Research Central: Directory
Start your research here! Select your topic and find free databases, books & web links!
Databases A-Z
Academic Search Premier
from EBSCOhostArts, humanities, science, social sciences, business, and technology journals, some with full text, and other electronic resources from 1887 to the present. *Online access to Consumer Reports from 1991 to the present.
African American Heritage
from ProQuestAfrican American Heritage is a digital resource exclusively devoted to African American family history research, with primary sources devoted specifically to African American family history, including census records, vital records, freedman and slave records, church records, legal records, and more. Access to Black Genesis and AfriGeneas is included.
Alt Health Watch
from EBSCOhostFull text articles on the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health care and wellness.
American and English Full Text Literature Collection
Select a text that inspires you, compare its language to similar works, learn about its author, or find out how it influenced other writers and read what they've said about it.Ancestry Library Edition
Contains thousands of genealogical databases including census and military records, birth and marriage records, immigration information, and more, with dozens of databases added annually.IN LIBRARY ACCESS ONLY
AtoZ Maps Online
More than 100,000 downloadable maps! Perfect for school reports, school lesson plans, personal research projects, and business reports. AtoZ Maps Online will also adapt to the screen size of any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.AtoZ the USA
Great for state reports, projects, and presentations! AtoZ the USA contains more than 115 country-based articles and 115 state articles for each of the 50 US states, five US territories, and the District of Columbia. Library patrons and students will find unmatched coverage of the country’s people, history, economy, geography, symbols, culture, and society.AtoZ World Food
AtoZ World Food contains traditional recipes for 174 countries of the world in all course categories: appetizers, soups, salads, breads, main courses, side dishes, desserts, and beverages. Additionally, AtoZ World Food covers food culture in six categories: National Cuisine, Regional Cuisine, Daily Meals, Dining Etiquette, Special Occasion Foods, and Food Trivia.AtoZdatabases
Comprehensive coverage of business listings. Research real estate, holding and investment companies, business services, etc. Includes national telephone directory for residential and yellow pages with reverse phone searching.Barron's Weekly
from ProQuest Global NewsstreamArchive of full text Barron''s articles from 1988 to present.
Biography Reference Bank
From EBSCOhostBiographies, obituaries, and photographs of thousands of individuals - both living and deceased, as well as the full text of the articles from more than 100 volumes of biographical reference books.
BrainHQ
Exercise your memory, attention, and more! As with physical exercise, brain exercise can help you test your brain and improve your performance in order to feel your best. BrainHQ has more than two dozen brain-training exercises organized into six categories: Attention, Brain Speed, Memory, People Skills, Intelligence, and Navigation. Access brain training on most internet-connected devices and at the right level for you and your busy life. Start today!Chrome browser is recommended.
Online account is required. Children under the age of 13 should have a parent or guardian open this account.
BrainPOP
Trusted learning resources, BrainPOP, BrainPOP Jr., and BrainPOP ELL offer cross-curricular animated movies, learning games, interactive quizzes, primary source activities, and a breadth of additional resources for students in grades K-12. Its topics span Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Engineering & Tech, Health, and Arts & Music. Perfect for teachers, lesson plans, students and parents alike!Business Source Premier
from EBSCOhostProvides business researchers with highly-refined tools they need in order to conduct sophisticated searches for business content.
ChiltonLibrary
Get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs. One stop for automotive upkeep from simple maintenance to basic and advanced repairs for most automobile makes and models since the 1960s (a few back to the 1940s).Comics Plus: Library Edition
Comics Plus: Library Edition brings unlimited access to thousands of digital graphic novels and comics to library patrons on any Web-connected device. Available in both Android and Apple app stores!Online account is required. Children under the age of 13 should have a parent or guardian open this account. If you already use our RBdigital Magazine service, the same account works for ComicsPlus.
Computer Source
from EBSCOhostProvides researchers with the latest information and current trends in high technology.
Consumer Health Complete
from EBSCOhostConsumer Health Complete has full text journals, magazines, and reference books dealing with health, wellness, fitness, and nutrition - coverage includes a focus on the complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health and wellness. Browse medical, health-related and drug reference books, read articles on health and fitness, and find sources for alternative health information.
Dayton Daily News
from ProQuest Global NewsstreamArchive of full text Dayton Daily News articles from 1993 to present.
