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Databases and Learning Resources
Welcome to our free learning and research resources. Our databases offer everything from language lessons to historical newspaper archives, from free courses on anything to business and company research. Peruse our broad collection to discover how our databases aren't just for research!
You can view all NPL databases in the A-Z list or select a category to narrow your search. Most databases require your 13-digit library card number.
- A to Z List of Databases
- Auto Repair
- Biographies, History and Genealogy
- Books and Literary Criticism
- Business Resources
- Educational Resources
- Government Resources
- Health and Medicine
- Languages
A
Accel 5 Business Video Library
Accel5 has upgraded to a new platform—EBSCOlearning Accel. Scroll down for the new link.
Access World News
Find information about global issues and events, business, education, the environment, health, government and politics, sports, STEM and more including newspapers, videos and web-only content featuring the Daily Press, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginian-Pilot Collection, USA Today, international sources and more.
America's News
Newsbank provides access to U.S. news from local, regional, and national sources from printed and online newspapers, blogs, journals, newswires, broadcast transcripts and videos from 1978 to the present.
America's News Magazines
Popular news magazines such as The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Parenting, Newsweek, Smithsonian, and 40 others.
Ancestry Library Edition (in library use only)
More than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases -- includes records from the United States Census, military records, court, land and probate records, vital and church records, directories, passenger lists and more.
Archives Unbound
Access historical documents for research and study needs of scholars and students at the college and university level.
Training Video.
Assisted Living Virginia
Access information about assisted living for seniors in Virginia. Includes statistical information, resources and directories.
B
Biblioboard
Content from traditional publishers, indie authors, cultural institutions and more. Supports books, articles, documents, images, audio and video.
Biography in Context
Access 600,000+ biographical entries about more than 528,000 individuals spanning history and geography in a curriculum-aligned resource updated daily.
Books & Authors
Explores the latest genre fiction, essential non-fiction and the authors behind the titles.
Brainfuse HelpNow
Homework assistance and live tutoring service for all ages.
Brainfuse JobNow
One-of-a-kind career assistance that covers all major aspects of job hunting.
Brainfuse VetNow
Helps veterans and their families understand and apply for eligible benefits.
Business Collection
Provides full-text coverage of all business disciplines through nearly 4000 leading business and trade publications.
Business Insights: Essentials
Information, news, statistical data and in-depth reports on companies and industries.
C
Chilton Library
Access step-by-step repair procedures, diagnostics, maintenance schedules, wiring diagrams, recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins for automobiles and light trucks.
Civil War Service Reports of Union Army Generals Digital Archive
Access Civil War generals’ chronologically arranged reports of activities associated with battles from 1864-1887.
The Civil War in Words and Deeds Digital Archive
Access first-person accounts of regimental histories and personal narratives from 1861 through 1865.
Contemporary Black Biographies
Access biographical profiles of important persons of African heritage including rising personalities, groundbreakers, and newsmakers in a variety of fields.
D
Daily Press Collection - 1989 to Current
Explore Newport News history through local news, events and people with the Daily Press Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.
E
EBSCO Ethnic Diversity Source
For studying the culture, social treatment, and lived experiences of ethnic groups in America, this resource includes e-books, biographies, speeches, interviews, letters, curated videos, and full-text magazines, newspapers, and peer-reviewed journals.
EBSCOlearning Accel
Accel teaches you professional and workplace-ready skills through short, engaging videos, book summaries, and articles.
Encyclopedia of Virginia
Access Virginia’s history, politics, and geography through the perspectives of its’ ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse peoples.
Encyclopedia of World Biographies
Access 7,000 biographies about notables from every part of the world and from all time periods.
ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
Online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education.
EVMS Consumer Health
Find reliable resources to help you find information regarding a variety of health-related issues.
F
Fantastic Fiction
Online catalog of authors and books for people who love to read fiction.
Free Rehab Centers
Nationwide list of free, sliding scale, low income, payment assisted and affordable rehab centers.
G
Gale in Context: Biography
600,000+ biographical entries about more than 528,000 individuals spanning history and geography in a curriculum-aligned resource updated daily.
Gale in Context: Elementary
Developmentally appropriate content that meets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.
Gale in Context: Middle School
Access magazine articles, newspapers, and reference books for students in junior high and middle school.
Gale Directory Library: Encyclopedia of Associations
Provides a comprehensive look at various types of legal documents.
Gale eBook
Explore this database of encyclopedias and reference sources within the Gale eBooks platform. For multidisciplinary research.
Gale General OneFile
Millions of full-text news and periodical articles, many with images. Updated daily.
Gale LegalForms
Access a wide selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms and resources across the most popular legal areas.
Gale Literature Criticism
Access an extensive collection of critical essays on contemporary authors with biographical/critical introductions as well as listings of principal works and sources for further study.
