Research Resources - Subject List
Please note: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, VBPL enabled all expired library accounts to access the digital collection, created temporary, digital-only accounts for new customers, and added digital library access to internet-only library accounts in order to maximize access to library resources. These temporary measures ended on Nov. 1, 2021. If you have an expired library account, or an account that no longer has digital library access, please come into a branch or call 385-0150 to renew or upgrade to a full-service account.

 Automotive

Chilton Library - Vehicle maintenance and repair information, including service and repair procedures, a labor estimating tool, vacuum and wiring diagrams, photographs and illustrations.​

 Biography

Biography in Context - News and biographical information on public figures searchable by a variety of factors, including name, occupation, birth and death dates, places or gender.​

 Books and Literature
Gale Literary Sources - Full text of literary works, journal articles, literature criticism, reviews, author biographical information and overviews.

Gale Literature: LitFinder - Access literary works and authors throughout history, including full-text poems, plays, short stories, speeches, and more.

Gale Literature Resourse Center - Gale's Literary Index is a master index to the major literature products published by Gale. It combines and cross-references over 165,000 author names, including pseudonyms and variant names, and listings for over 215,000 titles into one source

NoveList - Find your next great read with booklists and readalikes for your favorite books.

NoveList K-8 Plus - NoveList K-8 Plus is a trusted source of read-alike recommendations specifically for younger readers​

Something About the Author - Learn about the lives and works of authors and illustrators for children and young adults.

WorldCat​ - Find books, movies, music and articles in libraries worldwide.​

 Business, Careers & Investments

Accel5 Business Video Library - For just in time learning for the working professional. Provided by the Library of Virginia, this resource has short videos on leadership, personal effectiveness and business article summaries. (Use the following to login: username "libraryva@accel5.com" and password "V1rgin1a")

Business Source Elite - Business research information, including company profiles, business journals and publications.

Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly Reference​ USA) - Search for companies and people in the United States. 

DemographicsNow - Conduct market research with U.S. demographic data.

Financial Ratings Series - Accurate, independent information and ratings for banks, insurance companies and credit unions, with additional investment ratings for stocks and mutual funds.  When asked for your library account number, type VBPL then your account number. NOTE: VBCPS students, type VBPLS0 then your VBCPS Student ID number.

JobNow - This resource from Brainfuse provides helpful career coaching tips, resume building and other job resources. 

Morningstar Investment Research Center - Comprehensive financial information on investments, including mutual funds, stocks, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds.

Peterson's Career Prep - (formerly Career Transitions) - Explore career paths and view guidance and activities for job seekers and those investigating a career change.  

Peterson's Test Prep - (Formerly TERC) - Testing  and study software for college/grad school entrance exams.

Small Business Reference Center - Learn about starting a company, operations management, sales and more. Search b​y industry and  business types​.

Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage - Analysis and rankings on companies, industries, mutual funds and other investments.

Standard & Poor's ​NetAdvantage​ - Analysis and rankings on companies, industries, mutual funds and other investments. (Inside library link)

TERC​ - Testing and Education Reference Center with Career Module. Free testing and study software for college/grad school entrance exams.  Also includes career preparation courses.​

​Value​Line - Data and performance analysis on stocks and other securities.

VetNow - VetNow from Brainfuse is a resource designed to help our veterans find benefits, build resumes and even find job coaching assistance.

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 ​General Reference
e-Book Collection by EBSCO - Nonfiction titles covering a broad range of topics.

Gale PowerS​e​arch​ - Search for articles from thousands of e-books, magazines, journals and newspapers.

Gale Virtual Reference Library - View e-books on a variety of topics, including business, education and history. ​

​MasterFile Complete - News and magazine articles on a wide range of topics.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context - Articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents and magazine and newspaper articles on social issues

 Grants
 Foundation Center resources are available inside the library:

Candid Learning – This website provides information and tools specifically designed to meet the needs of nonprofits and offers live and on-demand trainings, webinars, e-books, and other resources to improve fundraising, overall sustainability, grantmaking, and transparency. Note: Free registration is required to use some of the resources.

GrantSelect - Search for grants from a variety of organizations.

