available at the secondary building. There is no information on the site explaining how to access these resources. I was really disappointed in our district for this. I do know that it is something I will address with the secondary librarian and our tech coordinator to get fixed on her end and to get it set up on my end.
 * Crest Ridge School District, Centerview, MO **

[] I did not find any references to //Gale// resources on this site at all. They did have a “resources” page, with many resources available, but none of them were //Gale// related as far as I could tell.
 * Hazel Grove Elementary, Lee’s Summit, MO **

[] Not even a library page, let alone resources. I also did not see a name for a librarian on either the elementary, secondary, or district faculty directory.
 * Northwest Elementary School, Houstonia, MO **

[] YEAH! This website had the resource links on the navigation on the district site, and not hidden within a building/library page. They have one link for all of the //Gale// resources, it takes to the //MOREnet// login page, so I’m not sure what is available after that. This site does state right at the top of the screen that some of the databases are only accessible from school. The resources are just listed by name with no annotation.
 * Putnam County, Unionville, MO **

[] [] This middle school site led me to an all-district resources page. They have many resources and databases listed. Each is linked as an icon, rather than text, but none have annotations. At the top of the list it states: “All District Online Resources require a login and password, or ID to be accessed from home. Please see your librarian for further information.” Once again, there is a single link to the //Gale// resources, instead of listing the individual ones. Other resources include: //The Library Spot//, //RefDesk//, and //Atomic Learning//.
 * Jarrett Middle School, Springfield, MO **

[] I liked how the Jefferson City High School had their catalog and databases all located on the same page. There were over 20 databases on their list. They were divided up by subject area and each one had an annotation. Included on their site from //Gale// are: //DISCovering Collection//, and //Business & Company Resource Center//. They only discussion it offered about accessing the databases offline was the //MOREnet// page itself. Others databases included: //Missouri Connections//, //News Bank//, and //Sirs//.
 * Jefferson City High School, Jefferson City, MO **

[] On the library page, right after a list of librarians, is directions on how to access the “electronic sources.” On the sources page it gives a list of the available tells whether a password is required to access them. Again, just one link to //Gale// databases. Other available sources include //Discovery Education, Newsbank//, and //Streaming Video//.
 * Central High School, Cape Girardeau, MO **

[] I was impressed with this site, and elementary school library with an extensive list of databases. The top link in the navigation bar was for the databases, and it was very easy to locate. Each one was annotated so that students will know what they are accessing. Included in the list were //Gale Research Products, Gale Kids InfoBits, Gale Discoveing Collection//, along with EBSCO resources such as //Searchasaurus, Kids Search, NewsBank//, and //Learning Express//. Many of the individual sites asked for a library card or a username in order to gain access. It didn’t mention anything on the site itself about off-campus accessibility.
 * Chesterfield Elementary, Eureka, MO **

[] This site was very difficult to navigate. In order to reach the library website, I had to know the librarian, which meant I had to search the faculty page first. When I finally got to the library site, there was little there and no mention of databases or resources. If they are available to students, they are not publicizing them at all. I was disappointed that it was easier to find information about the yearbook, than it was the library.
 * South Harrison County Junior/Senior High School, Bethany MO **

[]' Yet another small district with no mention whatsoever of online databases. The library page had a couple of links, but not to any searchable databases.
 * Wellington-Napoleon Junior/Senior High School **

Overall, I can really tell a difference between larger public school districts and smaller districts. I can imagine that much of this does with the limits of staffing that smaller schools are faced with. I had noticed that there was not a librarian listed in any of the faculty in some of the smaller schools. From experience, the librarian and technology person are some of the first cuts in smaller schools. Although I can see this as a reason, it is not an excuse. Students all over the state need the same access to these free resources. If they are provided, why aren’t school districts publicizing their use and availability. I just don’t understand.

I also noticed a big difference in elementary versus secondary schools. There seemed to be much more available on the secondary side of things. I’m sure part of this is due to the nature of the databases, but when you have things such as //Kids InfoBits// and //NetSmartz//, more elementary students should be exposed and familiar with them. They will never learn how to use these types of resources if they aren't exposed to them.

I hate the fact that it appears that using //Gale// databases and resources appears to be a practice that only high schools in large districts are taking advantage of.