Gale Health and Wellness
Magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on health. Material is intended for informational purposes only.
Gale OneFile: Business
Provides full-text coverage of all business disciplines including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management, and strategy, as well as business theory and practice.
Gale OneFile: News
Provides access to more than 2,300 major U.S. regional, national, and local newspapers, as well as leading titles from around the world. It also includes thousands of images, radio, and TV broadcasts and transcripts.
Gale Presents: Peterson's Test and Career Prep
Search thousands of colleges and graduate schools, identify scholarships, take practice tests, create resumes, and explore careers.
GoogleBooks
Access the entire public domain book collection. Access bibliographic data, brief snippets or a few pages for books under copyright.
H
HeinOnline: Slavery in America and the World: History, Culture, & Law
(in library use) -Features a multitude of essential legal materials on slavery in the United States and the English-speaking world.
J
Just For Kids
Ad-free streaming quality educational videos, from read-alouds to tv shows like Arthur and the Berenstain Bears. Device agnostic, mobile friendly.
L
Libby
A collection of popular titles from OverDrive that you can borrow online through your NPL account. eBooks automatically return at the end of your lending period, so no more overdue fines!
M
Magzter
Browse full digital copies of your favorite magazines in entertainment, news, fashion, technology, travel and more. eMagazines are displayed in the same format as print magazines.
MasterFILE Complete
Multidisciplinary database of thousands of general reference publications, journals, books, primary source documents, photos, and more.
MedLinePlus
Detailed information about conditions, diseases and wellness, and drug information provided by the National Library of Medicine.
Mergent Archive Solutions
Moody’s Historical Manual Collection includes every Moody’s Manual back to 1909.
Mergent First Research
Industry profiles, state profiles, call prep sheets, and news and social content.
Mergent Intellect
Global private company data on over 110 million privately held companies, information on over 200 million individuals, and executive contacts for more than 90 million business professionals.
Mergent Online
Business and company research for over 60,000 publicly traded companies globally, full company history, and 30 years of historical stock pricing.
Miss Humblebee's Academy
Miss Humblebee’s Academy is an interactive online database of exciting games, puzzles and printable hands-on activities for children ages 3 to 6.
N
National Geographic Kids
Includes the complete run of the magazine from 2009 to the present as well as books, videos, and images.
The New York Times
(in-library use) - Enjoy unlimited digital access to the New York Times courtesy of NPL! Access includes the National, International, Chinese and Spanish editions, including articles, blog posts, videos and virtual reality content. All you need to access this service is a free account on NYTimes.com.
The New York Times
(remote access) - For off-site access, you will need a free account on NYTimes.com and this unique link. More details on our eMagazine & Newspapers page.
News Magazines
See America's News Magazines
Norfolk Historical Images
Norfolk Public Library’s collection of over 60,000 Historical Images from the late 19th century to the present. Contact the Sargeant Memorial Collection staff at 431-7429 if you need assistance.
Norfolk Journal and Guide 1916-2010
Provided by the Library of Virginia, the ProQuest Historical Newspapers--Black Newspaper Collection provides genealogists, researchers, and scholars with articles from the local, historical Norfolk Journal and Guide, 1921-2003. Virginia residents can create a Library of Virginia account completely online to access this database. Consult the Library of Virginia’s website to register for a free remote LVA account.
NoveList K-8 Plus
A comprehensive reading resource for fiction and nonfiction. With a fun and intuitive interface, and extensive proprietary content, NoveList K-8 Plus will help you integrate reading across the curriculum and support your young readers.
NoveList Plus
A comprehensive fiction and non-fiction readers' advisory resource that answers the question, "What should I read next?"
O
OverDrive
see Libby
Oxford Reference Library Collection
In-depth, specialist content and scholarly works from Oxford's award-winning Encyclopedias and Companions.
P
ProCitizen
Preparation for the U.S. Naturalization test including 100 instructional videos, practice exercises and quizzes to help with the Civics, Reading, and Writing portions.
Project Gutenberg
More than 42,000 previously published books for download or online reading. Accessible via computer, eReader, or mobile device.
Pronunciator
is a fun and free way to learn any of 315 languages with personalized courses, movies, music, and more.
ProQuest Publicly Available Content Database
Brings together publicly available scholarly content from around the world. It includes content from major subject repositories such as arXiv and open access journals including journal articles, pre-prints, books, conference papers and reports.
R
ReadIt! English Language Learner
For anyone with a good foundation in English grammar and reading skills, this a place to find reading material about a variety of subjects. Articles are short and written to support your reading skills as you learn about topics in English that you need for school and everyday life.
Reference Solutions by Data Axle
Access business and residential information for reference and research. Includes thousands of current job postings. (Formerly Reference USA.)
Research in Context
Magazine articles, newspapers, and reference books for students in junior high and middle school.
