Access a wide variety of free online resources.
Library Resources
Enjoy these resources free with your library card. Simply login with your library card number and your PIN.
Find global information on topics related to business, economics, education, government, health, homework help, international studies, politics, science, social issues, sports, STEAM and more from a variety of news media featuring newspapers, videos and web-only content. (Newsbank)
Achieve your learning and career goals with our LIVE one-on-one academic coaching, practice test center, and online resources. Whether you are going back to school, switching jobs, or just want to brush up on an academic skill, the Adult Learning Center is a great place to start. (Brainfuse)
Ancestry Library Edition (In Library Use Only)
Discover genealogical information, including US Census records to help you explore your heritage. (ProQuest)
Black Freedom Struggle in the United States: Challenges and Triumphs in the Pursuit of Equality
Find approximately 1,600 primary source documents that represent a selection of primary sources available in several ProQuest databases. The databases represented in this website include American Periodicals, Black Abolitionist Papers, ProQuest History Vault, ProQuest Congressional, Supreme Court Insight and Alexander Street’s Black Thought and Culture. (ProQuest)
Access auto repair manuals and wiring diagrams based on Chiltons. (Cengage Learning)
Comics Plus Children’s Collection
This database offers unlimited, simultaneous use to comics, graphic novels and manga. The Children’s Collection includes access to children’s materials, including early readers and picture books. Register to login with your email in the top right corner. The LibraryPass app is available for download in the App Store and on Google Play. Content in this collection will contain story intensity, action, and violence equivalent to typical G or PG rated movies. Recommended for ages 5-10.
This database offers unlimited, simultaneous use to comics, graphic novels and manga. The full library includes access to childrens, teens, young adult and adult materials. Register to login with your email in the top right corner. The LibraryPass app is available for download in the App Store and on Google Play. Contains materials with mature themes, suitable for age 18+.
This database offers unlimited, simultaneous use to comics, graphic novels and manga. The Teen Library includes access to childrens and teens materials. Register to login with your email in the top right corner. The LibraryPass app is available for download in the App Store and on Google Play. Content in this collection will contain story intensity, action, and violence equivalent to a typical PG-13 rated movie. Recommended for ages 11-14.
Find information and advice on consumer products.
Get crafty with this online resource for all creative makers offering basic instruction to advanced techniques. There are over 1,400 instructional videos on the topics of cake decorating, cooking, crocheting, drawing, gardening, jewelry making, knitting, photography, woodworking, yoga and more.
CultureGrams *CultureGrams will not be available after Jan. 1, 2025.
Explore current reports on over 200 countries around the world including information on history, geography, customs and lifestyles. (ProQuest)
EBSCOhost Magazine and Newspapers
Utilize the intuitive online research platform used by thousands of institutions and millions of users worldwide. With quality databases and search features to find information fast. (Needs min: IE7.0 or firefox3.0 or Safari3.0 build412+, and Javascript, and cookies enabled. No Netscape support.)
Learn to code with a place to write and run your own code. Curriculum is available for Scratch, HTML, CCS, Javascript, Python SQL, Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, Ozobot and Sphero. Users are able to display websites, video games and apps they have created.
Foundation Directory Online Professional (FDO) (In Library Use Only)
Research and identify potential grant-making organizations with detailed information on foundations, corporations and government agencies. Includes information on the organization’s giving interests, application process, geographic focus, recent grant awards and contact details.
Access articles from a database of scholarly journals and other trusted periodicals. Best for academic research. Complete source for peer-reviewed scholarly articles across all academic disciplines. (Gale – AONE)
Gale Business: Entrepreneurship
Learn how to start, finance, or manage your small business. Includes sample real business plans, how to guides, articles, and more. (Gale – SBRC)
Gale Business Insights: Global
Compare global economies, countries, and industries with in-depth analysis on over 400,000 companies. Case studies, articles and robust data sets coupled with references and analytic tools. (Gale – BIG)
Find a collection of full-length business plan samples to help entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses.
Explore this database of encyclopedias and reference sources within the Gale e-books platform. Enjoy unlimited access to top reference e-books. For multidisciplinary research. (Gale – GVRL)
Find magazine, news, and journal articles on general interest topics and current events. Access general interest magazines and key serials in a single resource. Best for general research. (Gale – ITOF)
Access full-text medical journals, magazines, reference works, multimedia, and much more. This comprehensive consumer health resource provides authoritative information on the full range of health-related issues, from current disease and disorder information to in-depth coverage of alternative medical practices for researchers of all levels. (Gale – HWRC)
Discover biographical information on thousands of famous people. (Gale)
Find contextual information on a wide array of subjects. The solution merges Gale’s authoritative and continuously updated reference content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites organized into a user-friendly portal experience. (Gale – CSIC)
Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Learn about animals, plants, music science, sports, and more. (Gale – ITKE)
Gale in Context: Global Issues
Analyze important global issues and events through topic overviews, international viewpoints, news, and multimedia content. International academic perspectives on global issues. (Gale – GIC)
Explore thousands of topics across subjects including literature, science, history, and social issues using different sources. An engaging student experience merges magazines, news, multimedia and more. (Gale – SUIC)
Gale in Context: Middle School
Explore the most-studied topics including cultures, government, people, history, literature, and more. (Gale – MSIC)
Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints
Read selected articles and essays on controversial social issues. (Gale)
Access Washington state legal forms including real estate contracts, wills and estates, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord-tenant and many others.
Access literary works and authors throughout history, including full-text poems, plays, short stories, speeches, and more. (Gale – LITF)
Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test Prep (formerly known as TERC – Testing and Education Reference Center)
Plan, prepare and pay for college and life: 300+ practice tests (GED, PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, CITIZENSHIP, GRE, etc.), career modules, plus college and scholarship info. Library card is required for access. You will also be asked to register/set up an individual named account, with username/password determined by you, prior to taking any tests. (Gale)
GuideStar (In Library use only)
Access information about charity organizations and nonprofits, including contacts, financials, annual reports, board members and more. Search by organization name, geographic location, affiliations, incomes, people and keyword.
