Build Your Own Database

In this work, the authors demonstrate how to create quality in databases. They offer advice on: designing content with consideration of domain of coverage, accessibility, currency, critical mass, and other criteria; constructing databases with retrievability of useful information in mind; comparing the different types of database software with specific examples of those commonly used in libraries; and how to select the best tool. Guidance is also provided on strategies for indexing data, and how software features affect the structure of data, the handling of multiple record types, template design for easy updates, and other database capabilities.