Ohio Web Library Research Databases

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These databases are provided by the Ohio Web Library to all Ohio residents. You may be asked to enter your zip code and/or your local public library card number before entering.

Be sure to check the "Locally Purchased Databases" tab for additional resources provided by your local public library.

Alphabetical List | Listed By Subject

Genealogy

Explore Ohio | OPLIN

Explore Ohio | OPLIN

What is it? OPLIN's ever-expanding directory of Ohio-specific websites and links.

Why use it? Find Ohio-focused websites by category or by county.
Ohio Death Certificate Index (1913-1944)

Ohio Death Certificate Index (1913-1944)

What is it? Database containing death certificates of persons that died in Ohio from 1913-1937.

Why use it? Use the index information to help in obtaining a copy of particular death certificates.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

What is it? Large scale street plans – including building outlines, property boundaries, and building use - produced by the Sanborn Fire Insurance Company from 1867 to 1970

Why use it? Locate buildings and neighborhoods. See a neighborhood "as it was". Study the growth of towns and cities. Identify the impact of new developments.

Magazines & Newspapers

All EBSCOhost Databases

All EBSCOhost Databases

What is it? Complete range of citation and full-text reference content available from the EBSCO publishing company. Individual database services are also listed separately. This 4-min. Flash video provides instructions for basic searching.

Why use it? Select a single database for searching. Search multiple EBSCOhost resources at once. See what’s available from EBSCO.
MasterFILE Premier | (EBSCOhost)

MasterFILE Premier | (EBSCOhost)

What is it? Full text for a wide variety of periodicals covering general reference, business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues and much more. Also contains full text for reference books, biographies, and primary source documents, and an image collection photos, map, and flags – updated daily from EBSCOhost. For more information, view this Basic Search Tutorial or this Advanced Search Tutorial from the State Library of Ohio.

Why use it? Read articles from popular magazines. Find out about another country or culture. Search for solutions to that question you can’t quite answer.
NewsBank (Ohio's Newspapers)

NewsBank (Ohio's Newspapers)

What is it? Full electronic edition, excluding paid advertising, of the Cincinnati Post (04/01/1990-12/31/2007), the Columbus Dispatch (7/16/1985-current), the Dayton Daily News (1/1/1990-current), the Cleveland Plain Dealer (6/1/1991-current), and the Toledo Blade (1/1/1996-current). Searchable individually or in groups.

Why use it? Search for articles from newspapers around the state. Print or e-mail articles for future use. Read in-depth reports on current events.
Newspaper Source | (EBSCOhost)

Newspaper Source | (EBSCOhost)

What is it? Cover-to-cover full text for 20 national (U.S.) & international newspapers and selected full text for more than 230 regional (U.S.) newspapers, plus TV and radio news transcripts – updated daily.

Why use it? Read articles from newspaper around the country. Access industry-specific newspapers. Search TV and radio news transcripts.

Reference & Research

Academic Search Premier

Academic Search Premier

What is it? Full text for scholarly and academic magazines and periodicals - covering nearly every area of academic study including: computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language and linguistics, arts and literature, medical sciences, ethnic studies, and many more – from EBSCOhost.

Why use it? Conduct research for your next term paper. Discover in-depth articles on hundreds of subjects.
Explore Ohio | OPLIN

Explore Ohio | OPLIN

What is it? OPLIN's ever-expanding directory of Ohio-specific websites and links.

Why use it? Find Ohio-focused websites by category or by county.
Ohio History Central || Online Encyclopedia

Ohio History Central || Online Encyclopedia

What is it? An evolving, dynamic online encyclopedia from the Ohio Historical Society.

Why use it? Find information, images, timelines, maps, and documents about Ohio’s history, geography, geology, animals, and American Indian populations.
Oxford Reference Online

Oxford Reference Online

What is it? Wide variety of reference books online – including English and bilingual dictionaries, maps and atlases, timelines, an encyclopedia, and subject references – from Oxford University Press. For more information, view this Ten Minute Tutor from the State Library of Ohio.

Why use it? Search for encyclopedia articles. Identify quotations. Consult the dictionaries. Explore the subject reference books.
Student Research Center

Student Research Center

What is it? Student research tool for grades 6 through 12 from EBSCOhost. See this 5-min. Flash video for a basic introduction.