IssueLab – This website collects and shares knowledge from the social sector as a means to help them do their jobs better and to deepen the impact of their efforts. Research and reports are available on over 30 Issue Areas. Additionally, curated Special Collections allow for deep dives into an issue, a current event or strategy.

Philanthropy News Digest – This website contains a digest of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide. It includes a list of recent, searchable and subject-sorted Requests for Proposals by large national funders. Register for free to receive daily alerts for news, jobs, and RFPs of interest to you, subscribe to newsletters, or to submit a job posting.

 Health
MedlinePlus - Search for reputable information about diseases, conditions and wellness issues in easy to understand language. Produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

 Languages

Rocket Languages - Learn a new language with lessons and games and stay motivated by earning points and badges​. (Currently VBPL has access to the basic level of the Rocket Languages program, which is provided by the Library of Virginia. For more advanced language training, customers would have to purchase an individual version.)​

 Law

Code of Virginia - Statutes, rules of the court and legal ethics opinions organized by title number and section and searchable by keyword.

Gale LegalForms - Search a variety of Virginia specific legal f​orms.

Available for use inside the library:

Lexis​- (available inside all library location except the TCC/City Joint-Use Library) Search news, business, public records and legal information.

​Westlaw Patron Access - (available at the Law Library): This legal research database includes state and federal statutes and cases, including many unpublished cases. There are limited consecutive sessions available for this resource. Please sign off at the end of your session.​

Westlaw is providing temporary remote access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Submit a request for access using our Ask the Law Library form. Staff will provide you with confidential credentials during normal business hours.

 Local History & Genealogy
Available for use inside the library:

Ancestry.com - Research your family history with census data, vital records, directories, photos and more.  See our Bonus Content page for access to this resource outside of the library. 

America's Obituaries and Death Notices - National obituaries and death notices (1999-present). (Accessible for VBCPS student accounts inside the library only.)

HeritageQuest - Images of U.S. census records and other primary sources materials.

​Norfolk Journal and Guide​ - Genealogists, researchers and scholars will find easy access to coverage of regional politics, society and events from 1921 to 2003.​

Sanborn Maps - Fire insurance maps for genealogists, planners and history buffs.

VBPL Digital Collections - Browse the library's digital archives for digitized images, books and other materials.

 Magazines & Newspapers

America's News - Full-text articles from local and national newspapers, newsmagazines and other news sources. (Accessible for VBCPS student accounts inside the library only.)

America's Obituaries and Death Notices - National obituaries and death notices (1999-present). (Accessible for VBCPS student accounts inside the library only.)

MasterFile Complete - News and magazine articles on a wide range of topics.​​

​New York T​imes - Full-text articles from the New York Times from 1985-present, searchable by date and topic.

Norfolk Journal and Guide​ - Genealogists, researchers and scholars will find easy access to coverage of regional politics, society and events from 1921 to 2003. ​

Virginian-Pilot - View scanned images of issues from 1865-1979 and text of issues from 1990-present. The historical issues of the Virginian-Pilot were purchased on behalf of VBPL by the Virginia Beach Library Foundation. (Accessible for VBCPS student accounts inside the library only.)

 Online Courses

LinkedIn Learning​ - (Formerly Lynda.com) Online courses that teach business, software, technology and creative skills to help reach your personal and professional goals. (If you are using the mobile app and it asks you for your library ID, enter "VBPL". That will take you to the login screen where you can use your library card and pin to access LinkedIn Learning.)

Peterson's Test Prep - (Formerly TERC) - Testing  and study software for college/grad school entrance exams.

Universal Class - Take free courses on a variety of topics to improve or gain work or life skills.​

Career Online High School. ​​ - An online high school diploma and career certification program available through VBPL. This program offers free enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.​​ ​

The Great Courses​.​  - The Great Courses Library Collection is the leading global media brand for lifelong learning and personal enrichment, with hundreds of courses spanning thousands of in-depth video lectures on subjects like Science, Health & Wellness, and much more. 

Read It! English Language Learner - Read It! is designed for middle and high school students and adults who have a basic foundation in English grammar and reading but need adapted reading material for a variety of subjects.

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