Research and Reference Resources

Online Resources by Name

*Available in library only.
** Morningstar Library Edition is available in all Madison libraries, and remotely to City of Madison residents only

African American Biographical Database -- connect now
The largest historical electronic collection of biographical information on African Americans includes information written from 1790-1950. The database includes profiles and full-text sketches providing both biographical detail and illuminating narratives chronicling the lives of Black Americans prior to 1950. Access to the African American Biographical Database is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
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Ancestry Library -- IN LIBRARY ONLY -- connect now
Search AncestryPlus for access to genealogy information in more than 4,000 databases, including census data, passenger lists, the Social Security Death Index, and much more. THIS DATABASE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARIES.
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Biography and Genealogy Master Index -- IN LIBRARY ONLY -- connect now
This database is a first stop index tool for learning where to look for biographical material on people from all time periods, geographical locations and fields of endeavor. Biography and Genealogy Master Index indexes any print product that includes biographical information on multiple persons. THIS DATABASE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARIES.
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EBSCOHost -- connect now
EBSCOhost offers databases of general interest, academic and business magazine titles, health reference information, and much more. Many articles are available in full text. Access to EBSCOhost is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
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Gale Electronic Reference Desk -- IN LIBRARY ONLY -- connect now
Ten titles of popular multi-volume reference sets: Encyclopedia of Education; Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia; Dictionary of American History; Encyclopedia of Food and Culture; Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law; Reference Guide to World Literature; Encyclopedia of Science and Religion; Space Sciences; Encyclopedia of Aging; Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice. THIS DATABASE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARIES. Ask staff for login information.
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HeritageQuest -- connect now
HeritageQuest provides access to genealogy records and books, including census data, local histories, tax rolls, cemetery lists, military rosters, and more.
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LearningExpress Library -- connect now
LearningExpress Library provides an interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help students and adult learners succeed on the academic or licensing tests they must pass. Create your own individual username and password to take tests and track your progress. You'll get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of your results.
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Literature Resource Center -- connect now
Search the Literature Resource Center to find information about authors and their works. The Literature Resource Center covers more than 90,000 novelists, poets, essayists, journalists and other writers.
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LitFinder -- connect now
Includes thousands of full-text poems, short stories, essays, speeches and plays. Also includes biographies, work summaries, photos, and a glossary. Access to LitFinder is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
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Mitchell OnDemand -- IN LIBRARY ONLY -- connect now
Find repair information and wiring diagrams or estimate repair costs for automobiles and trucks. THIS DATABASE IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY. Ask staff for login information.
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Morningstar Library Edition -- IN LIBRARY AND CITY OF MADISON RESIDENT USE ONLY -- connect now
Stock and mutual fund information from Morningstar.com. Find current and historical quotes for over 90,000 investments, and in-depth analysis for nearly 4,000 mutual funds and stocks. Plus, company and industry information and financial education tutorials. This product is accessible through a five-month trial (to March 31, 2008) courtesy of the Madison Public Library Foundation.
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NetLibrary -- connect now
The NetLibrary collection includes the searchable full text of over 6,000 online books and it will continue to grow. This collection was purchased from NetLibrary by a consortium of more than 165 Wisconsin Public Libraries.
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Newspaper ARCHIVE --connect now
NewspaperARCHIVE is a unique database of historical newspapers offered through EbscoHost. It includes close to 30 million scanned pages from newspapers spanning over 200 years. The content of the newspapers is not indexed by subject, and advanced searching of this very large database is not available. You may only search NewspaperARCHIVE in two ways: search the full-text by keyword or browse the collection by date and newspaper location & title. This is an invaluable primary resource for historical research and a unique tool for genealogists.
Access to this resource through EBSCOhost is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
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NoveList -- connect now
NoveList is a fiction database that provides reviews, annotations, and much more for over 135,000 fiction titles. It also includes other content of interest to fiction readers, such as Author Read-alikes, What We're Reading, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Annotated Book Lists.
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Overdrive -- connect now
A collection of Digital Audio Books that can be downloaded to a computer, burned to CDs, or loaded onto many portable devices.
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Oxford African American Studies Center --connect now
A premier resource for the study of African American history and culture featuring some free resources as well as some subscription-based resources. Madison Public Library has also acquired a print subscription to the African American National Biography reference series on which much of the African American Studies Center is based. Access is currently available in the library, but not remotely.

ProQuest -- connect now
ProQuest offers access to over 850 regional and national newspaper indexes including many articles in full text. Access to ProQuest is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
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ReferenceUSA Business -- connect now
ReferenceUSA Business provides directory information for about 12 million U.S. businesses of all sizes. Search by phone number, address, CEO, estimated sales and much more. Note: This service is intended for in-library use and for home-use only.
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TeachingBooks.net -- connect now
A multimedia website to generate enthusiasm for books and reading by providing original, up-close profiles of authors and illustrators, audio excerpts of book readings, guides to thousands of titles and a wealth of resources on children's and young adult literature all in one place. Access to TeachingBooks.net is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
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Value Line -- IN LIBRARY ONLY -- connect now
Value Line Investment Survey stock reports and rankings, as well as news, commentary, and investment planning tools. THIS DATABASE IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LIBRARIES: Alicia Ashman, Central, Lakeview, Monroe Street, Pinney, and Sequoya. Ask staff for login information.
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What Do I Read Next? -- connect now
Looking for something new to read? Using What Do I Read Next, you can find it. Search more than 100,000 recommended titles and 58,000 plot summaries by genre, subject, author, title, and more!
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WorldCat -- connect now
Worldcat is a database of millions of records describing books and other library materials from around the world. Use it to find items you are unable to find in LINKcat . You may request these items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Please read the ILL FAQ first. WorldCat is a registered trademark of OCLC, Inc. Logo used with permission.
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