Research & Learn
Our resources can help you write a paper, learn a language, fix a car, plan a vacation, and a whole lot more. Almost all resources are available anytime, anywhere.
2024 Tax Forms
2024 Federal and Illinois State tax forms.
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A to Z Maps
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data
- Weather, fishing, political and historical maps
- NASA maps
Use it for: Gathering GIS data, preparing for travel, printing educational material and handouts
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A to Z USA
- State profiles detailing demographics, crime, cuisine, economy, education, places of interest
- Historical information and photos
Use it for: Preparing for travel, printing photographs, school reports
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A To Z World Food
- National cuisine, regional cuisine, daily meals, dining etiquette, special occasion foods, and food trivia for 174 countries of the world
- 6,000+ recipes
Use it for: researching food culture and recipes for country reports, finding new recipes, learning about food history
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ABCmouse.com [Now available to use at home!]
- Award winning site designed to help children 2-7 build a strong foundation for academic success
- More than 4,000 interactive books, educational games, puzzles, and other learning activities
- Parents can create profiles for each child using one household account
- A robust assessment center, that can create customized lesson plans for each child
- Access ABCmouse.com from a library computer here
Use it For: A fun and safe place for young children to learn reading, math, science and more
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Ancestry.com [Only available in the library]
- Access to Ancestry.com’s genealogical sources
- U.S. and international censuses
- Birth, death, and marriage indexes
- Military data and city directories
Use it for: Genealogy research
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AtoZdatabases
- Find people by name or phone number
- Detailed information on U.S. businesses and consumers
- 7 million job and internship postings
- Resume & cover letter templates, interviewing tips, videos, and more
Use it for: Finding a job, compiling a list of businesses in a geographical area market research, competitive analysis
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Auto Repair Source
- Instructions and diagrams for vehicle repairs and maintenance
- Maintenance schedules and estimated labor times for the most commonly performed operations in a repair shop
- Technical service bulletins and recall notices
- Easily magnify and print diagrams and images
Use it for: Vehicle repair and maintenance
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BiblioBoard Library of Illinois
- Collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and videos
- Local content from self-published authors
- Large collection of classic novels
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Biography Reference Source
- More than 390,000 unique and reliable full-text biographies
- Search biographies by keyword, occupation, activity, nationality, gender, birthplace, and more
Use it for: School or research projects
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Chicago Consumers' Checkbook
- Easily find ratings, reviews and undercover price research on Chicagoland services and retailers, including doctors, auto repair shops, plumbers, veterinarians, tax preparers and more.
- Advice on more than 150 topics such as finance, home maintenance, healthcare, and travel.
- Chicago Consumer Checkbook is nonprofit, independent, and provides unbiased information.
Use it for: Researching the best local services for your home, finances, and healthcare.
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Consumer Health Complete
- Designed to help users gain an overall understanding of key topics across the health and wellness spectrum — from mainstream medicine to complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
- 483 full-text journals and magazines
- 348 health-reference books and encyclopedias
- 2,628 full-text, evidence-based health reports
- Consumer health pamphlets and leaflets from the CDC, FDA, NIH and others
Use it for: Basic health research, school work, accessing government health publications
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Consumer Reports
- Reviews, ratings and recommendations on appliances, automobiles, babies and kids products, food, and money/personal finance
- Money-saving advice and tips
- Reliable information on new and used cars
- Consumer news
Use it for: Researching products before buying, finding the best healthcare, cell phone and credit card plans
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Creativebug
- More than 1,000 award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
- Downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes
Use it for: Learning a new craft or building on your skills
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Driver's License Practice Tests
- Illinois practice tests and handbooks for car, motorcycle, and CDL
- Instant results after every questions and explanations for wrong answers
Use it for: Preparing for your Driver's License exam
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Explora
- Topic overviews that provide a starting point for research
- Search full text reference books, journal articles, and primary source documents
- Subjects include Arts & Literature, Biography, Business & Careers, Current Events, Geography & Culture, Health, History, Science, and Math
Use it for: Homework and research projects, developing school curriculum, satisfy curiosity
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Explore More Illinois
- A cultural pass program that provides discounts at museums, historical societies, zoos, arts centers, recreational facilities, and more around the state.
- Locations added often.
