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Research Tools

The Berkeley Public Library has a variety of research tools available to the community. Whether you are looking for information for a research project or need assistance for a homework assignment, you can find the information you need fast.

Ancestry & Genealogy

Ancestry.com An extensive resource for genealogy and family history research. Search Census, birth, death, and military records. Library use only.

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Genealogy & Local History @ Newberry Library Explore the Newberry’s collections of family and local histories; censuses, probate, deed, court, tax, and cemetery records; military rosters; and genealogical guides.

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NARA Resources for Genealogists The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides access to resources for exploring family history and includes online tutorials, guides, and access to archival databases.

Arts & Crafts

Creative Bug Unlimited access to art and craft classes taught by top designers and artists. Sewing, painting, and more. 1000+ video classes available!

Automotive

Auto Repair Source Find accurate, authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. All content comes from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and includes step-by-step repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labor estimates, service bulletins, and recalls. 

Books, Literature, & Language

Literary Reference Center Comprehensive, full-text database provides access to a broad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across the literary disciplines and time frames. 

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Mango Languages believes that language connects cultures. Once you click 'Use Mango as a Guest', you'll be able to establish an account and get access to all the language learning tools for free.

 

NoveList Plus A comprehensive source of information about books that includes expert recommendations, reviews, articles, lists and more. 

 

NoveList K-8 The same detailed resources as NoveList, but focused exclusively for growing minds and their parents! 

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Comics Plus! Use your library card to get instant access to 100s of your favorite graphic novel and manga titles for free, online! 

Business, Law, & Finance

Business Source Premier The industry's most widely used business research database, Business Source Premier features full text and searchable cited references for top journals covering a variety of business disciplines.  

 

Small Business Resource Center Exclusive full text for many top consumer small business reference books, as well as tools to address many small business topics. Includes business-focused videos, a help and advice section, and details on how to create business plans. 

 

Consumer Reports In addition to product ratings and reviews, find in-depth advice, tips, and trends written by Consumer Reports experts. Contains frequently updated articles, blogs, and video content. 

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Legal Information Reference Center This online database is designed to assist the general public in legal matters of all kinds. Legal Information Reference Center includes exclusive full text for many top consumer legal reference books as well as thousands of legal forms. 

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Vocational & Career Collection Designed to meet a wide variety of vocational and technical research needs, this database provides full-text coverage for trade and industry-related periodicals for high schools, community colleges, trade institutions, and the general public. 

Consumer Health & Wellness

Consumer Health Complete Provides valuable, authoritative consumer health information.  

 

Medline Plus The National Institutes of Health provide access to reliable health information from researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and educators. 

 

NIH Health Information NIH Health Information provides free information on diseases, clinical trials, community resources, fitness and nutrition, and more.  

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General Information & Multidisciplinary

Academic Search Premier A leading scholarly database, Academic Search Premier provides access to acclaimed full-text journals, magazines, and other valuable research and informational resources. 

 

MasterFILE Premier A multidisciplinary database that provides full-text for nearly 1,700 general reference publications covering a wide range of subject areas including business, education, health, general science, and more. 

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Primary Search Designed for elementary school students, Primary Search is a full-text database providing popular children's magazines, easy-to-read encyclopedic entries, and a vast image collection.

 

Middle Search Plus Designed for middle school students, Middle School Plus is a full-text database providing popular middle school magazines and reference books. Covering subjects such as history, current events, science, and sports; it also includes thousands of biographies and primary source documents, plus over a million photos, maps and flags. 

 

World Fact Book Provides information and statistics on the people, culture, history, geography, government, and economy for 267 world entities.  

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Newspaper Source Plus Provides a full-text digital collection of the world's major news content. Newspaper Source Plus includes millions of articles from newspapers, newswires and news magazines. In addition, it offers television and radio transcripts and ongoing daily updates from popular news sources. 

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Points of View Reference Center Containing resources that present multiple sides of an issue, this database provides rich content that can help students assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues, and develop analytical thinking skills. 

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Read It! Designed for middle and high school students and adults who have a basic foundation in English grammar and reading but need adapted reading material for a variety of subjects. Offers resources to help build background knowledge, conduct research and improve study skills.  

History

History Reference Center Designed for secondary schools, public libraries, and undergraduate research, History Reference Center features full-text for more than 1,990 reference books, encyclopedias, and non-fiction books. 

Science & Technology

Science Daily Updated several times a day with breaking news and feature articles seven days a week, Science Daily covers discoveries in all fields of the physical, biological, earth and applied sciences. 

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Science Reference Center Designed to meet every student researcher's needs, Science Reference Center contains full-text for hundreds of science journals, magazines, encyclopedias, reference books, and a vast collection of images. 

Test Prep

Khan Academy

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Magoosh ACT Prep  

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Magoosh SAT Prep 

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