Why use it? Search the encyclopedia. Find magazine and newspaper articles. Learn about other countries – through reports, maps, and photos.
World Book Hispanica

World Book Hispanica

What is it? This comprehensive Spanish-language encyclopedia includes more than 100,000 articles, more than 8,500 images and maps, and nearly 1,000 videos, animations, sounds, and interactive media.

Why use it? It is designed for native Spanish speakers, bilingual students, and ESL/ELL program participants.
World Book Spanish

World Book Spanish

What is it? This is part of World Book Online Reference Center that is a Spanish-Language encyclopedia called Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos. It contains 2,200 articles and more than 600 illustrations.

Why use it? The Spanish Student Discovery Encyclopedia is organized so that the student can find information quickly and easily.
World Book Online

World Book Online

What is it? Resources include encyclopedic content, e-books, multimedia, a vast collection of primary source documents, and a wealth of research tools that allow students to customize and save their work. For more information, view this Ten Minute Tutor from the State Library of Ohio.

Why use it? Tailored for the needs and skills of older students, World Book Advanced integrates primary and secondary source databases in a single search.

Students & Homework

Kids Search

Kids Search

What is it? Research tool for middle school and elementary age students from EBSCOhost. See this 4-min. Flash video for a basic introduction.

Why use it? Search the encyclopedia. Look up words in the dictionary. Explore and search by topic.
Searchasaurus

Searchasaurus

What is it? Research tool for elementary age students from EBSCOhost. See this 4-min. Flash video for a basic introduction.

Why use it? Search the encyclopedia. Learn about animals. Look up words in the dictionary.
Student Research Center

Student Research Center

What is it? Student research tool for grades 6 through 12 from EBSCOhost. See this 5-min. Flash video for a basic introduction.

Why use it? Search the encyclopedia. Find magazine and newspaper articles. Learn about other countries – through reports, maps, and photos.
World Book Kids

World Book Kids

What is it? Thousands of colorful illustrations, diagrams, and maps enrich thousands of articles selected for appeal and cirricular standards, with teacher guides, provide instuctions and stimulating ways to use content in the classroom setting or for homework.

Why use it? World Book Kids is designed especially for younger users, English-lanuage learners, and reluctant readers. The site offers simple navigation, easy-to-read content, bright colors, and a graphical design.

Books, Arts & Literature

About:Books

About:Books

What is it? Everything you want to know about books & authors. For more information, view this Ten Minute Tutor from the State Library of Ohio.

Why use it? It is THE place to find read-alikes, author biographies, plot summaries, specific settings, specific genres, book publishing, and purchasing, series information, book reviews, and more!
American and English full text literature collections

American and English full text literature collections

What is it? Electronic books of American and English literature - poetry, drama, fiction, and the Bible - originally published in print – produced by ProQuest / Chadwyck-Healey.

Why use it? Explore American poetry from 1600 to the present. Compare different editions of Shakespeare’s work. Read early American fiction. Explore English drama.
ART Collection

ART Collection

What is it? Digital images of a wide variety of art objects including paintings, sculpture, textiles, and decorative art – provided by AMICO and several art institutes within Ohio. For more information, see this INFOhio video overview.

Why use it? Search for a work of art. Investigate an artist. Find art images to use in school projects.
Oxford Reference Online

Oxford Reference Online

What is it? Wide variety of reference books online – including English and bilingual dictionaries, maps and atlases, timelines, an encyclopedia, and subject references – from Oxford University Press. For more information, view this Ten Minute Tutor from the State Library of Ohio.

Why use it? Search for encyclopedia articles. Identify quotations. Consult the dictionaries. Explore the subject reference books.

Business & Government

Business Source Premier

Business Source Premier

What is it? Full text business articles, research, and news updated daily from EBSCOhost.

Why use it? Read articles from popular and scholarly business periodicals. Research industries. Evaluate companies and their markets.
Explore Ohio | OPLIN

Explore Ohio | OPLIN

What is it? OPLIN's ever-expanding directory of Ohio-specific websites and links.