Driving-Tests.org
Ohio-specific study exams to prepare for your driving exams. Includes 11 car practice tests, 8 motorcycle practice tests, 3 CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) practice tests, 3 online driver’s manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL), an FAQ section with detailed answers to 100+ DMV-related questions, and an online VIN lookup: https://driving-tests.org/vin-decoder/EBSCOhost Databases
Complete range of citation and full-text reference content available from EBSCOhost. Select a single database for searching or search multiple resources at once.Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos
World Book Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos is organized so that students can find information quickly and easily. It includes more than 2,200 articles, 250 maps, 1,500 illustrations, and bilingual navigation.Explora Primary Schools
From EBSCOhostDesigned with students and educators in grades K through 5 in mind, Explora Primary Schools provides a safe, trustworthy environment for students to look up facts for class projects or homework.
Explora Public Libraries
From EBSCOhostDesigned with public library patrons in mind, Explora Public Libraries provides easy-to-use features and reliable content from the world's leading magazines and reference books, grouped into easy-to-browse categories.
Explora Secondary Schools
From EBSCOhostDesigned with students and educators in grades 6 through 12 in mind, Explora Secondary Schools provides a far better alternative to websites and search engines for students to look up articles and facts for research papers or homework.
Exploring Issues
Exploring Issues provides focused coverage and clear analysis of timely, complex, and controversial issues. Great for middle and high school research papers, debate preparation, persuasive writing, and class discussions. Export anywhere!Fold3: History and Genealogy Archives
Find and share historic documents, with digitized images in the fields of African American, Native American, and Revolutionary War histories, and more.Gale Directory Library
GDL provides valuable directory information, such as Ward's Business Directory or Encyclopedia of Associations, accessible digitally anytime, anywhere. Get immediate access to vetted sources, find relevant results quickly, and make informed decisions - all of which can add up to a competitive advantage. Find revenue, compare companies by industry or location, sort by any field, export data for further analysis...the options are endless!Gale Virtual Reference Library
Reference eBooksInstantly access reference eBooks on many subjects. These trusted, authoritative reference works are available 24/7!
Global Newsstream
by ProQuestExclusive access to 85 full-text newspapers from the world-leading news, including Dayton Daily News from 1993 to current, and Wall Street Journal from 1984 to present. Research all over the country!
Global Road Warrior
from World Trade PressProvides cultural and travel information on over 175 countries. Perfect for students' research assignments or international travelers looking to learn about their next destination. Feature overview: Historical timelines for research assignments, articles & photos on the typical lifestyle in each respective culture, and recipes of a culture’s most popular dishes! Includes information on popular destinations along with practical guides for transportation & travel essentials for each country
Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition
from EBSCOhostThis rich collection of consumer health information provides access to more than 80 full-text consumer health magazines, including American Fitness, Better Nutrition, Harvard Health Letter, Men's Health, Muscle & Fitness, Prevention, Vegetarian Times and many others. While covering a wide variety of subjects, including information on specific diseases, users have access to Clinical Reference Systems reports, in both English and Spanish, and Merriam-Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary.
HeritageQuest Online
HeritageQuest Online is a comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources - rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids.Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center
from EBSCOhostOffers detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast. Full text is provided from leading hobby and craft magazines.
Home Improvement Reference Center
from EBSCOhostThrough a collection of comprehensive full-text content, this database provides users with detailed, user-friendly “how-to” information covering a variety of home improvement and repair projects.
JobNow
A one-of-a-kind job coaching service designed to help you land the job of your dreams! With support for every stage of the job search, you will feel ready for the interview. Starting at the beginning, try resources that will help match your interests and experiences to a career with eParachute. Get assistance with resume building with resume templates and OptimalResume, complete with video mock interviews. Best of all, LIVE Career Tutors are available every day from 2p.m. to 11p.m.JobsOhio ZoomProspector
Provides free tools for site selection, demographics, and consumer segment information.Kids InfoBits
from GaleGreat for homework research for young learners. Easy-to-use and features searchable content including books, magazines, news, and more than 13,000 images.
L 'Encyclopédie Découvertes
World Book's content translated into French. Written at a reading level appropriate for young native speakers and readers of French, as well as adults for whom French is a second language.Legal Forms
Access thousands of business, personal, real estate, state specific, federal, and general forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues.Literary Reference Center
from EBSCOhostWith full text of literary journals and respected literary reference works, LRC contains plot summaries, literary criticism, author biographies and interviews, and the full text of thousands of poems and short stories. Research an author, novel, or poem for school or personal interest.
Literature Resource Center
Full-text journal articles, literary criticism, reviews, biographical information, and overviews on over 130,000 writers in all disciplines, from all time periods from around the world.Lynda.com
A LinkedIn CompanyA leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. With over 4,500 courses to choose from, create a profile to keep track of your successes and tailor the course listings to your skill set. Mobile browsing is available for on-the-go learning!
