Access the ultimate guide to car repair: Auto Repair Reference Center

Auto Repair Reference Center™ was replaced with The Chilton Library database. 

Search The Chilton Library.

The Chilton Library is one of many Information Databases available for free to London Public Library cardholders. See a complete list of Information Databases.

All about Research Pro

What is Research Pro?

The Library subscribes to many information databases which contain magazine , academic journal and newspaper articles, and in some cases, encyclopedia articles. These are all reputable articles which have gone through an editorial process and in most cases were published in print as well.

Research Pro is a tool that allows you to search many different information databases at the same time, with one search. It gives you a sample set of results from these information databases. Looking at the results, you can determine which information database(s) provides you with the best results for your particular search. Click on the information database name to get results for a specific database. Click on one of the titles in the results list and go into the database itself to see the article. There, you can also search within the specific information database for further results that might be of interest.

When should I use Research Pro?

When you don’t know which information database to use, Research Pro is a great discovery tool to help you find the best information database for your search. The search functionality is not as rich as for individual information databases and it is not intended to replace the complete in depth search that an individual information database is capable of. It can be great first step in your search.

How do I get to Research Pro?

There are two ways. You can click on “Magazine and Newspaper Articles” under My Research on the website or click on the link from the front of the Catalogue page.

Are all the information databases that London Public Library offers searchable through Research Pro?

We are able to provide a selection of popular information databases to search through Research Pro. Due to licensing agreements and different search capabilities, we are unable to offer the ability to search all our information databases with Research Pro. To make it easier to use, we have put together groupings of similar databases that can be searched concurrently. You may select as many or a few of these groupings as you wish based on your unique search requirements.

What’s the best way to search Research Pro?

Unlike searching the Internet, Research Pro performs phrase searches (e.g.”climate change” as one phrase). If you wish to search for both “climate” and “change”, you need to add the word “and” (e.g. climate and change) to your search string. You can use boolean operators (and, or, not) for your search.

As another example, if you are looking for articles about Obama and the economic bailout you need to search Obama and economic and bailout (instead of typing in Obama economic bailout). If you type two words side-by-side without using the word “and” in between those words, some databases will only show results when those two words are side by side in the article.

There are other boolean operators you could use. To help you set up your search, click on the advanced search button on the front of the Research Pro page. It has easy-to-use fill in the blank boxes.

How can I find an entire “full text” article, not just a citation or abstract of an article?

Currently, it is not possible to search only full text articles in Research Pro. Your search results list will include both full text and citations. However, each individual database does allow you to narrow your search to full text and/or provides you with information to determine if full text is available. Since each information database comes from a different vendor or company, each operates slightly differently. The best thing to do is to use Research Pro to get a better idea of which database is best for your needs and then to search that database directly to find only full text articles.

Biography in Context Database

Discover the Biography in Context Database

• Browse a list of names of individuals by occupation, nationality or ethnicity such as African-Americans or social reformers
• Enjoy learning about the life and background of famous figures, including Martin Luther King, Jr. or Governor General Michaelle Jean
• Find up-to-date magazine and newspaper articles on figures in the news, for example: Barack Obama
• Search for individuals’ names using a combination of factors such as African-American Nobel Prize winners
• Find a list of the writings of an author such as Maya Angelou or Alice Walker
• Look for names of individuals who fit a specific set of criteria; for example, a search for Canadian African-American musicians yields the names of Oscar Peterson and Nathaniel R. Dett
• Check for the names of famous people who share your birth year or place of birth
• Find a listing of the works of musicians, composers, and film directors such as Heavy D, Jamie Fox, Queen Latifah and Spike Lee
• Research in depth your favorite celebrity including access to full-text biographical essays, magazine articles, photos and website

What's a database? It looks a regular website to me.A database is a collection of thousands of magazine, academic journal and newspaper articles that are not available on the "regular" Internet. The Library buys memberships to these sites so you can have access to this information.

