Research Tools

Search full-text local, regional, and national news in The State Journal-Register, Chicago Sun-Times, Peoria Journal Star, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and more.

This comprehensive resource features nearly 67 million listings—this is about 90% of all recent obituaries and death notices published in the United States.

Unlock the story of your family through census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more. Available for in-library use only. 

Thematically paired fiction and nonfiction titles introduce early learners to the delights of reading while sparking curiosity, creating a natural springboard into the paired nonfiction text for deeper discovery.

Brainfuse offers virtual live tutoring, a 24-hour writing assignment review, study groups, flashcards, and more for learners of all ages. Adults will find tutoring and study guides designed for their needs, as well as a resume review service.

Britannica Library Children offers a fun way to gain new knowledge. Students will find it easy to conduct research, complete homework assignments, and work on special projects. 

Discover encyclopedia articles, full-text journal and magazine articles, primary sources, multimedia, and other unique resources and tools that make research easier and more productive.

A version of Encyclopedia Britannica that is designed to help students in grades 6-8 with homework assignments, school projects, and research reports.

Explore Chicago history through local news, events and people with the Chicago Sun-Times Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online.