Below is a list of the websites the library pays for containing resources often not found free 0n the Internet. You’ll need your library card to log in and while you can use most of them from home, there are a few that can only be accessed in the library.
1. Accessibility
2. Family History
3. Learning
4. Listening
5. Reading
6. Reference/Research
1. Accessibility
CELA – The Center for Equitable Library Access is Canada’s largest collection of books, newspapers, and magazines in alternate formats for people with print disability. This collection includes audio, e-text, braille and printbraille.
NNELS – The National Network for Equitable Library Service is an online collection of books in alternate formats for people with print disabilities. Download material directly or request assistance from library staff.
Ancestry Library Edition (In-library use only) – Ancestry provides genealogical and historical research resources. With more than 5 billion names in over 4,600 databases, includes census, military, court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; and passenger lists. For more information see Teresa’s guide to Using Ancestry Library Edition.
British Columbia Historical Newspapers – Discover history through the experiences of the people who were there. Check out 125+ years of digital news archives from 3 of B.C.’s oldest and most respected newspapers: The Province (1894-2010), The Times-Colonist (1884-2010), and The Vancouver Sun (1912-2010).
Points to the Past – Searchable primary source material: maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, sermons, poems, and more. For research, teaching and learning.
Learning
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.
Explora Primary Schools – A research interface for K-5. Simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, essays, and primary source documents to help students feel successful in their research. Easy-to-browse categories organized by popular topic to give students research ideas. Topic overviews that provide students with a starting point for research.
Gale Courses — Gale Courses offer patrons access to hundreds of instructor-led online courses covering everything from health and wellness to creative writing, computer programming, GED test preparation and much more. See “Getting Started” tutorial. Library card required.
LinkedIn Learning – Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Library card required.
Mango is an online language learning system teaching practical conversation skills for a wide variety of popular languages. With everyday dialog from native speakers, engaging interactive lessons, and a unique intuitive teaching style, Mango increases your ability to use, adapt and build on what you learn. Library card required.
Listening
Library To Go/Libby App – Download and and read or listen to best selling and classic books 24/7 on your computer, phone, tablet, or music player almost anywhere in the world. It’s free, all you need is your library card. Library card required.
TumbleBooks – an online collection of animated, talking picture books, chapter books, videos, non-fiction, and graphic novels which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love. TumbleBooks are created by taking existing books, adding animation, sound, music and narration to produce an electronic book you can read, or have read to you. Grade Levels K-6
Reading
Bibliothèque Numérique – French language e-books and e-audiobooks. Download and read or listen to best selling and classic books 24/7 on your device almost anywhere in the world.
Library To Go/Libby App – Download and read or listen to best selling and classic books 24/7 on your computer, phone, tablet, or music player almost anywhere in the world. Library card required.
NoveList
Looking for a good novel? Want to find book reviews? Desperate to find other authors that are similar to your favourite? Check out NoveList, a database of fiction books and authors, recommended reading lists, book discussion ideas and book reviews for all ages.
Open Library – Open Library offers over 1,000,000 free ebook titles to read.
PressReader – PressReader offers simultaneous user access to more than 7,000+ newspapers and magazines from more than 120+ countries in 60 languages, including extensive back catalogues of publications from Alberta, Canada, North America, and the rest of the world. Library card required.
TumbleBooks – an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love. TumbleBooks are created by taking existing picture books, adding animation, sound, music and narration to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you.
Reference/Research
AtoZ World Food – This resource contains more than 7,000 traditional recipes from 174 countries, along with thousands of ingredient, food culture, and reference articles, making it the largest food database of its kind. Library card required.
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.
British Columbia Statistics – BCStats is the provincial government’s statistical office. It provides statistics, economic research, information and analysis.
Business Plan Handbooks – A compilation of business plans developed by small businesses throughout North America. Access is made possible by the Small Business Accelerator at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at UBC with financial support from the Sutherland Foundation.
Clicklaw – Do you have a legal question? Doing your own legal research? Clicklaw contains accurate legal information you can trust. It is an easily searchable collection of legal information for British Columbians dealing with almost any kind of legal issue. Clicklaw resources are selected by the Courthouse Libraries British Columbia librarians, ensuring you can quickly find the most credible and relevant materials for your legal problem. No library card is required to access this resource.
Consumer Reports – Complete Ratings and recommendations on appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more. Reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services are based on reporting and results from Consumer Reports’ in-house testing laboratory and survey research center. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a not-for-profit organization, has no shareholders. Library card required.
Gale Virtual Reference Library – The Gale Virtual Reference Library Easy to Use Travel Guide e-books (requires Adobe Flash) allow you to read up about countries you want to visit without leaving your chair. Library card required.
Greenfile is a free database with an environmental focus, containing accessible information on topics ranging from global warming to recycling to alternate fuel sources and beyond.
Small Business Accelerator – The Small Business Accelerator offers free online access to reliable business information and tools for secondary market research for BC businesses and entrepreneurs. This initiative is led by UBC Library’s Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
SecheltTests.ca – Offers free driver training quizzes for people who are going to write their drivers licence test. What’s included?
Vehicle Safety and Inspection Standards Online (In-library use only) Current vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation.