Whether you are looking for a good book or doing research, begin your search
here. You'll find tips and resources to assist you. You can use your valid, full service
Virginia Beach Public Library card to access resources listed on this page. When asked, enter your library card number with a capital D and without spaces.
Looking for a Good Book?Are you looking for a good book? Read reviews by Library staff at
VBPL Recommends, write a review in the Library's
online catalog, join a
book group or use the online resources listed below:
Booking Ahead: From Baker and Taylor, this list contains new titles soon to be published.
Dear Reader: Sign up for any of the free online book clubs. Each Monday, we'll send you a chapter of a book which takes about five minutes to read. If you enjoy what you've read, follow the link in the email to the library's online catalog to check on the status of the book or reserve it from the Library.
NoveList: Use NoveList to find fiction books based on books that you've read or topics in which you are interested in. There is a wide range of things to choose from including booklists, reviews and a huge database of books.
Read the Books: Help your child find just the right book. Use Read the Books to find both fiction and non-fiction books for kids. You'll also have access to book lists, book discussion guides and more.
Worldcat: Have you searched high and low for an illusive book, song, video or magazine article? Find it now by searching Worldcat. It's a global online catalog of all the stuff that libraries own.
Books and Literature ResearchAre you reviewing or analyzing a specific work, an author's body of work or a specific theme or topic? In the library, you'll find
literature criticism on the reference shelves and for check out. You'll also want to use the online resources listed here.
Literature Resource Center: College students, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as the sophisticated casual user, will find biographical entries, critical essays and reviews, author interviews as well as full-text poems, plays and short stories.
LitFinder: Students and researchers will find full-text poems, stories, plays and more. It also includes biographies, essays and explanations for further study, evaluation and enjoyment.
Literary Criticism Collection: Students will find critical and biographical web sites about authors and their works. Sources are both historical and international in scope.
SparkNotes: High school student? Try Sparknotes. You'll find literature study guides, classic books, and reference tools. There is even test prep for all the major college readiness testing including SAT and ACT as well as AP Subject exams.