Library Databases

Published: November 23, 2022
Updated: November 28, 2022

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.


 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

  • (2022, Oct 28) Arts and crafts market size & shares by 2028 | revenue, cost analysis, gross margins, future investment | segmentation by types, applications | key players, market dynamics.. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • (2022, Aug 23). Arts and crafts market worth USD 70234.67 million by 2027 | growth, size, shares, revenue, types, applications, key players, top countries, growing factors, key dynamics. . NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • (2021, Nov 23). The global K-12 arts and crafts material market is expected to grow by $ 512.64 mn during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 2.64% during the forecast period: Global K-12 arts and crafts material market 2021-2025 the analyst has been monitoring the K-12 arts and crafts material market and it is poised to grow by $ 512. 64 mn during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 2. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • (2021, Jan 29). Arts & crafts supplies market research report - global forecast to 2025 - cumulative impact of COVID-19: Arts & crafts supplies market research report - global forecast to 2025 - cumulative impact of COVID-19 market statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. . NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • (2022, February 10). Glass (flat, pressed & blown) and glass product (containers, packaging, bottles and tableware) manufacturing industry (U.S.) analytics, extensive financial benchmarks, metrics and revenue forecasts to 2028, NAIC 327200. Houston: Plunkett Research, Ltd. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • (2022, February 11). Specialized miscellaneous durable goods (including sporting goods, toys & games, jewelry and recyclables) distribution industry (U.S.) analytics, extensive financial benchmarks, metrics and revenue forecasts to 2028, NAIC 423900. Houston: Plunkett Research, Ltd. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
  • (2022, Oct 21).Canada: Minister Vandal announces nearly $200,000 through CanNor to support the growth and expansion of two Yukon small businesses. Asia News Monitor Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • Adhikari, R. (2021, Jun 30). Alina Prajapati: Transforming the pottery business.. New Business Age. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • (2022, Sep 14). United States : U.S. Department of Commerce invests $4.6 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support tourism-related business growth in the Lummi Nation. MENA Report Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
  • Harvey, Y. (2020, Nov 17). 'Our people have lost considerable income': Almonte indigenous business urges support for virtual marketplace. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

  • TBRC. (2022, May). Finished Wood Products Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB146G.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
  • TBRC (2020, November). Clay Product and Refractory Manufacturing Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB390C]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
  • BCC Publishing (2017, May). Transparent Ceramics: Technologies and Global Markets. [Report Code AVM115B]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

  • Templeton, L. (2021). African Design and Crafts Highlighted At Les Arts Décoratifs Exhibition. WWD: Women’s Wear Daily, 14. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Miller, R. K., & Washington, K. (2019). CHAPTER 3: ARTS & CRAFTS: 3.1: Market Assessment. Leisure Market Research Handbook, 31. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Miller, R. K., & Washington, K. (2019). CHAPTER 3: ARTS & CRAFTS: 3.3: Online Marketplace. Leisure Market Research Handbook, 32. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Miller, R. K., & Washington, K. (2019). CHAPTER 3: ARTS & CRAFTS: 3.5: Crafts Fairs and Festivals. Leisure Market Research Handbook, 33. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Blue Star Press Expands Millennial Lotería Brand, Arts and Crafts Titles. (2022). Publishers Weekly, 269(37), 41–42. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • MarketLine Company Profile: Etsy Inc. (2022). In Etsy, Inc. MarketLine Company Profile (pp. 1–19). Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • (2021). Learning high-impact tricks of the trade from artisan microbusinesses: Social examples of collaborative entrepreneurial capital conversions in the UK. Strategic Direction, 37(4), 3–5. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Bertoni, S. (2021). How Etsy Is Giving AI To Its Army Of 5 Million Artisan-Entrepreneurs To Build The Anti-Amazon. Forbes.Com. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
  • Elvekrok, I., & Tobiassen, A. E. (2020). Using a Magnifying Glass to Examine Network Formation Among Artisan Entrepreneurs. Proceedings of the European Conference on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, 242–250. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Wilkerson, J. M. (2021). Resolving the Artisan Entrepreneur’s Oppositional Identity With Venturing in a Declining City Context. American Journal of Management, 21(4), 30–43.
  • Solomon, S. J., & Mathias, B. D. (2020). The artisans’ dilemma: Artisan entrepreneurship and the challenge of firm growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(5). Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Manfredi Latilla, V., Frattini, F., Messeni Petruzzelli, A., & Berner, M. (2019). Knowledge management and knowledge transfer in arts and crafts organizations: evidence from an exploratory multiple case-study analysis. Journal of Knowledge Management, 23(7), 1335–1354. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Weiskott, M. (2017). Arts and Crafts, a Reliable Super Category. Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 16–26. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Krupets, Y., & Epanova, Y. (2021). Developing craft business in Russia: capitals and tactics of young cultural entrepreneurs. Cultural Trends, 1–15. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
  • Harel, R., Schwartz, D., & Kaufmann, D. (2019). Open Innovation in Small Businesses in the Industry and Craft Sectors. International Journal of Innovation Management, 23(4). Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

