The database “thing” state-by-state

In my job teaching new librarians, mostly online, I get to meet new professionals from around the country, some from around the world, some who are utterly unsure where their first professional job will take them.

Though I am very familiar with the state resources of PA, and I am getting to know those of NJ, I realize I am not all that knowledgeable of what existed beyond the two states I spend the most time in.

I meet with educators and many others who seem quite unaware of the resources provided for citizens by their state libraries.  When I think of state library-supported subscription databases I think of both fabulous potential and waste.  I think of how these resources present opportunities for equity of access.  But so many folks I meet don’t even realize they are a thing.

So here’s  a little proof of concept interactive map that I hope might be used for instruction and advocacy.  As I collected the links, I saw significant variety among the resources.   In some cases, I discovered that the resources were awfully hard to discover.

(I hope I have the right links for each state.  Please let me know if I don’t and please let me know if you’d be interested in helping me edit and grow the map with content from major public libraries.)
Note:  This interactive map is a follow-up to my chart below offering rationale for database use.  For this one, I mashed-up Piktochart with Thinglink.

Filed under: collection, databases, research