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Online Resources

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, Inc. (CWMARS--a library consortium dedicated to efficient resource sharing and rapid access to information), and the Boston Public Library provide Massachusetts library cardholders access to many electronic databases that can help you find authoritative information. Topics include arts and humanities; business, economics, company directories, and personal finance; electronic books; general resources; magazines for K-12 students; medicine & health; Chinese-language periodicals; newspapers; scholarly journals; science & technology; and social sciences.

In addition, the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System and the Boston Public Library provide access to additional databases.

Finally, the South Hadley Public Library funds access to some databases exclusively for patrons with South Hadley library cards, including genealogy and test-practice resources.

Unlike the sometimes-unreliable information you find with Internet searches, this information is from published sources—newspapers, periodicals, and reference books. Some articles look exactly like they did in the published version, including photographs. Perfect for late-night research when the Library’s closed.

Anyone can access these databases when they are in the Library. Most also are accessible from outside the Library, if you have a valid Massachusetts library card.

Ask the Library staff for help in choosing and using these exciting resources today.

Online Databases & eBooks

Look for journal, magazine, and newspaper articles; encyclopedia and directory information; and ebooks. Areas covered include: current events and general information; health; business; and people, books, and authors. Database providers include Newsbank (which offers full text of the Springfield Republican back to 1988 and 27 popular magazines); InfoTrac (including academic and all-purpose databases Expanded Academic and General Reference Center as well as health and business databases, and several databases for students and teachers); and ProQuest, with searchable text of 14 Massachusetts newspapers, including the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.

Booklist Online

The Western Massachusetts Regional Library System patrons have access to the database Booklist Online, which has reviews written by members of the American Library Association.  The site includes lists of books in various award categories.  No login is required for those with WMRLS library cards--just click on the Booklist Online link.

History Databases from Facts on File!

The Library now has access to three new reference databases. African-American History Online American History Online, and American Women’s History Online each have thousands of entries—topical entries, biographies, maps, timeline entries, primary source documents, and images—which are hyperlinked and allow you to follow a path to related entries. Your library card number is your key to log in to these authoritative resources from home, school, or office.

Community Information Online

Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, Inc., is a library consortium dedicated to efficient resource sharing and rapid access to information. The Community Information Online database includes searchable listings for agencies, services, and organizations that serve a significant public need within our communities. This provides users with comprehensive and confidential referrals that meet their specific needs or interests.

Digital Treasures

Digital Treasures is a searchable collection of images contributed by libraries in Central and Western Massachusetts.  A search for the word "canals," for example, gets you a drawing of the inclined plane canal at South Hadley Falls, from the early 1800s.  No login is required.

Genealogy Resources

Ancestry Library Edition provides access to thousands of databases of interest to genealogists. Search 1930 and earlier Census, military service records, ship passenger lists for New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, and Massachusetts marriage lists, 1633-1850, plus many more. It even contains the 1890 city directory for South Hadley Falls. [Funded by the South Hadley Public Library and accessible only in the Library]

HeritageQuest Online is a genealogy research tool created for library users. It gives instant access to a wide range of unique resources for genealogical and historical research. With more than 4 billion names in over 4,000 databases, it includes records from the United States census; military records; court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists, and more. [Funded by the South Hadley Public Library and accessible in the Library or remotely with a South Hadley Library card]

The Ellis Island Foundation offers a free search of Ellis Island and Port of New York passenger arrivals at http://www.ellisisland.org/. Viewing passenger records or photos of the ships requires free registration. The website also has tips and links to other genealogy resources.

Oxford Art Online

Web access to the entire text of the 34-volume The Dictionary of Art and The Oxford Companion to Western Art. Ongoing additions of new and updated articles, over 3,000 thumbnail art images and line drawings displayed in the text of articles, extensive image links, and sophisticated search and navigation tools.

NoveList

NoveList  is a fiction database that provides subject heading access, reviews, annotations, and much more for over 125,000 fiction titles. It also includes Author Read-alikes, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Feature Articles. It allows readers to retrieve a list of recommended titles based on a favorite book, author or genre. Searches can be restricted to a specific reading level.

Suggested Websites

Anyone can publish a website, which is one of the great things about the Internet. However, this also means that there are no guarantees that information you find online is accurate. There is a wealth of valuable information online, as well as some that is false or misleading. To learn more about locating and evaluating online information resources, check out our Search Engines and Evaluating Websites links.

Check out these freely available websites that have been evaluated and recommended by librarians! Collections include South Hadley Public Library's own Suggested Websites as well as the Directory of the Web (courtesy of Springfield Public Library).

Live Reference Help!

Get reference help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by using MassAnswers! Chat online with a librarian from one of many libraries across the United States who participate in the 24/7 reference service. Learn more about MassAnswers.

 



Page updated: March 9, 2010
Maintained by: Bob Williford, Reference Librarian