In a world where digital resources shape the backbone of student research and engagement, databases are essential tools for supporting learning, literacy and informed discussion. Libraries often face an uphill battle: maintaining access to high-quality databases while demonstrating their direct impact on student learning and success. One of the most effective ways to do this is by increasing database usage. But usage only increases when students and teachers are aware of the tools that are available to them, and when those tools are meaningfully integrated into programming and instruction. One of the most effective ways to increase database visibility and impact is by connecting them to something that’s already deeply embedded in both education and community programming: literature.
From required curriculum to book clubs, English Language Arts offers a natural space to build partnerships between school librarians and teachers, or public librarians and the students in their communities. These collaborations can create engaging, research-rich opportunities that encourage critical thinking and database exploration.
Pairing the Old with the New: A Fresh Take on Literary Study
One of the most powerful ways to integrate library resources into classrooms and programs is through thematic research projects that connect classic literature with contemporary texts. This approach not only increases student engagement — it also deepens understanding and relevance. Thematic pairings invite students to explore timeless human concerns through multiple lenses, while giving them a reason to dive into scholarly databases for evidence and insight.
Thematic exploration can achieve multiple goals:
- It enriches literary analysis by encouraging students to draw parallels between different time periods and genres.
- It makes classic literature more accessible by showing its relevance to modern life.
- It promotes critical thinking by asking students to synthesize information across sources and media.
- It reinforces the value of the library as a hub for credible, in-depth research.
By incorporating contemporary articles, essays, and literature into these units, teachers and librarians can introduce students to library databases that will help them locate, evaluate and cite sources. When students see the direct impact of these tools on their learning, database usage naturally grows. With that growth, the library’s value becomes visible and measurable.
Classic Meets Contemporary: Unlocking Relevance Through Themes
Pairing classic texts with contemporary works that explore shared themes offers a dynamic strategy that supports both classroom instruction and library programming. Here are some examples of how this might look:
- Theme: Ambition and Integrity
Text Pairing: Macbeth by William Shakespeare with The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine
Students examine how personal ambition affects ethical decision making in both historical and fictional contexts. Macbeth’s descent into moral compromise can be compared to a young protagonist navigating peer pressure and responsibility. Research topics may include articles on character education, leadership and integrity.
- Theme: Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
Text Pairing: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett with Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Students explore how characters grow emotionally and mentally through self-discovery and relationships with others. Research assignments may involve finding database resources on the importance of nature, introversion or personal development.
- Theme: Curiosity and Invention
Text Pairing: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Students explore the theme of invention, curiosity, and the consequences of scientific discovery. Librarians can guide students in using articles from research databases to learn more about energy innovation, engineering and ethical problem-solving in science.
- Theme: Justice, Prejudice and Moral Courage
Text Pairing: Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose with Monster by Walter Dean Myers
This paring encourages students to evaluate the connections between classica and contemporary representations of challenging bias, courtroom dynamics and questions assumptions of guilt.
Why Thematic Research Matters
- For schools, thematic pairings enhance curriculum by encouraging students to draw connections across time, genre and media while building research skills aligned with academic standards.
- For public libraries, they provide fresh ways to engage readers and offer meaningful opportunities for intergenerational learning, civic dialogue and lifelong education.
- For both, they help justify continued investment in research databases by driving usage and demonstrating value.
When it comes to exploring literature, your library will need a research tool that allows students to dive deeper into thematic pairings and topics. Literary Reference Ultimate contains full text for more than 8,000 classic novels and a wealth of literary criticism to help students write analytical essays about both classic and contemporary literature.