Rewards for Healthy Living
High-impact, rich content covering a broad range of health topics from chronic conditions, to preventative health, to navigating the healthcare system. Through game-based learning and rewards for educational achievements and progress, the free platform encourages individuals in the region to engage, increase their health knowledge, and change their behaviors. Register with an email address; no library card required. Provided by https://healthier757.org/.
S
Salem Press
Full-text primary source documents in American history with expert analysis and commentary.
Sanborn Maps
Access detailed historical street maps showing locations and owners of houses and businesses in Virginia towns and cities and fire insurance maps for nearly 100 years. Use of this resource will require a special username and password. Please call the Sargeant Memorial Collection at 431-7429 for assistance.
Study Guide Zone
Free study guides about a variety of standardized tests commonly utilized for admissions, licensing, and educational assessment.
T
Transparent Language
Transparent Language for libraries empowers anyone to learn 120+ languages anytime, anywhere, on any device. Includes over 20 indigenous languages, American Sign Language and Citizenship Prep.
TumbleBook Library
An online collection of eBooks for children. There are over 250 animated, talking picture books. The site also features Spanish and French books, read-along chapter books, non-fiction books, and exciting games and puzzles! It's unlimited and FREE!
U
Universal Class
Access more than 500 courses on subjects like real estate, writing, cooking, accounting, finance, history, law, mathematics and more. Courses include self-paced lessons, exams, assignments and discussion boards. Get real assessments, grades, and feedback from real teachers. All courses are accredited by the IACET and students can download a certificate of Continuing Education Units upon successful course completion.
V
Virginian-Pilot Collection
Search more than 25 years of Norfolk history with the Virginian-Pilot Collection. Coverage includes 1990 through the present including full-text, full-color pages, and web-only content.
W
What's Next: Books in Series
Get help searching series fiction: two or more books linked by characters, settings, or other common traits.
Chilton Library
Access step-by-step repair procedures, diagnostics, maintenance schedules, wiring diagrams, recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins for automobiles and light trucks.
Ancestry Library Edition (in library use only)
More than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases -- includes records from the United States Census, military records, court, land and probate records, vital and church records, directories, passenger lists and more. [This database is available only inside the Library.]
Archives Unbound
Access historical documents for research and study needs of scholars and students at the college and university level.
Training Video
Biography in Context
Access 600,000+ biographical entries about more than 528,000 individuals spanning history and geography in a curriculum-aligned resource updated daily.
Civil War Service Reports of Union Army Generals Digital Archive
Access Civil War general's chronologically arranged reports of activities associated with battles from 1864 -1887.
The Civil War in Words and Deeds Digital Archive
Access first-person accounts of regimental histories and personal narratives from 1861 through 1865.
Contemporary Black Biographies
Access biographical profiles of important persons of African heritage including rising personalities, groundbreakers, and newsmakers in a variety of fields.
Encyclopedia of Virginia
Access Virginia’s history, politics, and geography through the perspectives of its’ ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse peoples.
Encyclopedia of World Biographies
Access 7,000 biographies about notables from every part of the world from all time periods.
HeinOnline: Slavery in America and the World: History, Culture & Law
(in library use) - Features a multitude of essential legal materials on slavery in the United States and the English-speaking world.
Norfolk Historical Images
Access Norfolk Public Library’s collection of over 60,000 Historical Images from the late 19th century to the present. These are only a portion of those in our collections, so we invite you to check back from time to time. Contact the Sargeant Memorial Collection staff at 431-7429 if you have questions or need help.
Norfolk Journal and Guide 1921-2003
This collection provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with articles from the local, historical Norfolk Journal and Guide, 1921-2003.
Salem History
Access full-text primary source documents in American history with expert analysis and commentary,
Sanborn Maps
Access detailed historical street maps showing locations and owners of houses and businesses in Virginia towns and cities and fire insurance maps for nearly 100 years. Use of this resource will require a special username and password. Please call the Sargeant Memorial Collection at 431-7429 for assistance.
Booklist Online
Access reviews of books, audiobooks, and DVD titles with full coverage of the prestigious ALA award winners and other best lists. Also included are interviews, essays, and columns dating back to 1992.
Books & Authors
Explores the latest genre fiction, essential non-fiction and the authors behind the titles
eBooks on OverDrive
Collection of popular and best selling eBook titles that you can borrow online through your Norfolk Public Library account.
eBooks on Gutenberg
Enjoy a collection of previously published books that don’t hold copyright restrictions. Download to your computer or device
Fantastic Fiction
Online catalog of authors and books for people who love to read fiction
Gale Literature Criticism
Access an extensive collection of critical essays on contemporary authors with biographical/critical introductions as well as listings of principal works and sources for further study.
