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.

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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

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

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.

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

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

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

U.S. Newsstream

  • Full text of premium newspapers from 1980 to present day; includes Wall Street JournalNew 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