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Fiero Code
- Geared towards kids 8 -18
- Learn computer programming skills through self-paced tutorials and projects
- Build websites, video games, phone apps, animations, and more
- Offers courses on HTML, Javascript, Python, SQL, and more
Use it for: Learning computer programing and building critical thinking skills
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Flipster Magazines
- Digital editions of popular magazines
- Unlimited magazine checkouts
- Back issues available
- Use your computer or download the app to your mobile device
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Freegal Music
- Download or stream great music without ads or subscription fees
- Download 5 songs a week - from Sony's entire catalog
- Stream up to 5 hours a day, every day
- use your computer or download the app for your mobile device
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Gale Legal Forms
- Access a comprehensive collection of customizable legal forms, including bill of sale, contracts, divorce, employment, landlord-tenant, real estate, taxes, name change, power of attorney, last will and testament, and living wills.
- Includes Spanish-language forms, legal definitions, Q&A with attorneys, and summaries of state laws to guide you through legal processes with confidence.
Did you know? The library provides free notary services. Check out the services page for more details.
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Global Road Warrior
- Country profiles for business or casual travelers
- Guide to local customs, tipping etiquette, places of interests, terms and phrases to know, and cuisine
Use it for: Preparing for a business trip or personal vacation; finding authentic recipes from other countries
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Got Resume Builder
- Customizable resume templates, with a step by step resume writing guide
- Manage multiple resumes to tailor each one to a specific job
- Download your resume in PDF, Word, or HTML. Send your resume by email or share online.
Use it for: Creating a resume, polishing an existing resume, sharing your resume online
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Heritage Quest
- Genealogical and historical sources for more than 60 countries
- U.S. Census data from 1790-1940
- Revolutionary War Era Pension & Bounty-Land Warrant Application files
- Freedman’s Bank records (1861-1875)
Use it for: Genealogy research
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Historical Chicago Tribune
- Full text of the Chicago Tribune from 1849 to 1997
- Includes photographs, ads, and obituaries
Use it for: Locating a specific article or obituary, historical and genealogical research
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History Reference Source
- Covers topics in U.S. and world history from earliest civilizations through the 21st century
- Full-text journals, magazines, reference books, and primary source documents
Use it for: School reports, research, and genealogy
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Hobbies & Crafts Source
- Detailed "how to" instructions and creative do-it-yourself ideas
- Subject areas include arts & crafts, games & electronics, models, needlework, outdoors & nature, and scrapbooking & paper craft
- Hobby and craft magazines, hobby profiles, recipes, and videos
Use it for: Learning a new craft or building on your skills
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Home Improvement Source
- Includes information on home maintenance, remodeling, electrical work, plumbing, wood projects, outdoor improvements, decorating, and garden
- Comprehensive full-text content from leading home improvement magazines and reference books
Use it for: DIY home improvement and repair projects
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Hoopla
- Instantly borrow free digital movies, ebooks and more, 24/7 with Hoopla
- Use your computer or download the app for your mobile device
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Inkie.org
- A suite of resources supporting local authors
- Design and export your own e-book using Pressbooks software
- Submit your e-book for inclusion in Indie Illinois, Indie Author Project Select, or the Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author Project
- Read and discover e-books from idependently published authors
- Open to all Illinois residents and sponsored by Reading Across Illinois Library System
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Kanopy
- Stream critically-acclaimed movies, classic cinema, inspiring documentaries, foreign films, and a collection just for kids.
- Watch unlimited films in the Kanopy Kids collection.
- Stream on your computer, TV, phone, or tablet.
Use it for: Movie night or learning about something new
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Learning Express Library
- College prep practice tests: ACT, SAT, GMAT, GRE and more
- Career practice tests: ASVAB, teaching, cosmetology and more
- Career tools: resume builder, prepare for an interview, job and internship finder
- Basic computer and internet lessons
Use it for: Boosting your SAT score, preparing for a new career, brushing up on math and writing
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Legal Information Reference Center
- User-friendly interface designed to assist consumers and small businesses in general legal matters
- Full-text legal reference books from Nolo, the nation's oldest and most respected provider of legal information
- Thousands of federal, state-specific, and multi-state legal forms.