Chrome browser is recommended.
*The Library cannot reset lost passwords. Please call 888-335-9632, extension 623 for assistance.
Online account is required. Children under the age of 13 should have a parent or guardian open this account.
Masterfile Premier
from EBSCOhostRead full text articles from popular magazines. Find out about another country or culture. Search for solutions to that question you can't quite answer.
Morningstar
Morningstar provides data on investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data.MyHeritage Library Edition
A massive library with birth, death and marriage records from 48 countries, the complete U.S. and U.K. censuses, immigration, military and tombstone records and more than 2 billion family tree profiles. Access key collections: U.S. Federal Census images and indexes from 1790 to 1940, military records, millions of newspaper articles, and unique, exclusive local and world collections.New York Times
from ProQuest Global NewsstreamSearch comprehensive coverage of this renowned newspaper from June 1, 1980 to the present. The Book Review (January 19, 1997 - present) and Sunday New York Times Magazine (January 5, 1997 - present) are also available. Articles pre-1980 are available with an in-library login. Ask at the reference desk.
Newspaper Source
from EBSCOhostPresents full text for 28 national and international newspapers. Also has selected full text for more than 260 regional newspapers, with some full text national television & radio transcripts.
Newspapers.com Library Edition by Ancestry
from ProQuestOnline access to 3,000+ historical newspapers. Dating from the early 1700s into the early 2000s, Newspapers.com Library Edition contains full runs and portions of runs of well-known, regional and state titles to small local newspapers in the United States and other countries.
NoveList K-8 Plus
Elementary and Middle School students can find fiction and nonfiction titles for school projects and for fun! Enter the title of your favorite book and click on "Find Similar Books". You can also search by your favorite author, title or series.NoveList Plus
A great stop to finding that next great read, with both fiction and nonfiction titles!NYTimes.com
Delve into the stories and topics that interest you most, from world news to the arts, Book Review to Sunday Review and everything in between. Get access to The New York Times at NYTimes.com, its international edition at INYT.com and its Chinese edition at cn.nytimes.com. Available on both Android and Apple apps.Ohio Death Certificate Index (1913-1944)
Index of death certificates in Ohio from 1913-1944. Use the index information to help obtain a copy of particular death certificates. Easily save, e-mail, purchase or print an order form online.Ohio History Central
From the Ohio Historical Connection, find information, images, timelines, maps, and documents about Ohio's history, geography, geology, animals, and American Indian populations.Ohio History Connection
Search within the State Archives of Ohio Collection. Full text resources include African American Experience in Ohio 1850-1920, Civil War, Military Rosters, and more.Ohio History Journal
Ohio History was established in June 1887 as the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly. For more than one hundred years, the journal has published peer-reviewed articles and book reviews on topics spanning the political, military, social, economic, and cultural history of our region.Ohio Memory
Established in 2000, Ohio Memory is the collaborative statewide digital library project of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio, with digital collections from over 360 cultural heritage institutions representing all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Historical treasures of Ohio such as manuscripts, maps, newspapers, photographs, and video are all available for the global community.Oxford Research Encyclopedias
Provides collections of in-depth, up-to-date trustworthy research on an ever-growing range of topics. Within the OREs, you’ll find world-class experts who give you an overview of a subject that you can understand in half an hour of reading or less.Points of View Reference Center
from EBSCOhostPoints of View Reference Center contains many topics, each with an overview, point and counterpoint argument. Providing a balance of materials from all viewpoints, it also includes over 1,300 main essays, leading political magazines from all sides of the political spectrum, newspapers, radio & TV news transcripts, primary source documents and reference books. It also offers guides for writing position papers, developing arguments and debating.
PriceIt! Antiques & Collectibles
Do you need your own personal, instant "Antiques Road Show"? With more than 60 million images, 127 searchable categories and intuitive search functionality, Price It! Antiques & Collectibles is the ultimate identification, research and pricing tool for collectors, dealers, appraisers and anyone in between.Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
from EBSCOhostA comprehensive database providing full text publications, including peer-reviewed journals. In addition to the full text, indexing and abstracts are provided for all journals in the collection.
