Stand-alone Databases

I have a very simple question to ask all of you. At the moment, I am developing a small journal like application and I want to store all of the information in a database. I want to create a blank database and package it with the final application. I have run into the problem that most databases run on a server (like MySQL). What I believe I need is a stand-alone database like MS Access for example. The only thing I can find is OpenOffice Base but I cannot find a driver that will work for it. If someone could please recommend a database or tell me where I can find a driver for the OpenOffice Base I would greatly appreciate it.

It's a HSQL database.

From the specifications:

BASE includes a full version of the HSQL database engine, storing data in XML files. It can also access dBASE files natively for simple database work.

Regards, Jan