Library Databases

Published: March 23, 2023

Updated: March 23, 2023

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 U.S. motion pictures & video production industry-industry & market report. (2021). (). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Companies in the film and video industry are using technologies such as virtual production for enhanced product quality: Segments covered: By type – film and video production, film and video distribution, post-production services, film and video theatres, other film and video industries; by genre – action, horror, comedy, documentary, drama, others. (2021, Jan 14). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Akser, M. (2020). Cinema, life and other viruses: The future of filmmaking, film education and film studies in the age of covid-19 pandemic. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 8(2), 1-13. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Eduvos graphic design alum making waves in film industry (2022). Cape Town: SyndiGate Media Inc. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
The film and episodic VFX market to create over $5 billion opportunity globally; adoption of AR & VR technology booming in the market.\. (2023, Mar 01). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Film distribution market size forecast period of 2022 to 2029: (new report): Detailed investigation of global market size, regional and country-level market, manufacturers data, opportunity, import export scenario. (2022, Nov 06). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Virtual production market size worth USD 7.19 billion by 2029 | report by fortune business insights: According to fortune business insights, the global virtual production market size is projected to reach USD 7.19 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period, 2022-2029. (2023, Jan 16). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Canada : Manitoba government leads delegation to Los Angeles to promote local film industry and province as ideal location for investment. (2022, Nov 02). MENA Report. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Cinespace studios to lease PortsToronto's marine terminal 52 property to develop studio facility and support growing media production business in Toronto. (2022, Sep 27). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Canada : Ontario supporting film production, business expansion in Nipissing. (2019, Dec 18). MENA Report. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Extreme reach expands Canadian talent and payroll operations to service growing entertainment industry: Addressing increasing TV and film production in Canada and its advertising needs, company adds services for payroll and production support; new hires for talent management. (2018, Dec 13). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Henderson, P. (2015, Nov 16). Canadian video game industry catching up to TV & film production. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
Telefilm Canada announces, in partnership with the industry, gender parity measures for feature film production financing. (2016, Nov 11). Canada NewsWire. 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, September). Film And Video Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact. [Report Code MKB119H]. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
TBRC. (2022, May). Film And Video Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB119G]. Retrieved from BCC Research database.
TBRC. (2020, November). Film And Music Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: Covid 19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB119E]. Retrieved from BCC Research 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.

Barnes Reports: Motion Pictures & Video Production Industry (NAICS 51211). (2023). United States Motion Pictures & Video Production Industry Report, 1–184. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Barnes Reports: Motion Pictures & Video Production Industry (NAICS 51211). (2023). Worldwide Motion Pictures & Video Production Industry Report, 1–138. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Barnes Reports: (NAICS 51212): Motion Picture & Video Distribution Industry. (2022). United States Motion Picture & Video Distribution Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Campagnolo, G. M., Giannatou, E., Franklin, M., Stewart, J., & Williams, R. (2019). Revolution remixed? The emergence of Open Content Film-making as a viable component within the mainstream film industry. Information, Communication & Society, 22(13), 1871–1888. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Roxborough, S. (2021). Cannes Hot List: A Surprisingly Robust Market Awaits. Hollywood Reporter, 427(25), 48–49. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Roma, P., Natalicchio, A., Panniello, U., Vasi, M., & Messeni Petruzzelli, A. (2023). Crowdfunding performance, market performance, and the moderating roles of product innovativeness and experts’ judgment: Evidence from the movie industry. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 1. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Xu, Y., Wu, H., & Li, R. (2022). How the competitors’ online reviews affect product performance in the dynamic competitive market: an empirical analysis of the movie industry. Applied Economics Letters, 1–6. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Smith, K. (2023, January 27). The Sundance Film Festival: A Lively Market for Indie Cinema. Wall Street Journal - Online Edition, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Thom, M. (2021). Does Program Evaluation Affect Program Termination? Insights from the Repeal of Corporate Tax Incentives for the Motion Picture Industry. Policy Studies Journal, 49(4), 1135–1159.Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Rodrigues, M. B., & Loureiro, S. M. C. (2022). Virtual Reality in the Motion Picture Industry: The Relationship among Movie Coolness, Sympathy, Empathy, and Word-of-Mouth. Journal of Promotion Management, 28(2), 144–159. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Gilblom, K. (2021). Filmmaking Declines Sharply in Los Angeles After Covid Spike. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Orton, T. (2022). Star Trek projects jump to warp speed in B.C: Animation, gaming, VFX firms cash in on 56-year-old franchise’s enduring popularity. Business in Vancouver, 1701, 3–8. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
VFX/Animation News & Developments. (2021). SHOOT, 62(4), 35. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Chiang, C. (2022). Weaker loonie helping create B.C. movie magic. Business in Vancouver, 1719, 6–7. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
McMahon, J. (2019). Is Hollywood a Risky Business? A Political Economic Analysis of Risk and Creativity. New Political Economy, 24(4), 487–509. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
Orton, T. (2019). Film and TV productions focus on emissions cuts. Business in Vancouver, 1552, 3. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate 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.

(2023). Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Sector - Quarterly Update 11/22/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
(2023). Film & Video - Quarterly Update 1/30/2023. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
(2023). Media - Quarterly Update 1/30/2023. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.
(2023). TV Program Production and Distribution - Quarterly Update 1/23/2023. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles database.

