Online Resources

Easily search and browse more than a billion genealogy records from 1690 to the present, including obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements, casualty lists, military & government documents, and more.

For a limited time due to COVID-19, AncestryPlus Library Edition is available from home. Log into your Library Account. Then, go to My Account and My Record. Click the link that says Ancestry Library to gain access. For genealogy research, including census, vital, church, court and immigration records.  This resource is only available in the Library.

Do-it-yourself repair and maintenance information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles.

Browse digital curated collections on a variety of topics including literature, art, and history as well as self-published works from authors in Illinois and nationwide.
(iOS / Android)

Featuring full text articles from more than 2,200 business journals. Basic tutorial. Advanced tutorial.

Find contact information, criminal arrest records, information on properties, and more for these Illinois counties: Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, Dupage, Kankakee, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Madison, McLean, Mchenry, Peoria, Rock Island, St. Clair, Tazewell, Will and Winnebago.

Full text newspapers dating back to 2002 for the Chicago area including:

• Aurora Beacon News
• Chicago Sun-Times
• Joliet Herald News
• Naperville Sun
• Plainfield Sun (until 2010 when publication ceased)
• Shorewood Sentinel

Browse complete issues or search full text articles from the Chicago Tribune archives (1849-1989) including obituaries and death notices.

Covers all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.

Provides ratings and reviews, recommendations and buying advice for thousands of products and services.

Offers 1000+ online art and crafts classes with expert step-by-step instructions plus patterns, templates and recipes from Joann Fabrics.
(iOS / Android)

Practice tests, resources and FAQs to help obtain or renew your driver's license. Does not require a library card to use.

An all-inclusive search solution that makes in-depth research easy.
(iOS / Android)

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. PPLD is designated as a FamilySearch affiliate library, which grants researchers onsite access to billions of digitized records, including millions of images that are only available to Affiliate Libraries and FamilySearch Family History Centers (Affiliate Library digital images are only available in the Library).

Designed for those who are just starting, this series gives you the necessary tools to make sure you are fully equipped to manage your finances. 

Historical documents and personal histories from the National Archives and other institutions that provides access to U.S. military records including stories, photos and personal document of the men and women who served.

A live tutoring service for students of all ages. Tutors are available Monday — Sunday 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM CST. Video tutorial.
(iOS / Android)

For genealogy research including U.S. Federal census records, PERSI Archive, local and family history books and more.

Looking for more information on topics in the news and in the world? Our librarians have organized lists of books, movies, music, podcasts, organizations, resources, etc. that can help you find the information you’re searching for.

Features expert resume assistance, live interview preparation and career coaching. Coaches are available Sunday — Saturday, 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM CST except holidays. Video tutorial.

Formerly known as Lynda.com. Learn the latest business, technology, management, writing, creative skills and much more through instructional videos taught by industry experts.

Provides information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and time frames. Video tutorial.

Make a free profile for your child and get started learning Chinese, French, German, Spanish and more.

Online language learning instruction for over 60 languages, many recently expanded, including English Language Learner (ELL) courses.
(iOS / Android )

Provides full text for magazines, reference books and primary source documents and an image collection containing photos, maps and flags.

Full text for popular middle school magazines, biographies and historical essays. Full text entries include reading level indicators (Lexiles).

In-Library access | Remote access  Morningstar Investment Research Center offers easy access to comprehensive and independent financial analysis and data on stocks and funds. 
(iOS / Android)

Helps kids find books that are just right for their reading level and interests.

Provides reading recommendations and information about books including reviews, articles, lists, series and more.

Edit, format, and generate print-ready and eBook formats for your book through the Inkie. org site which also includes eBooks from local, self-published authors.

Full text for popular elementary school magazines.

Search, find and preview more than 900 million documents without authentication and retrieve Open Access full-text content curated by ProQuest.

Public records of real estate sales, new business licenses, foreclosures and bankruptcies for Illinois counties, particularly the greater Chicago area and quick background checks through CheckIllinois.

Full text reference books from Salem Press and Greyhouse Publishers on literature, science and more.

Create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, search for jobs/internships and locate people using real-time access to more than 44 million businesses, 270 million consumers, and more.

Full-text coverage for more than 200 science periodicals.

SELF-e is an innovative collaboration between Library Journal and BiblioBoard that enables authors and libraries to work together and expose notable self-published eBooks to readers looking to discover something new.

Financial information and analytical tools for investment research.

Self-guided coding and game design lessons using JavaScript (suitable for all ages).

Offers independent, unbiased financial strength ratings of banks, credit unions and insurance companies and conservative buy-hold-sell investment ratings of thousands of stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. 

Includes World Book Kids, World Book Student, and World Book Advanced. These resources contain full-text articles as well as fun games and activities to enhance the learning experience.