Library Databases

Published: April 19, 2022
Updated: April 21, 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.

 

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.

  • Distilleries - quarterly update 2/7/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • United States food & drink report - Q1 2022. (2022). (). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • 2020 worldwide distilleries & alcohol-making industry-industry & market report. (2019). (). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • Craft vodka market size will grow by USD 590.15 million | 43% of the market's growth will originate from north America|17,000+ technavio reports. (2022, Feb 28). PR Newswire.
  • Insights on the mezcal global market to 2026 - featuring bacardi, craft distillers and los danzantes among others. (2022, Feb 23). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. 
  • Christians, L. (2021). The hottest cocktail trends of 2021. The Billings Gazette. 
  • Food processing equipment market worth $98.4 billion by 2027 - market size, share, forecasts, & trends analysis report with COVID-19 impact by meticulous research®: Food processing equipment market by type (meat, poultry, and seafood processing equipment, bakery equipment, beverage processing equipment, dairy processing equipment, and fruit and vegetable processing equipment) - global forecast to 2027. (2022, Jan 20). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. 

 

 

Mergent Online

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

This database provides access to US and international public company data. It 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. 

To narrow down your company search by geography, look for the Country dropdown menu on the right-hand side. Searching “Canada” in combination with NAICS code “312140” returns multiple Canadian company profiles. Identifying distilleries by Canadian province requires scanning individual profiles for company addresses. Below is a list of all British Columbia-based craft distilleries found in Mergent Online. 

  • Cascadia Brands, Inc. (TSX: CBH). Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
  • Northam Beverages Ltd. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
  • Okanagan Spirits Inc. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.

 

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.

  • Barnes Reports. (October 2021). 2021 U.S. Distilleries & Alcohol-Making Industry-Industry & Market Report. [Report Code MBR1084A]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
  • Business Research Company. (July 2019). Spirits Manufacturing (Distilleries) Market Global Briefing 2019. [Report Code MKB361A]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database. 
  • Barnes Reports. (October 2020). 2021 U.S. Beer & Wine & Liquor Stores Industry-Industry & Market Report. [Report Code MBR1136A]. 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.

  • Ativie, I. F. (2021). From netminder to distiller: Belfour Spirits honors Fighting Sioux fans. Beverage Industry, 112(3), 24.
  • Harfmann, B. (2020). Handmade and homegrown in America: Craft distilled spirits embrace local roots, innovation. Beverage Industry, 111(8), 16–21.
  • Luederitz, C., Caniglia, G., Colbert, B., & Burch, S. (2021). How do small businesses pursue sustainability? The role of collective agency for integrating planned and emergent strategy making. Business Strategy & the Environment (John Wiley & Sons, Inc), 30(7), 3376–3393. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2808
  • Anderson, B. (2021). The Forgotten Labour of Craft: Exploitation and Organizing in Artisanal Industries. Labour / Le Travail, 88, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.52975/llt.2021v88.0005
  • Bachman, J. R., Hull, J. S., & Haecker, S. (2021). Millennials are not all the same: Examining millennial craft brewery and winery visitors’ social involvement, self‐image, and social return. International Journal of Tourism Research, 23(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2400
  • Kriel, G. (2020). Brewers and distillers in the aftermath of the pandemic. Finweek, 37–40.

 

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). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 31214CA / Manufacturing In Canada Distilleries in Canada. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Kanda, S. (2021). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 41322CA / Wholesale Trade In Canada Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in Canada. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • McGrath, S. (2022). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 44531CA / Retail Trade In Canada Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in Canada. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Wood, G. (2021). US Industry (NAICS) Report US 31214 / Manufacturing. Distilleries in the US. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Thomas, B. (2021). US Specialized Industry Report OD4290 / Consumer Goods and Services Whiskey & Bourbon Distilleries. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Wood, G. (2021). US Specialized Industry Report OD4289 / Consumer Goods and Services Vodka Distilleries. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Thomas, B. (2021). US Industry (NAICS) Report (42482) / Wholesale Trade Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Wood, G. (2022). Global Industry Report C1122-GL / Global Manufacturing Global Spirits Manufacturing. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld 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.

  • Conway, J. (2021). Number of distilleries in Canada by region 2021. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Leading types of spirits sold in British Columbia by retail sales 2020/21. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2020). Retail sales of spirits in British Columbia 2012-2019. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Canadian spirit volume sales in Canada by province 2019/20. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Spirits market in Canada - statistics & facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). U.S. Spirits Industry- Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Alcoholic Beverages Industry worldwide - Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Whiskey Industry- Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Vodka Industry- Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Conway, J. (2021). Gin Industry- Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista 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.

 

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.