GoogleBooks
Access the entire public domain book collection. Access bibliographic data, brief snippets or a few pages for books under copyright
NoveList K-8 Plus
A comprehensive reading resource for fiction and nonfiction. With a fun and intuitive interface, and extensive proprietary content, NoveList K-8 Plus will help you integrate reading across the curriculum and support your young readers.
NoveList Plus
A comprehensive fiction and non-fiction readers' advisory resource that answers the question, "What should I read next?"
What's Next: Books in Series
Get help searching series fiction: two or more books linked by characters, settings or other common traits
Accel5 Business Video Library
Accel5 has been upgraded to a ne platform--EBSCOlearning Accel. See below for the new link.
Business Insights: Essentials
Access information, news, statistical data and in-depth reports on companies and industries.
EBSCOlearning Accel
Accel teaches you professional and workplace-ready skills through short, engaging videos, book summaries, and articles.
Gale LegalForms
Access a wide selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms and resources across the most popular legal areas.
Gale OneFile: Business
Provides full-text coverage of all business disciplines including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management, and strategy, as well as business theory and practice.
Gale Presents: Peterson's Test and Career Prep
Search thousands of colleges and graduate schools, identify scholarships, take practice tests, create resumes, and explore careers
Mergent Archive Solutions
Moody’s Historical Manual Collection includes every Moody’s Manual back to 1909.
Mergent First Research
Industry profiles, state profiles, call prep sheets, and news and social content.
Mergent Intellect
Global private company data on over 110 million privately held companies, information on over 200 million individuals, and executive contacts for more than 90 million business professionals.
Mergent Online
Access business and company research for over 60,000 publicly traded companies globally, full company history, and 30 years of historical stock pricing.
Reference Solutions by Data Axle
Access business and residential information for reference and research. Includes thousands of current job postings. (Formerly Reference USA.)
ERIC
Access 1.1 million bibliographic citations for a broad collection of education-related resources (1966-July 2004), full-text of approximately 107,000 indexed January 1993 - July 2004.
Gale in Context: Elementary
Access developmentally appropriate content to meet the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.
Gale in Context: Middle School
Access magazine articles, newspapers, and reference books for students in junior high and middle school.
Gale Presents: Peterson's Test and Career Prep
Search thousands of colleges and graduate schools, identify scholarships, take practice tests, create resumes, and explore careers.
MasterFILE Complete
Multidisciplinary database of thousands of general reference publications, journals, books, primary source documents, photos, and more.
ProCitizen
Preparation for the U.S. Naturalization test including 100 instructional videos, practice exercises and quizzes to help with the Civics, Reading, and Writing portions.
Pronunciator
Access various lessons and levels for learning 80 different languages using your computer and/or mobile device.
ProQuest Student Resources
Access historical newspaper, Norfolk Journal and Guide, 1921-2003.
Reference Library Collection (Oxford)
Access in-depth, specialist content and scholarly works from Oxford's award-winning Encyclopedias and Companions.
Study Guide Zone
Access free study guides about a variety of standardized tests commonly utilized for admissions, licensing, and educational assessment.
Universal Class
Access over 500 courses on subjects like real estate, writing, cooking, accounting, finance, history, law, mathematics and more. Courses include self-paced lessons, exams, assignments and discussion boards. Get real assessments, grades, and feedback from real teachers. All courses are accredited by the IACET and students can download a certificate of Continuing Education Units upon successful course completion
DiscoverGov
DiscoverGov provides simple, one-stop searching across multiple U.S. Federal Government databases.
Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
The CGP is the finding tool for federal publications that includes descriptive information for historical and current publications as well as direct links to the full document, when available.
EVMS Consumer Health
Find reliable resources to help you find information regarding a variety of health-related issues.
Gale Health and Wellness
Access magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on health. Material is intended for informational purposes only.
Free Rehab Centers
Nationwide list of free, sliding scale, low income, payment assisted and affordable rehab centers.
MedlinePlus
Access detailed information about conditions, diseases and wellness, and drug information provided by the National Library of Medicine.
Rewards for Healthy Living
High-impact, rich content covering a broad range of health topics from chronic conditions to preventative health, to navigating the healthcare system. Through game-based learning and rewards for educational achievements and progress, the free platform encourages individuals in the region to engage, increase their health knowledge, and change their behaviors. Register with an email address; no library card required. Provided by https://healthier757.org/.
Just for Kids Access Video
Free language learning videos geared towards children under its World Languages tab.
Pronunciator
A fun and free way to learn any of 164 languages with personalized courses, movies, music and more.
ReadIt! English Language Learner
For anyone with a good foundation in English grammar and reading skills, this a place to find reading material about a variety of subjects. Articles are short and written to support your reading skills as you learn about topics in English that you need for school and everyday life.
Transparent Language
Transparent Language for libraries empowers anyone to learn 120+ languages anytime, anywhere, on any device. Includes over 20 indigenous languages, American Sign Language and Citizenship Prep.