Use it for: Getting How-To instructions for legal issues and copies of legal forms
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Libby, by OverDrive
- Collection of ebooks, eaudiobooks, and magazines
- Use your computer or download the app for your mobile device
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LinkedIn Learning
- Premiere provider of instructional video tutorials taught by industry professionals
- Wide variety of topics including business, software, technology, and creative skills
- Learn at your own pace
Use it for: Learning new software, digital photography, and business skills
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Literary Reference Source
- Comprehensive database of full-text information on thousands of authors and their works
- Contains plot summaries, synopses, overviews, author biographies and interviews, literary criticism and book reviews
Use it for: Book reports, find literary criticisms
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Mango Languages
- Self-paced, interactive courses to learn 74 languages
- English courses for foreign speakers of 21 languages
- Interactive audio for pronunciation practice
- Memory building exercises, beginner and advanced courses
Use it for: Learning a language, preparation for travel
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MasterFILE Complete
- Contains full text for more than 1,000 reference books and over 164,400 primary source documents, as well as an Image Collection of over 502,000 photos, maps & flags
- Covers an extensive range of subject areas including business, health, education, fitness, sports and leisure, personal finance, general science, multicultural issues, DIY and fashion.
Use it for: Any research project
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Museum Adventure Pass
- Free or discounted admission to Chicagoland museums, zoos, and cultural institutions.
- Available for checkout at the Adult and youth Reference Desks.
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NewsBank
- Current and archived issues of Chicagoland newspapers
- Image editions of the Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Lake County News-Sun and more
- Full-text articles, color images, and content only published online
Use it for: Staying up-to-date with the latest news, genealogy research, and general research
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NoveList
- Book reviews, award winners, and read-alike recommendations
Use it for: Finding your next favorite book
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NoveList K-8
- Book reviews and suggested reading lists for students Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Lexile scores for books
Use it for: Book reports, finding a book to read
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NuWav Legal Documents
- Easily compose documents in categories like Divorce, Wills, Power of Attorney, Lease Agreements, Bankruptcy, Landlord/Tenant disputes and more
- Option to edit documents, print a blank version if you are on the go, or enter the required information
Did you know? The library provides free notary services. Check out the services page for more details.
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Points of View Reference Source
- Presents multiple sides of over 500 issues
- Features a Guide to Critical Analysis for evaluating controversies and enhancing critical reading and thinking skills
Use it for: Any research project, understanding controversial issues
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Public Records
- Public record data for real estate transactions, foreclosures, bankruptcies and new businesses in Illinois
Use it for: Market research, competitive analysis
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Science Reference Source
- Provides full text for hundreds of science magazines, journals, reference books, and high-quality videos
- Supports teaching and learning in high school science classrooms with more than 2,500 science lesson plans
- More than 1,050 science experiments
Use it for: Science research projects, High school science lesson plans
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Small Business Source
- Includes tools to address a wide variety of small business topics like starting and growing a business, writing a business plan, marketing, managing employees, and understanding legal information
- Full-text reference books provided by Nolo, a trusted source for business and legal information
- Business videos featuring interviews, lessons learned, lectures, and how-to tips for managing a business
Use it for: Starting and managing a small business, finding legal and practical advice tailored for entrepreneurs
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Small Engine Repair Source
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Repair guides for small engines and routine maintenance (tune-ups, brake service, etc.)
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Includes guides for extensive repairs such as engine and transmission disassembly
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Information on over 25 years of engine models
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Covers lawn mowers, motorcycles, tractors, boats, snowmobiles and more
Use it for: Small engine repair and maintenance
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Tutor.com
- No cost, 1-to-1 tutoring for grade school - adult
- Job seekers can connect with a job search coach for help with resumes/cover letters, practice interviewing skills and much more
- Available anytime noon - midnight, no appointments needed
Use it for: Extra help with assignments, proofreading essays, test prep, and applying for a job
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U.S. Newsstream
- Full text of premium newspapers from 1980 to present day; includes Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, and Washington Post
- Daily papers are added at 8am each morning.
Use it for: Locating a specific article or obituary, general research, reading current local, national, and world news
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Udemy
- Access to thousands of on-demand courses taught by real-world experts
- Topics include technology, business, design, personal development, and more
- Learn at your own pace with no time limits on course completion
Use it for: Learning how to code, prep for IT certifications, sharpen leadership skills, increase office productivity, tap into your creativity
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Weiss Financial Ratings
- Independent, unbiased financial strength ratings of banks, credit unions & insurance companies
- Conservative buy-hold-sell ratings of thousands of stocks, mutual funds & exchange traded funds
- Medicare Supplement Insurance - which plan to choose, how much it will cost, compare rates & plan benefits
Use it for: Researching the best Medicare supplement insurance, picking the best investments, and learning about personal finance.
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WorldCat
- Find items we don't have at LVDL Get books and journal articles from other US libraries and AV material from other Illinois libraries
Use it for: Finding unique, academic, and out of print materials
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