Featured Databases
Research, learn, and be entertained with these online resources, which you can access for free with your library card! These are paid for by your Library and its partners:
BC Historical Newspapers – access 125+ years of digital news archives at no charge, remotely, anytime – no authentication required. This online access is made possible through a collaboration of academic, public, and school libraries across B.C. Log in straight from this page to search nearly 5 million digitized pages of news, ads, images and more that showcase B.C.’s heritage – a remarkable trove of content for research, teaching, and learning.
Bibliothèque Numérique by Cantook is a collection of French language eBooks and audiobooks from Canadian and international publishers. It includes popular genre fiction, bestsellers, non-fiction and more. There are titles for adults, teens and children. See the Startup Guide for how to check out French eBooks on various devices.
Creativebug – Explore and learn a wide-range of arts and crafts, from beginner to advanced, through video tutorial classes (free of advertisements). For all ages with over 1000 classes. Set-up a daily challenge, craft with a friend, watch CBTV to learn about your favourite artists and studios. Themes include Art & Design, Sewing, Quilting, Paper, Knitting, Crochet, Jewelry, Food & Home, Holiday, and Kids. Learn more here.
KnowBC Online (In-Library Use Only) Includes the following resources:
- Encyclopedia of British Columbia – With more than 4,000 entries and 1,500 accompanying photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips.
- Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest – A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes.
- The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names – A Complete Reference to Coastal British Columbia
- Far West – The Story of British Columbia
- Raincoast Chronicles 20 – Lilies and Fireweed: Frontier Women of British Columbia.
- Where Mountains Meet the Sea – A History of Coastal BC
LinkedIn Learning – (Formerly Lynda.com). This popular, professional, expert-led video learning database has a wide selection of online video courses to help you gain skills for your career and life. Topics include software, creative paths, business skills, personal development, and more.
Mango Languages – Access over 70 self-paced language learning courses and dialects. Learners are introduced to vocabulary, cultural insights, grammar and more. The courses are delivered by native speakers. They include critical-thinking and memory-building exercises. Sign up for a Mango profile so you can track your progress & continue where you left off. Or use “Mango as a guest” to access the resource.
Tumblebooks – This entertaining site for children presents full colour pages of eBooks for kids (K-6) and parents to read aloud and to read along with. It’s all controlled by you or your kids from a simple interface. Enjoy Tumblebooks for free. All Tumblebooks eBooks are instant-access—no wait times or holds!
Vehicle Safety and Inspection Standards Online (In-Library Use Only) Current vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation.
More Recommended Resources
BC Laws – Free public access to the Statutes & Regulations of B.C.
British Columbia Codes – Includes the current BC Building Code (including Plumbing Services) and the BC Fire Code. No library card is required to access these resources on the Internet.
British Columbia Statistics – Statistics on population, business, the economy, labour, and society. From BC Stats, the central statistical agency of the Province of British Columbia.
Canadian Encyclopedia — A comprehensive information source about Canada and Canadians, for students, the general public and scholars. Includes articles written by experts, as well as web links and multimedia clips. No library card is required to access these resources on the Internet.
Clicklaw – An Internet subject guide to authoritative legal resources in BC and Canada. Developed by the Legal Services Society of BC and now maintained by the BC Courthouse Library Society. No library card is required to access this resource on the Internet.
Gale Business Plans Handbooks – Actual business plans compiled by, and aimed at, entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses. Presents sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries which serve as examples of how to approach, structure and compose business plans.
Khan Academy – “Learn almost anything for free.” 3300 videos explain many subjects. No library card is required to access this resource on the Internet.
NewToBC English Language Learning Materials – Search for materials by language level, by language topic or skill, and by type of material. These resources have been recommended by English Language teachers and will get you started. Take the list to your local library to check out books that they have, or can bring in from another BC library via Interlibrary Loan.
Points to the Past – The searchable primary source material – maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, sermons, poems, and more – for research, teaching and learning. Supported by University of Victoria Libraries, University of British Columbia Library, and Simon Fraser University Library, in collaboration with Gale, part of Cengage Learning. No library card is required to access this resource on the Internet.