Database of the Month: DemographicsNow [New Database!]

Demographics Now logoJust a few weeks ago the Bentley Library added DemographicsNow to our collection of databases.  DemographicsNow provides demographic, business and consumer data from the U.S. Census and other public and private sources.

Although U.S. Census data is freely available via their American Factfinder database, DemographicsNow has a more intuitive interface and built-in reporting features that gives it an edge over the Census’ site.  DemographicsNow also provides information on 23 million businesses and 206 million people/135 million households. This combination of data and business intelligence makes DemographicsNow an important resource for anyone needing to analyze the demographic and market potential of a geographic area.

There are three main components to the database: Demographics, Businesses and People. A mapping function is also available, allowing users to create custom thematic maps.

Demographics

This is the most impressive of the three components.  Use it to access U.S. Census data  from 1980-2010, view current year estimates, and get 5-year projections for any U.S. geographic area. A custom area can also be created using radius or drive time (minutes).  Users can choose from three report types – summary, comparison and rank – each of which can be downloaded in Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF and HTML formats.

This will be a “must-use” database for anyone developing a business or marketing plan (this means you, GB320 students!).  Marketers, sociologists, economists, and political scientists alike will find many uses for this data and will appreciate its easy retrieval. Data includes:

  • income
  • housing
  • race
  • age
  • education
  • retail spending
  • consumer expenditures (CEX)
  • businesses
  • MOSAIC segmentation (MOSAIC is a consumer segmentation that describes/classifies American consumers in 71 types and 12 groupings that share similar demographic and socioeconomic characteristics)

Businesses

Search for information on a specific company or perform a custom search to compile a list of businesses that meet certain criteria, such as size, industry, location and ownership type. The database even includes out-of-business listings back to the year 2000. This component of DemographicsNow is especially useful to entrepreneurs, job-seekers and others who want to create a customized list of businesses.

People

Search for information on a specific person or perform a custom search to compile a list of contacts that meet specific criteria, such as address, area code or U.S. Census neighborhood data averages (household income, family size, median age, number of vehicles, etc). Small business owners or salespeople may use this database to create targeted customer mailing lists.

Mapping

The mapping tool allows users to map their results, create custom geographies and view demographic variables in thematic coloring scales.

Connect to this Database

Please visit DemographicsNow to explore this valuable database further.  A series of brief, informative tutorials may be accessed using the “Help & Info” link in the top right corner of the DemographicsNow database.  You may also access library databases via our Databases by Subject and Databases A-Z pages.

_____________________

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please contact the Reference Desk.  If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Now Showing in the Art Gallery: Muriel Donovan ’50

The current exhibit, open May 31 through June 30, 2012, is an installation titled Studies of the Old Masters by alumnus artist Muriel Donovan (’50).  A special reception for the artist was held on Saturday, June 2, as part of Bentley University’s Reunion Weekend activities.

Muriel Donovan
Studies of the Old Masters
May 31, 2012 – June 30, 2012

from the exhibit: Studies of the Old Masters by Muriel Donavan

Welcome, Reunion Weekend Guests

What did the Bentley Library look like when you were a student? Unless you graduated after our $17 million renovation was completed in 2006 we can guarantee you that we look quite a bit different! Please make some time to come check us out. Join us for a tour on Friday, June 1, between 2:00pm-3:45pm, or on Saturday, June 2, between 10:00am and 1:00pm. We’d love for you to stop in and share your memories of the Bentley Library with us.

Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, 921 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

Unable to attend a tour? Please feel free to stop by and take a walk through the library; we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you!

On Display: Books to Take on Vacation

We hope you plan to take some time off from work this summer – whether it’s a getaway to the beach, a trip across the globe, or simply a retreat to your back deck. Before you leave, stop by and take a look at our Books to Take on Vacation display.  We’ve picked books and audiobooks that are recent or current bestsellers, as well as some past favorites and new arrivals that are generating buzz.  Many of this summer’s hottest titles have yet to be released, so if you don’t find something the first time you look, please come back to check out June and July’s new releases.

Your vacation reading doesn’t have to involve schlepping around a 300-page book in your beach bag. We also have many eBooks and audiobooks that can be downloaded to your iPad, iPod, Kindle, NOOK, laptop, smartphone or other mobile device from the library’s website http://ezp.bentley.edu/OverDrive/bentleyu.  Simply log-in with your Bentley username and password to get started.

Stop by to browse the display or check out our Books to Take on Vacation Pinterest board. Don’t forget to check back often – we’ll be adding to the display as new items arrive and as currently checked-out items are returned.