General Research | The Seattle Public Library

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Features more than 1,000 historical newspapers from all 50 states. This database includes early American newspapers previously available in America's Genealogy Bank. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_branch.png" alt="Available only in Library locations" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com" target=_blank>Ancestry Library Edition</a> </span> Interested in genealogy? We partnered with Ancestry.com to help you search billions of historical documents, photos, oral histories and more, from the 1500s to the present. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?profile=ehost&defaultdb=air&authtype=ip,uid" target=_blank>Art Index Retrospective </a> </span> Find article citations from 1929 -1984 from nearly 600 publications of art literature covering fine, decorative, and commercial art. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://www.atoztheworld.com?c=2dheDctZ69" target=_blank>AtoZ the World</a> </span> Want to learn about another country? Get in-depth information about 175 countries, including history, culture, customs, food, religion, travel information, maps and much more. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://infotrac.gale.com/itweb/spl_main?db=BIC" target=_blank>Biography in Context</a> </span> Get in-depth biographical information about the world’s most influential people from all time periods. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/?p=AAHX" target=_blank>Black Life in America</a> </span> The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media, including over 400 current and historical Black publications from the 1700s to today. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=http://www.library.eb.com" target=_blank>Britannica Library</a> </span> The Encyclopedia Britannica online, plus a dictionary, thesaurus, world atlas, the full text of current magazine and journal articles, live feeds from a variety of news sources and much more. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://infotrac.gale.com/itweb/spl_main?db=CDB" target=_blank>Computer Science</a> </span> Provides articles, news and product reviews from more than 600 publications that cover the computer, telecommunications, and electronics industries. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=crcro" >Consumer Reports</a> </span> Use product reviews, ratings and comparisons from Consumer Reports magazine to make better buying decisions and save money. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://www.consumerlab.com/org_login.asp?subid=73440EC2-CA73-45A2-9939-C6BA67A96021" target=_blank>ConsumerLab.com</a> </span> Choose the best quality health, wellness and nutritional products, based on test results published by an independent laboratory. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=http://www.checkbook.org/library/seattle" target=_blank>Consumers’ Checkbook</a> </span> Get ratings, reviews and advice to help you choose the best retail stores, service companies and healthcare providers in the Puget Sound region. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://online.culturegrams.com/secure/main/portal.php?a_username=splremote&a_password=splremote" target=_blank>CultureGrams</a> </span> Get an inside look at the daily life, history, culture and customs of the world's people. Includes information on more than 200 countries, every U.S. state and all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://www.referenceusa.com" target=_blank>Data Axle Reference Solutions</a> </span> Look up individuals and businesses in this extensive database covering U.S. and Canada. For business planning, use this database to identify competitors, prospects, suppliers, and partners by business type and geography. Also available via app. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="http://seattlepl.driving-tests.org" target=_blank>Driving-Tests.org</a> </span> Practice driving tests for cars, motorcycles, and the Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Online access to the Washington Driver's Handbook. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://infotrac.gale.com/itweb/spl_main?db=ITOF" target=_blank>General OneFile</a> </span> Need to research a topic? Here’s an easy-to-use source for searching magazines, newspapers, journals and audio content. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://www.heritagequestonline.com/" target=_blank>HeritageQuest Online</a> </span> Explore these searchable and printable genealogy resources, including local and family histories, research guides and the complete U.S. Federal Census, 1790-1940. Powered by Ancestry. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://link.gale.com/apps/AHSI?u=spl_main" target=_blank>LGBTQ History & Culture</a> </span> Explore LGBTQ history, culture, health, and political, social and legal issues in the United States and around the world. The searchable database includes approximately 1.5 million pages of information. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/pqrl?accountid=1135" target=_blank>ProQuest</a> </span> Doing a research project for school or work? Start with this vast archive of more than 90,000 reference and information resources that spans centuries. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://ezproxy.spl.org/login?url=https://statabs.proquest.com/sa/" target=_blank>Statistical Abstract of the United States</a> </span> Provides detailed statistics that describe social and economic conditions in the United States. </li> <li class="text-icon-list__item "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/online-resources/requirements/icons_115x115_1-18_library-card.png" alt="Library card required" /> <span class="text-icon-list__heading"> <a class="text-icon-list__link" href="https://leo.tutor.com/?ProgramGuid=c3d0ec8c-ffcb-4440-ad6e-21ef45ca0b7c" target=_blank>Tutor.com</a> </span> Log in with a Library card to get free online tutoring from live tutors for K-12 students, as well as adult learners and job seekers. </li> </ul> </section> <section class="site-section site-section--padded l-margin-top-2 do-not-print" aria-labelledby="RelatedLinks"> <div class="section-header section-header--underlined"> <h3 id=RelatedLinks class="section-header__heading">Related Links</h3> </div> <ul class="related-link__list"> <li class="related-link__item"> <a href="/online-resources/student-research" class="related-link" title="Student Research"> Student Research </a> </li> <li class="related-link__item"> <a href="/online-resources/dictionaries-encyclopedias" class="related-link" title="Dictionaries & Encyclopedias"> Dictionaries & Encyclopedias </a> </li> <li class="related-link__item"> <a href="/books-and-media/digital-magazines-and-newspapers" class="related-link" title="Digital Magazines & Newspapers"> Digital Magazines & Newspapers </a> </li> <li class="related-link__item"> <a href="/programs-and-services/learning/your-next-skill" class="related-link" title="Your Next Skill"> Your Next Skill </a> </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="col-xl-3 col-md-4 col-12 right-column l-margin-top-2"> <aside id="sidebar" class="sidebar content-aside"> <div class="content-aside__section"> <div class="content-aside__section"> <h2 onclick="expand(this)" class="hero__grid-cell-heading hero__nav-heading">Common Tasks</h2> <ul class="tasks-nav hero__nav-items"> <li class="tasks-nav__item hero__nav-item"> <a href="/using-the-library/manage-your-account" class="tasks-nav__item--icon" title="Manage Your Account"> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/common-tasks/icons_115x115_1-18_manage-your-library-card.png" alt="" /> <span>Manage your account</span> </a> </li> <li class="tasks-nav__item hero__nav-item"> <a href="/programs-and-services/learning/learning-calendar" class="tasks-nav__item--icon" title="Learning Calendar "> <img src="/Seattle-Public-Library/images/icons/common-tasks/icons_115x115_1-18_view-calendar.png" alt="" /> <span>View Learning Calendar</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> function expand(el) { el.nextElementSibling.classList.toggle("show"); 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