Why use it? Find Ohio-focused websites by category or by county.
Ohio.gov: Government Information & Services

Ohio.gov: Government Information & Services

What is it? The official government website of the State of Ohio.

Why use it? Find government services and information for residents, businesses, visitors, and state employees. Reach the website of any Ohio government agency.
Regional Business News | (EBSCOhost)

Regional Business News | (EBSCOhost)

What is it? Full text for articles from over 75 business journals, newspapers, and newswires, covering all metropolitan and rural areas within the United States, from EBSCOhost.

Why use it? Research regional business conditions around the country.
Job & Career Accelerator

Job & Career Accelerator

What is it? The LearningExpress Job & Career Accelerator™ provides personalized, step-by-step job search assistance for all levels of job seekers. Job seekers can explore suitable occupations from over 1,000 detailed occupation profiles and find available jobs in their area from a database of over 5 million up-to-date job postings.

Why use it? With Job & Career Accelerator, users can easily create professional targeted resumes, master interviewing techniques, improve work related skills and prepare for occupation-related exams. In addition, it helps job seekers plan, tailor, and track multiple job searches at the same time while providing expert advice and tips each step of the way.

History & Biography

Biography Reference Bank

Biography Reference Bank

What is it? Biographies, obituaries, and photographs of thousands of individuals – both living and deceased. Biographies Plus Illustrated contains the full text of the articles from more than 100 volumes of biographical reference books published by H. W. Wilson, plus thousands of profiles licensed from other respected publishers; updated monthly. For more information, see this INFOhio video overview, or this 7-min. YouTube video.

Why use it? Find multiple sketches of the subject's life and accomplishments. Search by time period, profession, place of origin, and birth and death dates. View digital images for many of the subjects.
Explore Ohio | OPLIN

Explore Ohio | OPLIN

What is it? OPLIN's ever-expanding directory of Ohio-specific websites and links.

Why use it? Find Ohio-focused websites by category or by county.
Ohio Death Certificate Index (1913-1944)

Ohio Death Certificate Index (1913-1944)

What is it? Database containing death certificates of persons that died in Ohio from 1913-1937.

Why use it? Use the index information to help in obtaining a copy of particular death certificates.
Ohio History Central || Online Encyclopedia

Ohio History Central || Online Encyclopedia

What is it? An evolving, dynamic online encyclopedia from the Ohio Historical Society.

Why use it? Find information, images, timelines, maps, and documents about Ohio’s history, geography, geology, animals, and American Indian populations.
Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook

Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook

What is it? Project to bring together digital versions of historical collections from more than 330 archives, historical societies, libraries, and museums.

Why use it? Search or browse more than 26,000 primary sources dating from prehistory to the present. Take the Ohio Memory Challenge. Read essays about Ohio topics. Create your own scrapbook.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

What is it? Large scale street plans – including building outlines, property boundaries, and building use - produced by the Sanborn Fire Insurance Company from 1867 to 1970

Why use it? Locate buildings and neighborhoods. See a neighborhood "as it was". Study the growth of towns and cities. Identify the impact of new developments.

Science

Ohioline

Ohioline

What is it? Online database of publications from Ohio State University Extension Office; the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center; and the Agricultural Technical Institute.

Why use it? Find hundreds of factsheets, bulletins, and other educational materials covering a wide array of subjects - such as agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community development, 4-H, and youth.
Science Online

Science Online

What is it? The award-winning Science Online offers a comprehensive, curriculum-oriented overview of a broad range of scientific disciplines in a variety of useful formats. An ideal science solution for schools, libraries and homework assignments. For more information, see this INFOhio video overview.

Why use it? Tabbed search results and Boolean search capabilities help users easily find their desired results. High-quality print, e-mail, reduce and enlarge text, and save to folder capabilities; full database citations; a help page; and persistent record links are also available.

Testing & Exams

LearningExpress Library

LearningExpress Library

What is it? Comprehensive, interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial courses designed to help students and adult learners succeed on the academic and licensing tests. Create your own personalized and private account to track your progress. See this 2-min. Flash slideshow for help with finding tests and courses.

Why use it? Study and prepare for tests and exams. Track your progress. Practice taking tests and exams.

The Ohio Web Library databases are funded in part through an Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.