Why should I use a database? I can find this info on the web with a google search.Mmmm.... most of these articles aren't available on the "regular" Internet and you may find some info on the web after you've combed through 200, 000 search results. But the information in these articles has been checked for accuracy. Database articles are ideal for health research ... or any kind of research. They provide a reliable source of information. After all, no one is checking the "regular" Internet to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date!

Okay, you've convinced me. How do I visit the Biography in Context database?It's easy. Have your library card ready and click on this link. If you're outside of the library, you'll be asked to type in your library card. A Knowledge Ontario screen will appear - simply click on proceed. Sure, it may take 15 seconds longer than getting to google initially but the quality of the information you get and the more accurate search results make searching faster than google once you get there.

See all our Information Databases.

Consumer Reports: in the Ebsco Host Database

Search Consumer Reports Product reviews from the comfort of your own home.

By using the Ebsco Host information database, you can search and read thousands of articles from published magazines, including consumer reports, that you can’t access for free anywhere else on the web.

Here’s how.

1. In the “Magazine and Newspaper Articles” page in the Research section of this website, click on the link for Ebsco Host database. Note: if you are using a computeroutside of the library, you’ll be asked to type in your name and library card number.
2. On the search screen, click on “advanced search”.
   
   
    
3. On the advanced search screen, type in the item you are interested in.  In this example, I'm interested in digital camera reviews so I typed in digital cameras. In the field labeled Publication, type “Consumer Reports”.
   
   
    
4. Click on Search.
5. The results list will show you article titles and dates of publication. Simply click on the title to read the complete article. You may even print, save and email articles to yourself.

Go to the Ebsco Host database and try a search!

Help is available at your local Library or by telephone at 519-661-4600.

Health & Wellness spotlight

Discover the Health & Wellness Resource Centre Database

• find lists of trusted medical websites
• research prescription drugs
• find information on a disease or medical condition
• look up symptom information and which drugs you can take for them
• calculate your risk for diseases like cancer or osteoporosis

What's a database? It looks a regular website to me.

A database is a collection of thousands of magazine, academic journal and newspaper articles that are not available on the "regular" Internet. The Library buys memberships to these sites so you can have access to this information.

Why should I use a database? I can find this info on the web with a google search.

Mmmm.... most of these articles aren't available on the "regular" Internet and you may find some info on the web after you've combed through 200, 000 search results. But the information in these articles has been checked for accuracy. Database articles are ideal for health research ... or any kind of research. They provide a reliable source of information. After all, no one is checking the  "regular"  Internet to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date!

Okay, you've convinced me. How do I visit the Health & Wellness database?

It's easy. Have your library card ready and click on this link.  If you're outside of the library, you'll be asked to type in your library card. A Knowledge Ontario screen will appear - simply click on proceed. Sure, it may take 15 seconds longer than getting to google initially but the quality of the information you get and the more accurate search results make searching faster than google once you get there. 

See all our Information Databases.

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: Arts, Books & Literature

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	Hobbies and Crafts Find explanations, instructions, examples, patterns, recipes and more for a large number of hobbies, crafts and other leisure activities. Remote access available. [Ebsco]
	Literature Resource Center Contains author biographies, bibliographies, critical essays, overviews of literacy works, and links to author-related Web sites. Includes full-text articles from over 250 literary journals and access to numerous literature sources including: Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literature Criticism Select, and Dictionary of Literary Biography. Search by author, title, keyword, authors by type and historical timeline. [Thomson Gale]
	NoveList Plus K-8 Novelist Plus K-8 will help you find fiction and nonfiction books for school projects as well as your next favourite book. This database is filled with excerpts, first chapters, and reviews of books specifically for kids in Elementary and Middle School. Browse lists of award winners, find read-alikes as well as which book comes next in a series.
	NoveList Plus Novelist Plus adds 50,000 readable non-fiction to the Novelist database. You can search among hundreds of thousands of popular fiction and readable nonfiction titles, and also retrieve author read-alikes, book lists, book discussion guides, and more. All of this content is developed by Librarians and reading authorities who are experts in the field. [EBSCO]

