*The New York State Library currently provides free access to online resources through the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL NY). This statewide program is funded by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services through a Library Services and Technology Act grant. Additional databases are provided by the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) system.
Databases & Online Reference
211CNY
Find local agencies and organizations that can provide aid and resource on a variety of health and wellness topics, including mental health, substance abuse, health care and more.
Academic OneFile*
Over 12,000 journals and reference sources, many of which are peer-reviewed and full text. It has extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and more.
Ancestry Library
Provides access to a wide range of resources for genealogical and historical research. It includes all available records from the United States Census (1790-1940); military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more.
While libraries are closed due to the coronavirus crisis, Ancestry is now accessible from home with your OCPL card number and PIN.
BookBrowse
An online magazine for booklovers - including reviews, previews, "behind the book" backstories, author interviews, reading guides, and much more.
Britannica Academic*
An accurate, current, and comprehensive resource for college-level learners, researchers, and faculty. Discover encyclopedia articles, full-text journal and magazine articles, primary sources, multimedia, and other unique resources and tools that make research easier and more productive.
Britannica School*
Thousands of up-to-date, curated and curriculum-relevant articles, images, videos, audio clips, primary sources, maps, research tools, recommended Web sites and 3 separate databases for elementary, middle or high school students. There is Read-aloud, a font size adjuster, and built-in translation tools support students with special needs and ELLs.
Business Insights: Essentials*
Provides in depth coverage of businesses, including company profiles, industry profiles, products and brands, financial reports, company rankings, histories and full text periodical articles. Efficiently research business case studies, competitive intelligence and career and investment opportunities.
Computer Database*
Computer-related product introductions, news and reviews in areas such as hardware, software, electronics, engineering, communications and the application of technology.
Driving Education Program - Practice Tests
Your Driver Education program contains the following state-specific information:
- 10 car practice tests
- 6 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
Educator's Reference Complete*
Resource for educators and education students. Provides access to periodicals covering pre-school to college and most educational specialties. Also contains federal and international reports and publications, including full-text for many titles cited in ERIC.
Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)*
Cross-search, read, download, and email chapters from a growing collection of reference books. There is no loaning or checking out - the books are always available to be read on your computer or portable device. GVRL has ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology built in for 19 languages and on-demand translation for 11 languages.
General OneFile*
Over 12,000 periodicals, newspapers, reference books and multimedia sources, over half of which are full text. The backfile extends nearly 30 years. Subjects include humanities, education, environmental issues, technology, health care, politics and more.
Business
- Small Business Collection: Collection of periodicals supporting business school students and entrepreneurs.
History
- Military and Intelligence Collection: Collection of periodicals supporting state and military affairs
- U.S. History Collection: A collection of journals covering of both current thought on events in U.S. history as well as scholarly work established in the field.
- World History Collection: Balanced coverage of events in World History. Useful both to the novice historian and to the advanced academic researcher.
Science and Technology
- Computer Database: Computer-related product introductions, news and reviews in areas such as hardware, software, electronics, engineering, communications and the application of technology.
- General Science Collection: Provides coverage of all scientific endeavor, including particle physics, quantum theory, advanced mathematics, and biotechnology from more than 275 academic journals and general science-focused magazines.
Health Reference Center: Academic*
Over 2800 journals and magazines, many of which are full text. It contains nursing and allied health journals, medical journals, newsletters and consumer health magazines.
- Nursing and Allied Health Collection: Covers all aspects of the Nursing profession - from direct patient care to health care administration – with content from more than 380 journals.
- Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine: Articles from more than 60 journal titles in the fields of physical therapy and sports medicine. Topics include proven treatment techniques, experimental research theses and many more.
InfoTrac Newsstand*
Access full text articles from more than 1000 major U.S. regional, national and local newspapers as well as leading international titles. Search articles by title, headline, date, author or newspaper section. New York Newspapers includes the Syracuse Post Standard (1996-current).
Kids InfoBits*
Contains over 100 age-appropriate magazines for grades K-5. Also includes Merriam-Webster's Elementary Dictionary, maps, flags, seals, charts and graphs.
Lynda.com
Lynda.com is an extensive collection of award-winning online courses and video tutorials to help you learn business, technical and creative skills. Achieve your personal and professional goals. Courses are taught by recognized industry experts. Learn what you want, when you want, from our entire library. Build custom playlists to organize courses you want to watch. Watch courses on your computer, tablet, or mobile device. Switch back and forth without ever losing your place.
Mango Languages
A fun and interactive online language-learning system to help you learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian, or English, just to name a few! Lessons range from basic to comprehensive language and grammar skills, and includes lessons in practical conversation skills, providing tutorials, films, and specialty courses in culture.
New York Heritage Digital Collections
A portal for learning more about the people, places and events that contributed to the making of New York State.
NewsBank
A comprehensive news collection ideal for exploring issues and events at the local, regional, national and international level. Diverse source types include print and online-only newspapers, blogs, newswires, journals, broadcast transcripts and videos. Explore a specific event or compare a wide variety of viewpoints on topics such as politics, business, health, sports, cultural activities and people. More than 60 Special Reports provide news articles, images, videos, maps and other useful content grouped for convenience under specific topics and themes. Customized email alerts can be set up to follow a particular topic or news event of interest.
Newspapers include all the Syracuse Newspapers (12/2/86-Current), Utica Observer Dispatch, Albany Times Union, and many major U.S. metropolitan titles. This collection is text only and has no images.
These search tips will help you get started and retrieve the best results.
Newspaper Archive
A searchable archive of digital images from US and international newspapers. Coverage includes more than 750 cities and over 2000 newspaper titles. Included in the collection is a searchable archive of Syracuse newspapers from 1857 forward. This collection includes full text and images of newspaper pages.
NoveList Plus
Database covering more than 120,000 adult, teen and children’s fiction and non-fiction titles. Find reviews, hundreds of theme-oriented book lists for readers at all grade levels, award-winning and recommended titles, read-alikes, book reviews and much more.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context*
Provides overviews, pro/con essays, articles from reference books, newspapers, and magazines, and links to websites, podcasts and videos on over 5,000 topics. Supports NYS Common Core.
ProQuest Digitized Newspapers: New York Times & Wall Street Journal
Retrieve digital images from the New York Times Eastern edition or the Wall Street Journal Late edition from 2008 to present. Unlike a database, you will need to select a date to view the newspaper image. Subject or keyword searching to locate articles is not available in the digital microfilm.
ReferenceUSA
A business and consumer research tool to use for quick lookups or creating customized lists. Includes listings for more than 14 million U.S. business, 4 million new businesses, 1.5 million Canadian businesses, more than 800,000 U.S. physicians and dentists and 210 million U.S. residences. Profiles include contact and other directory information. Advanced search allows users to do reverse phone number lookups, search by yellow page heading, business SIC code, zip code, SMSA and more.
Check out the RefUSA YouTube Channel for short video tutorials on key features of the database such as searching for trade associations, building a list of manufacturers and mapping the results and more.
Research in Context*
Resource for students in grades 6 to 8. Offers magazines, newspapers, primary sources, over 12,000 videos and more on a variety of topics. Supports national and state curriculum standards in language arts, social studies and science.
Testing & Education Resource Center (TERC)
This valuable resource includes full-length practice tests for GED, SAT, ACT, PSAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, TOEFL, U.S. citizenship, and more. It offers information on undergraduate and graduate programs and tuition and scholarship assistance, as well as resume, interviewing and networking advice.
Training Videos:
- Preparing For Exams
- Getting Basic Skills Help
- Finding Career Advice