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. (2021, November). Movie, TV & Video Production in Canada. CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 51211CA / INFORMATION IN CANADA. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Kanda, S. (2022, July). Movie & Video Distribution in Canada. CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 51211CA / INFORMATION IN CANADA. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Koronios, E. (2021, April). Video Postproduction Services in Canada. CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 51219CA / INFORMATION IN CANADA. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Pigott, M. (2022, July). Global Movie Production & Distribution. CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 51211CA / INFORMATION IN CANADA. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Wood, G. (2023, February). Movie & Video Production in the US. GLOBAL INDUSTRY REPORT Q8711-GL / OTHER GLOBAL COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Troncoso, K. (2022, August). Movie & Video Distribution in the US. US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 51212 / INFORMATION. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Ristoff, J. (2023, February). Video Postproduction Services in the US. US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 51219 / INFORMATION. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
Egan, S. (2021, July). Film Animation Services in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT OD4580 / TECHNOLOGY. 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. (2020, January). Motion Pictures & Video: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com 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.

(2023). Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Sector - Quarterly Update 11/22/2021. First Research Industry Profiles. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
(2023). Film & Video - Quarterly Update 1/30/2023. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
(2023). Media - Quarterly Update 1/30/2023. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
(2023). TV Program Production and Distribution - Quarterly Update 1/23/2023. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.

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.

Statista Research Department. (2022). Statista dossier on cinema in Canada. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023). Statista dossier on film industry in the United States and Canada. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2022). Statista dossier on movie studios in the United States and Canada. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, February 16). Statista dossier on film industry in the United States and Canada- statistics and facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2019). Statista dossier on LGBTQ media in Canada. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Total film and television production volume in Canada from 2011/12 to 2020/21 season, by region, in million Canadian dollars. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Total film and television production volume in Canada from 2004/05 to 2020/21 season, in billion Canadian dollars. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Domestic theatrical feature film production volume in Canada from 2011/12 to 2020/21 season in million Canadian dollars. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Financing of theatrical feature film productions in Canada from 2009/10 to 2020/21 season, by source, in million Canadian dollars. CMPA; Canadian Heritage; Telefilm Canada. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Domestic theatrical feature film production volume in Canada from 2011/12 to 2020/21 season in million Canadian dollars. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Number of jobs generated by the theatrical feature film production industry in Canada from 2015/16 to 2020/21 season, by type, in 1000s. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Canadian film and television production volume in Canada from 2011/12 to 2020/21 season, by language, in million Canadian dollars. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Statista Research Department. (2023, January 5.) Number of theatrical feature films produced in Canada from 2016/17 to 2020/21 season, by language. CMPA. Retrieved from Statista database.
Buchholz, K. (2022, March 5). Where women lack representation at the Oscars. Statista. 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.

(2023). Chicago International Film Festival: Life, Scripted. WARC Creative 100. Retrieved from WARC database.
(2022). Cineplex: Love Letter. AMA Awards. Retrieved from WARC database.
(2021). Cineplex: Projecting hope. AMA Awards. Retrieved from WARC database.
(2021). Adobe: Stock Film Festival. YouTube Works for Brands. Retrieved from WARC database.
Morris, S. (2022, April). Marketing for Hollywood in a post-COVID era. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database.
(2022, March). What we know about cinema advertising. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC database.
Clapp, R., and McDonald, J. (2019, August). Global Ad Trends: Cinema. WARC Data. Retrieved from WARC database.
(2019, October.) What’s working in cinema. WARC Category Intelligence. Retrieved from WARC database.
Blades, F., Pulick, D., and Barasch, S. (2019, March). Cinema as a superhero medium. WARC Talks. 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.

Schneller, J. (2020, Mar 27). COVID-19 shattered Canada's film industry, but we can piece it back together: BIGGER PICTURE. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Gee, D. (2023, Mar 04). Survival & hope; Vancouver-based Cree writer/director Koostachin to deliver story of resilience at film fest. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Volmers, E. (2023). From German hideout to Oscar luncheons, Calgary-born filmmaker's Navalny documentary making waves. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Showcasing power of news media: Film fest aims 'to sensitize people to the importance of local journalism,' former reporter says. (2023, Mar 06). Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
All categories will be gender-neutral at film Independent Spirit Awards (2023). Toronto: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Hertz, B. (2023, Mar 03). Beguiling Cape Breton drama Queens of the Qing Dynasty ushers in new Canadian cinema royalty: Ashley McKenzie’s new film confirms the indie filmmaker as one of her generation’s most unpredictable voices. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Portman, J. (2023, Feb 25). Just act naturally; cinephile pays homage to the people who light up the big screen. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Hertz, B. (2023, Feb 24). Real people, artificial drama inhabit bourges’ new Toronto-based film, Concrete Valley: The director paints a portrait of a world that is both refuge and limbo for an untold number of immigrant families. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Byard, M. (2023, Feb 23). 'We're fired up:' Halifax Black Film Festival back for first in-person event since 2020. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Volmers, E. (2021, May 22). Inaugural Black Film Festival kicks off; emerging filmmakers are part of programming that includes 41 films from 10 countries. Calgary Herald. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Volmers, E. (2020, Jan 11). Rules hurt indie films. Chronicle - Herald. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
Schneller, J. (2023, Mar 09). Sarah Polley on the Oscar season roller coaster: Canadian filmmaker’s Women Talking is up for best picture and best adapted screenplay. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.