Homework / Databases
What’s a database?
A database is a collection of information much like a book, but in an electronic format. For example, a database of magazine articles in electronic form may be searched using words, also known as keywords, in the title, subject, or body of the article.
How is what I’ll find different than what’s on the web?
The information in the databases you get from the library is from a reliable source, but when you find information on the web it may not always be accurate. Many times the information you find in a database was originally in a book whose publisher is reliable.
Can I use these databases if I'm not in the library?
If you are outside of the library and using a computer connected to the Internet you need to have a valid SCLS library card to use the library databases. If you do not have a library card click here to find out if you are eligible, and if so, how to apply for one online.
Click on a Subject
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BIOGRAPHY
The Biography Resource Center is a comprehensive database containing biographical information for more than 185,000 people throughout history, around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas. You can search for a person based on occupation, nationality, ethnicity, birth/death year, birth/death place and gender.
Contemporary Authors is a great place to look for biographical and bibliographical data on modern fiction and nonfiction writers –- including novelists, poets, playwrights, scriptwriters, journalists, biographers, essayists, and media people.
BOOKS & LITERATURE
LitFinder contains full-text literary works, including poems, short stories, novels, essays, plays and speeches.
NoveList K-8 Plus is a comprehensive reading resource for fiction and nonfiction. With its fun and intuitive interface, and extensive feature content, NoveList K-8 Plus will help you integrate reading across the curriculum and support your young readers.
Read picture books on the computer! Each colorful eBook features animals and is available in English, Spanish and audio. Also included are games, activities and resources for educators.
ENCYCLOPEDIAS & GENERAL INFORMATION
For students in grades 2 through 5 and their teachers. This resource brings together content from books, magazines, activity kits, and other online resources. It is designed to help students find information to help them in classes and to learn online reference skills.
Over 250,000 encyclopedic entries covering a variety of subject areas.
Combines detailed, printable, full-color maps of countries, provinces, and states with up-to-date statistical and local information.
The content from World Book Kids comes from the award-winning World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia. The site offers simple navigation, easy-to-read content, brighter colors, and a graphical design. Thousands of colorful illustrations, diagrams, and maps enrich thousands of articles selected for appeal and curricular relevance. From this site you can also reach The World Book Online Reference Center which includes the complete World Book Encyclopedia, the World Book Dictionary, Atlas, Web Links, Magazines, Historical Documents, and thousands of multi-media audios, videos, images, and 3D photographs. It also includes a Spanish-language encyclopedia.
HISTORY
Spans more than 500 years of political, military, social, and cultural history, highlighting the important people and events of the American experience.
Covers the important people, events, legislation, and issues relevant to the study of women's history in the United States.
Provides expansive and in-depth information on the people, events, and topics important to the study of African-American history.
Offers thorough access to more than 15,000 years of Native American culture, history, and heritage.
Explores the pre-modern world with in-depth focus on Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Offers full text from more than 2,000 reference books, encyclopedias and non-fiction books, cover to cover full text for more than 120 history periodicals, more than 59,600 historical documents, 49,600 biographies of historical figures, more than 110,200 historical photos and maps, and more than 80 hours of historical video.
Covers the people, places, and events in the broad expanse of history—from mid-15th century to the present.
Click here to search multiple Fact on File history databases at the same time.
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES
Courier News
Full-text articles from the Bridgewater, NJ, Courier-News from 1999 to the present.
Custom Newspapers
This newspaper collection is provided by the New Jersey State Library and includes the New York Times (full-text from January 1, 2000 to the present), Record (Bergen County, NJ), Record (Hackensack, NJ), the Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ) and many more national and international newspapers.
Features a wide variety of general interest and business magazines and periodicals, along with encyclopedias and reference books, ranging from 1980 to the present. Many articles have full text and images.
Revistas en Español
Provides full-text access to more than 140 Spanish language and bilingual products, covering a wide range of subject matter for current events to academic interests.
Full text for nearly 70 popular, magazines for elementary school research. All full text articles included in the database are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles), and full text information dates as far back as 1990.
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Click on various topics such as animals, art & music, health, history, people & places, science & math, sports, and stories. You may also search the encyclopedia and dictionary or look for pictures. Searches may be narrowed by reading level or type of information – magazines, newspapers, books & encyclopedias, biographies, radio & TV news transcripts, or pictures.
Proquest has a Children’s Module that focuses the search on current information about and for children. To select the Children’s Module once in Proquest, click on Databases selected and then click Clear all databases then click the box next to Children’s Module and click Continue at the top or bottom of the screen. Full text popular magazine and research journal articles are available.
SCIENCE & HEALTH
Provides clear and comprehensive information on conditions and diseases, health and wellness, mental health, and the human body.
Presents a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, biographies, and experiments.
LANGUAGE COURSES & TESTS for PRACTICE
Mango is the place to go to learn foreign languages at your own pace and in a fun and engaging way. Available languages include French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Italian, Greek, Russian, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese, as well as English as a Second Language.
Learning Express Library.com – LearnATest
LearningExpress Library includes math and reading skills improvement for fourth graders. You must register first as a "New User" using your library card # as your username and make your own password. See a reference librarian for help.
NJ ASK Study Program - LumosTestPrep.com
Lumos Online NJ ASK Study Program consists of practice workbooks, a diagnostic test, five practice tests that are similar to the actual test, and expert advice. The program adheres to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and complements class room training all year. You must register first as a "New User" using your library card # as your username and make your own password. See a reference librarian for help.