Explore full-text family and local history books, and US Census records. (ProQuest)
Discover the available commercial sites and buildings in Pierce County, along with County demographics and analytics.
Find career exploration, resume building and job interview help. Includes connections to live coaches who will offer personalized tips and help.
Watch on demand online videos with unlimited access. Includes the Great Courses, British TV and Cinema, World Cinema, The Criterion Collection, Kanopy Kids and a variety of entertainment and documentary titles.
Access competitive benchmarking data. Industry benchmarks are compiled from D&B’s database of public and private companies, featuring 14 key business ratios in 800 lines of business.
LinkedIn Learning for Library (For app, use code www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/piercecountylibrary)
Start learning with 16,000+ online courses in seven languages. Expert Instructors with real-world experience. Courses cover: Leadership, Project Management, Excel, Sales, Job Hunting, Photography, Videography, 3D and Animation, CAD, Cloud Computing, Python, DevOps, Data Science, Digital Marketing and much more. New courses added each week. Valid library card account required.
LISTA (Library Information Science & Technology Abstracts)
Research Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA) indexes with more than 560 core journals, nearly 50 priority journals and nearly 125 selective journals; plus books, research reports and proceedings. Subject coverage includes librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more. Coverage in the database extends. (EBSCO)
Discover over 2,000 picture books in 60+ languages. Every book includes English or LOTE subtitles and fully-voiced narration. New books and languages added every week! Mobile App is also available. Recommended for ages 3-8.
Learn over 70 world languages at your own pace, including English as a second language (ESL) tutorials in more than 20 languages. Explore Mango Movies to practice your proficiency.
Find reliable, up-to-date health information in a language you can understand. (No library card required.)
Access company and industry, private and public data, news, executive contact information and industry profiles – powered by data from Dun & Bradstreet, Hoover’s, Moody’s and First Research.
Morningstar Investment Research Center
Explore information from screeners, reports and other tools that cover more than 20,000 securities.
MyHeritage Library Edition (formerly World Vital Records)
Access a massive library with billions of Family History and Genealogy records, and 28 million family trees. Access key collections: U.S. Federal Census images and indexes from 1790 to 1940; military records; enhanced Social Security Death Index (SSDI) records; millions of newspaper articles; unique, exclusive local and world collections. (EBSCO)
Find newspaper content with the intuitive online research platform used by thousands of institutions and millions of users worldwide. (EBSCO)
Access news from a local Tacoma newspaper: News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA). Includes an “image” format option, which includes photos and a layout similar to the physical paper, with content from May 11 2018 to present. (Newsbank)
Enjoy this self-paced online learning tool to help you learn basic digital skills. From identifying digital devices to using email and social media, Northstar can help you find your way in today’s online world.
Search among thousands of popular fiction and readable nonfiction titles, including author read-alikes, book lists, book discussion guides, and more.
Search recommended reads for favorite fiction and nonfiction titles to find the next good book for elementary and middle school students.
Get expert help from a live tutor online. Also includes a library of lessons, videos, test and more.
Read newspapers and magazines from around the world. Access content from over 120 countries in 60 different languages. Read online or download. Includes the Economist, the New Yorker, the Guardian and USA Today.
Published International Literature on Traumatic Stress (PILOTS) Database
Access the PILOTS Database produced by the National Center for PTSD. It is an index to the worldwide literature on PTSD and other mental health consequences of exposure to traumatic events. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the PILOTS Database attempts to include all publications relevant to PTSD and other forms of traumatic stress, whatever their origin without disciplinary, linguistic, or
Find relevant and appropriate article content for all reading levels (Lexile and grade levels). Through easy topical access students can find information for their class assignments and research, while teachers can locate suitable news content to support their lesson plans and classroom discussions. (NewsBank)
Scholastic Teachables includes unlimited access to activity sheets and teacher-created lesson plans in a variety of subjects and themes for Pre-K- Grade 8. New resources are added to the database monthly. Content includes crafts, games, puzzles, printable coloring sheets, classroom management tools and a collection of mini-books.
Enables non-technical users to quickly create professional-quality thematic maps and reports using extensive demographic, business and marketing data. Limited to 5 simultaneous users.
Access a database of online e-books and educator resources perfect for middle and high school students. Includes a selection of Graphic Novels, Enhanced Novels, e-books, classic literature, National Geographic videos, educator resources and some audiobooks. (TumbleWeed Press)
Search more than 30 years of Seattle area history with The Seattle Times Integrated Collection. With coverage from 1985 – current, the Collection contains full-color newspaper pages, individual full-text articles and content only published online. (Newsbank)
Discover a collection of animated, talking, picture books for kids to view online. (TumbleWeed Press)
Explore engaging, animated talking picture books, all with a math theme. (TumbleWeed Press)
Continue your lifelong pursuit of knowledge with Universal Class, over 500 classes offered, online and self-paced.
Access investment data on companies, industries and markets and economies, plus investor tools and expert analysis.
Read full text from the Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition (1984-present). (ProQuest)
Explore and research people, events and issues across Washington State. This resource contains news sources from across the state including: The News Tribune (1992+), Bellingham Herald, Chinook Observer, Chronicle, Columbian, Daily Herald, Daily News, Daily Record, Daily World, Kitsap Sun, The Olympian, Seattle Times, Spokesman-Review, Tri-City Herald, Yakima Herald-Republic and more. (Newsbank)
WOIS The Career Information System
Find career and education program information for Washington state. (WOIS)