  • (2022) Jewelry Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 8/22/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022) Jewelry Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 5/30/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

  • McGrath, S. (2022, June). Soap & Cleaning Compound Manufacturing in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 32561CA / MANUFACTURING IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Kanda, S. (2021, August). Household Furniture Manufacturing in Canada \ CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 33712CA / MANUFACTURING IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Moreno, A. (2022, October). Jewelry Manufacturing in the US. US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 33991 / MANUFACTURING. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Guirguis, J. (2022, June). Candle Manufacturing in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT 4260 / CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Dalal, M. (2022, September). Paper Products Manufacturing in the US. US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 32229b / MANUFACTURING. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database
  • Kanda, S. (2021, September). Toy, Doll, and Game Manufacturing in Canada. CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 33993CA / MANUFACTURING IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • DellaCamera, C. (2022, February). Small Specialty Retail Stores in Canada. CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 45399aCA / RETAIL TRADE IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, March). Furniture: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, April). E-Commerce: Canada. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, June). E-Commerce: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

  • (2022) Jewelry Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 8/22/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022) Jewelry Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 5/30/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022). A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 

 

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

  • Tighe, D. (2022, January 14). Value of the arts and crafts market worldwide from 2017 to 2024. Value Market Research. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Tighe, D. (2022, March 10). Retail sales of arts and crafts in the U.S. from 2019 to 2021. Toy Industry Association. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Tighe, D. (2021, November 29). Canadian consumer Christmas shopping attitudes 2021. Retail Council of Canada. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • Statista Research Department. (2015, August 26). U.S. consumers' degree of quality association with "craft" 2015. Harris Poll. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • Statista Research Department. (2014, August 25). Retail sales value of the gardening decoration and indoor crafts market in North America* from 2008 to 2016. HKExnews. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • Statista Research Department. (2013, November 25). Reasons given by Aborginal peoples for making art, crafts or clothing in Canada in 2012, by identity. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • Statista Research Department. (2013, November 25). Reasons given by Aborginal peoples for making art, crafts or clothing in Canada in 2012, by identity. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • Statista Research Department. (2013, November 25). Reasons given by Aborginal peoples for making art, crafts or clothing in Canada in 2012, by region. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database. 

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

  • (2022). American Express: #BackingWomenArtisans. SABRE Awards. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • Nair, K. (2022, September 15). “Marketing needs marketing”: The curious case of Tony’s Chocolonely. Publicis Groupe. Retrieved from WARC database. 
  • (2022, November). What we know about cultural insight. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • (2022, February). The WARC Guide to Communicating Value. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • (2021, April). A casual flirtation or a committed relationship? Assessing the post-pandemic stickiness of product subscriptions. Research on WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • Klein, M. (2021, October 15). Overlook the cliches of the creator economy. Zine. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • Kim, T., Kim, H, and Kim, Y. (2019). How do brands’ Facebook posts induce consumers’ e-word-of-mouth behavior? Informational versus emotional message strategy: A computational analysis. Journal of Advertising Research, 59(4). Retrieved from WARC database.
  • Giles, A. (2017) The future of retailing: never mind the quality, feel the personalisation. Market Leader. Retrieved from WARC database. 
  • (2018). Stonemill Slow Crafted Bakehouse: Slow Crafted Enjoyment. Institute of Communication Agencies, Silver, CASSIES. Retrieved from WARC database. 
  • (2016).Haagen-Dazs: Crafted. SABRE Awards: New Product. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • (2015, October 12). Amazon offers ‘handmade’ goods. WARC. Retrieved from WARC database.

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

  • (2022, Nov 12). Unique finds await at christmas markets. Toronto Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
  • (2022). 'Conscious beauty': Jennilee Cardinal-Schultz offers sustainable approach to cosmetics at Green Tree Beauty. The Star-Phoenix. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
  • 2021, Dec 02). 'Our first year was a whirlwind': The maker's mark, selling artisan crafts in Newmarket, marks first anniversary. Era - Banner. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
  • (2021, Oct 10). Art from the heart: Mary Commanda crafts custom dreamcatchers and, in the process, shares her knowledge of Indigenous culture. Toronto Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
  • Crawford, T. (2022). Holiday events in Metro Vancouver: Concerts, crafts fairs, light displays and more. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
  • Pruden, J. G. (2021). Globe craft club: From knitting to miniatures to paper flowers, catch up on all our lessons: Revisit the crafts we've learned in livestreamed events with feature writer Jana G. Pruden and special guests, including embroidery, making notebooks and painting with watercolours. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.