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: Especially for Kids

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	eLibrary Elementary Designed for elementary students, this database provides full-text access to thousands of articles from newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, atlases, videos and more. Searching by topic provides students with a list of recommended articles and Web sites.
	Grzimek's Animal Life More than 4,000 species, including information on evolution, habitat, behavior, range and more.
	Infotrac Kids InfoBits Kids InfoBits targets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. It features a developmentally appropriate and visual graphic interface, a subject-based topic tree search and full-text, age-appropriate, curriculum-related magazine and reference content.
	Little PIM Mango for kids - an online language learning system for ages 0-6. [Mango / SOLS]
	NoveList Plus K-8  Novelist Plus K-8 will help you find fiction and nonfiction books for school projects as well as your next favourite book. This database is filled with excerpts, first chapters, and reviews of books specifically for kids in Elementary and Middle School. Browse lists of award winners, find read-alikes as well as which book comes next in a series.
	KidsSearch For elementary school research, this database provides access to full-text articles from over 60 popular magazines.
	PebbleGo A pre-K to grade 3 database for reading and research. PebbleGo includes built-in reading and research tools for emerging readers. PebbleGo makes learning and improving reading and research skills fun, building on children’s interest. Two separate databases: PebbleGo Animals and PebbleGo Earth & Space, are simple to navigate and offer key reading supports of read-along audio and word-by-word highlighting. [EduRef/SOLS]
	TumbleBook Library TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of TumbleBooks - animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books in order to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you.
	World Book for Kids A fabulous homework resource filled with articles, pictures, maps, activities and games. [World Book Online]

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: General and Social Sciences

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA) Indexes articles from Canadian and some American magazines and newspapers in all subject areas including current events, business, education, science and medicine, art, law, and lifestyles, all with a Canadian focus. Many full-text articles available. The Central Library holds many of the magazines for which full-text articles are not provided. Coverage from 1982 to the present. [Proquest]
	Canadian Points of View Reference Center" Canadian Points of View Reference Centre™ is a full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. The database provides information on 100 key topics of interest to Canadian researchers, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument), counterpoint (opposing argument), and Critical Thinking Guide. [EBSCO]
	Canadian Reference Centre This database includes leading Canadian periodicals and international (U.S. and U.K.) periodicals in full text; full-text reference books; 84,774 full-text biographies, and an Image Collection of 285,912 photos, maps and flags. This database is updated daily. [EBSCO]
	Discovering Collection Thousands of overview essays, critical analyses, biographies, timelines and multimedia elements comprise the Discovering Collection comprehensive online reference resource. Learn more about how to use the Discovering Collection database by watching this quick video tutorial provided by Gale. [Gale]
	EBSCO Host Two databases (Canadian Reference Centre and MasterFILE Elite) with indexes and full-text articles from many magazines, newspapers and other reference publications. The Central Library has many of the magazines for which full-text articles are not provided. Coverage from 1984 to present. [Ebsco]
	eLibrary Canada Includes full-text articles from newspapers, magazines and reference books on a wide range of subjects. Also includes maps, pictures, television and radio transcripts, audio and video files as well as links to pre-selected Web sites. Canadian, U.S. and international coverage from 1981 to present. [Micromedia Proquest]
	MasterFILE Premier Full-text articles from more than 2,000 primarily U.S. periodicals covering a broad range of disciplines. Indexing and abstracts to an additional 2,800 periodicals are included. The database features: book reviews, reference and travel books, biographies, full-text primary source documents, pamphlets and an Image Collection of photos, maps and flags. The Central library holds many of the magazines for which full-text articles are not provided. [EBSCO]
	Statistics Canada Some free publications are available at the Statistics Canada website http://www.statcan.ca/start.html . Many additional publications are available online through any London Public Library computer. These documents can only be accessed while in a Library location. Ask staff for more information. Available only in Library(all locations).
	World Book Online An online version of the 22-volume print encyclopedia set. Also contains multimedia, maps, editor-reviewed websites and more. [World Book]

