How important are the Online databases in rendering different types of library services?
The idea of sharing information has led to the concept of online databases. A database is a non-redundant, multi-usable, independent and physically available set of data elements, stored in an organized and structured manner to allow user to search the information in an interactive mode. The first databases were bibliographic in nature and were online version of existing indexing and abstracting services such as Biological Abstracts, Index Medicus, Chemical Abstracts, etc. By the year 1988, only half of all databases were bibliographic. With introduction of a number of online databases containing textual information, news, statistics, commodity prices, etc. A third type of databases holding text of full-length documents started appearing. Several full text of encyclopaedia, directories and articles from selected journals are now available online. The number of public-domain databases available for searching is growing every year. Thousands of databases are now available on compact disc