Regional Business News
from EBSCOhostProvides full text for more than 50 regional business publications, 75 business journals, newspapers, and newswires, covering all metropolitan and rural areas within the United States.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Large scale street plans produced by the Sanborn Fire Insurance company from 1882 to 1967.Science Reference Center
from EBSCOhostTopics include biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, health and medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science and society, science as inquiry, scientists, technology and wildlife. Designed to meet every student researchers needs, Science Reference Center contains full text for hundreds of science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals and other sources
Small Business Builder
from GaleGale Small Business Builder is a step-by-step online planning tool for starting, managing and optimizing a business or nonprofit. The program’s intuitive dashboard walks users through five areas of exploration in order to develop a business plan focused on long-term success.
Online account is required. Children under the age of 13 should have a parent or guardian open this account.
Small Business Reference Center
from EBSCOhostExclusive full text for many top consumer small business reference books, as well as tools to address many small business topics. Includes business videos, a help and advice section, and details on how to create business plans.
Small Business Resource Center
from GaleA comprehensive database that covers all aspects of starting and operating a business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing, tax, and more. Great for entrepreneurs and students alike!
Small Engine Repair Reference Center
from EBSCOhostThrough a collection of comprehensive full-text content, SERRC provides users with detailed, user-friendly repair guides for all manner of small engines. Offers routine maintenance (tune-ups, brake service) as well as extensive repairs (engine and transmission disassembly) and allows users to search by product type, brand, model/engine type, specific area of model/engine type and model numbers.
Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage
Offers ready access to Standard & Poor's premium content such as industry surveys, stock reports and fund reports.Statista.com
Statista.com is one of the first statistic portals in the world to integrate data on over 80,000 topics from over 18,000 sources onto a single professional platform. Categorized into 21 market sectors, Statista.com provides direct access to quantitative data on media, business, finance, politics, and a wide variety of other areas of interest or markets. Great for business owners, students, and curious people alike!TERC - Testing and Education Reference Center
from GaleTaking a college entrance or licensing exam? Take on-line practice tests and use test prep eBooks to obtain your education goals. Looking for a college or graduate school or help finding scholarships? Use this database to search thousands of college and graduate school entries. Identify scholarships that meet their financial needs.
Online account is required. Children under the age of 13 should have a parent or guardian open this account.
TOPICsearch
from EBSCOhostCurrent events resource lets researchers explore social, political and economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics discussed in today's classrooms.
Transparent Language Online (TLO)
A powerful online language learning system that builds all four core skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. With 100+ languages to choose from and English lessons for speakers of over 25 different languages, there is something for every language learner. Mobile apps are available for language learning on the go!*Accounts created prior to July 1, 2018 are no longer active. Please create a new account using the link above.*
Online account is required. Children under the age of 13 should have a parent or guardian open this account.
Value Line
A comprehensive source of information and advice that offers reports, stock lookup, timeliness ranking, portfolios and more.Very Short Introductions
The perfect introduction to subjects you previously knew nothing about: from Climate to Consciousness, Game Theory to Ancient Warfare, Privacy to Islamic History, Globalization to Literary Theory. Very Short Introductions Online brings together titles from this well-known and established print series, via a highly discoverable and fully cross-searchable platform.Wall Street Journal
from ProQuest Global NewsstreamSearch the most circulated newspaper in the United States from January 2, 1984 to the present.
Washington Post
from ProQuest Global NewsstreamGet breaking news and analysis on politics, business, world national news, entertainment and more from the oldest newspaper in the United States from December 4, 1996 to the present.
World Book Advanced
Tailored for the needs and skills of students in grades 8 and up, World Book Advanced integrated primary and secondary source databases in a single search.World Book Early World of Learning
Explore Trek's World, practice reading with cool stories and discover fun facts all in one place! Created for younger children, this graphic-intense database helps you learn while having fun.World Book Online Reference Center
The World Book Online Reference Center includes all the articles from the 22-volume print set, plus thousands more.Access will end July 1, 2018.
World Book Student
Tailored for students in elementary and middle schools, World Book Student includes all the articles from the print versions of the World Book Encyclopedia, plus thousands of additional articles, learning resources, and research tools. World Book Student is also optimized for tablets for the ultimate mobile research experience.WorldCat
Lets you search the collections of libraries in your community and thousands more around the world.
Featured Research Guide
Sports & Recreation
Take me out to the ballgame. Any ballgame will do. Whatever your sports interest, here is the right place to find scores, highlights, facts and records. The Sports Research Guide is a portal to websites of professional, collegiate and high school sports. Stay in the game with WCPL's links to your favorite teams and players, both current and from the past. (Learn more.)
Featured Database
NoveList K-8 Plus
Elementary and Middle School students can find fiction and nonfiction titles for school projects and for fun! Enter the title of your favorite book and click on "Find Similar Books". You can also search by your favorite author, title or series!