| Summary: | Countless research questions arise when investigating connections between library resource discovery and student success. Existing literature explores best practices of database description language and style, the usability of database A--Z lists, and library resource jargon. Academic libraries continue to grapple with these challenges in resource discovery, even as online searching behavior evolves and new research tools emerge. A research team at the University of Arizona Libraries builds on the literature by examining these topics with a focus on the impact of a user's academic discipline, university affiliation (faculty, staff, or student), and research experience on their understanding of database terminology, resource content and applications, and A--Z list type filters. The authors conducted an environmental scan of library websites along with several usability tests to identify and reduce library and disciplinary jargon on their A--Z list to make databases more understandable and approachable to all users. This article presents the results of these assessments as a case study for exploring external and internal factors that impact users' understanding and discovery of databases.
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