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Charleston Library Conference Award

nest, a groundbreaking suite of library comparison analytics built upon the bird platform, arrives January 2025. Learn more here

bird: Base Inventory of Research Databases is a comprehensive reference and current awareness application, profiling 7,900+ subscription and Open Access databases.

bird is a 'first stop' guide for selectors, collection strategists, library administrators and advanced researchers.

Image of text reading 'The database of research databases'
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ON THE WING

With 7,900+ resources identified thus far, bird gives researchers the widest field of view. We look everywhere, allowing you to uncover materials that transcend predictable sources.

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ON A BRANCH

bird matches to your local dB collection. Compare with peers, while identifying gaps or redundancies. Save countless hours and fruitless searches.

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ON THE GROUND

bird profiles are extensive. Data includes disciplinary focus, format (Open Access or subscription), language, time frame, comparable products, along with original editorial narratives.

With 50 years of library research experience to draw upon, bird is a collaboration of Paratext (1993) and Compendium Library Services (2006.)

Our research librarians monitor all major and minor database vendors, to increase your awareness and refine your collection--while saving you countless hours of searching.

bird is updated daily with new profiles and expanded metadata, covering all academic research disciplines.