Online databases as research support and the role of librarians in their promotion: The case of Croatia

•73.5% of respondents stated that they used online databases in research.•Online databases are viewed as very valuable research support tool by users.•The respondents encounter certain limitations in using online databases.•Librarians should have a more active role in promoting online databases and in users' training.•Different groups of users have similar perceptions regarding online databases.

The main aim of this study was to determine the extent to which Croatian university teachers use online databases as a research support tool, and what role librarians have in their promotion. Although the results show that within Croatian higher education online databases are widely acknowledged as important, they are used less frequently than in many other countries, especially more developed ones. The differences in online database perception between certain user groups were also tested. The study has revealed the problems in database usage and indicated the ways in which librarians can respond to users' needs more efficiently and effectively.