According to Encyclopedia Britannica: database, also called electronic database, is a collection of data, or information, specially organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer.
A library database is a searchable electronic index of published, reliable resources. Databases provide access to a wealth of useful research materials from academic journals, newspapers, and magazines. Some databases also include e-books, relevant web resources, and various multimedia.
The information found in databases is either originally created or comes from different, reliable sources.
NOTE: Databases are not “Internet" sources. RSU Libraries subscribes to databases and they are only accessible to RSU students, faculty and staff.