The South Colonie Central School District subscribes to numerous Internet accessible information databases for all age levels. These are available to all district residents by obtaining a password from the librarian, which will allow you to access the list of all district-funded database passwords (pdf),

How are these databases different from an Internet search engine such as Google?

While their contents vary, online databases provide access to literally thousands of full text biographies, primary source documents, essays, encyclopedias, almanacs, reference books, pamphlets, newspapers, transcripts, photos, maps, and other sources that just would not be available otherwise. Search engines generally do not have access to these sources because companies make money by selling the rights to their publications. South Colonie and the New York State Library pay for subscriptions to these online databases to provide our students with access to these resources.

EBSCO is a worldwide leader in providing information access and management solutions through print and electronic journal subscription services, research database development and production, online access to more than 150 databases and thousands of e-journals.

EBSCO includes the following databases: EBSO Animals, General Science Collection, and TopicSearch.

EBSCO also includes NoveList K-8, a powerful search engine that helps students locate fiction books through topic searches. NoveList K–8 provides full-text reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal.

Gale is a world leader in educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses. Best known for its accurate and authoritative reference content as well as its intelligent organization of full-text magazine and newspaper articles.

Gale includes the following databases: Junior Edition K–12 (a periodical database designed for middle school students), Health reference Center Academic (a periodical database designed for students in grades 9 - college.)

World Book provides access to World Book Encyclopedia, an atlas, a dictionary and much more.

Brain Pop is an educational program, providing content spanning seven main subjects including: Science, Math, English, Social Studies, Health, Arts and Music and Technology.