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: Health and Wellness

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	Consumer Health Complete This full text database covers topics such as aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs & alcohol, fitness, nutrition & dietetics, children's health, men & women's health, and more.
	Health and Wellness Resource Center Consumer health resource providing current information from over 400 health and medical journals, 2,200 general interest magazines, health encyclopedias and links to other Web sites.
	Health Reference Centre Academic A collection of general interest health and fitness magazines, medical and professional periodicals, reference books and pamphlets. Designed for nursing and allied health students, as well as consumer health researchers. Remote access available. [Gale/SOLS]
	Teen Health and Wellness Teen Health and Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers is a comprehensive database that allows teens (and those who care about teens) to research health-related issues important to their well-being. Remote access available. [Rosen]

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: History, Biography & Genealogy

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	Ancestry Library ProQuest has partnered with MyFamily.com to create Ancestry® Library Edition, one of the most important genealogical collections available today. It has unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada and other areas.  [ProQuest]
	Biography in Context This database integrates award-winning biographies from respected encyclopedias with related full-text articles from hundreds of periodicals, as well as tens of thousands of images and links to hand-picked web sites. Search for people---both current and historic from all eras and fields of endeavor---based on name, occupation, nationality, ethnicity, birth/death dates and places, as well as keyword and full text. Or, combine search criteria to create a highly-targeted custom search.
	Canada's Heritage from 1844 (The Globe and Mail) Complete contents of The Globe and Mail from 1844 to December 2003, searchable by subject and date. [Micromedia Proquest]
	EBSCO Host Two databases (Canadian Reference Centre and MasterFILE Elite) with indexes and full-text articles from many magazines, newspapers and other reference publications. The Central Library has many of the magazines for which full-text articles are not provided. Coverage from 1984 to present. [Ebsco]

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: News, Careers and Business

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA) Indexes articles from Canadian and some American magazines and newspapers in all subject areas including current events, business, education, science and medicine, art, law, and lifestyles, all with a Canadian focus. Many full-text articles available. The Central Library holds many of the magazines for which full-text articles are not provided. Coverage from 1982 to the present. [Proquest]
	Canada's Heritage from 1844 (The Globe and Mail) Complete contents of The Globe and Mail from 1844 to December 2003, searchable by subject and date. [Micromedia Proquest]
	Career Cruising Interactive Canadian career resource designed to help users explore different career options, as well as plan future education and training. Includes assessment tools and post-secondary education information. In addition, it gives access to real-time information and statistics. Hundreds of detailed occupation profiles can be accessed, including job descriptions, working conditions, education and training, earnings and job outlooks. [Anaca Technologies]
	infoCanada Business Directory Find accurate, phone-verified information on every company in Canada in this database of 1.5 million businesses. Search criteria include: location, employee size, sales volume, and NAICS codes. Remote access available.
	London Free Press Full-text coverage from the London Free Press, 1995 to present. Available only in Library (all locations). [Sun Media Archive]

Magazine and Newspaper Articles: Science and Technology

Arts, Books and Literature

Health and Wellness

History, Biography and Genealogy 

Science and Technology

News, Careers and Business

General and Social Sciences

Especially for Kids

	AccessScience Current, authoritative scientific information for students and science buffs. Includes video clips, biographies and weekly Q&A. [McGraw-Hill]
	Science in Context Authoritative information for assignments and projects, providing detailed coverage of popular subjects from earth science and life science, to space, technology, mathematics and science history and biography.

Mango Languages

What is Mango Languages?

Mango Languages is an online language-learning system that teaches actual conversation skills for 12 different languages. In some instances it can also be used as an ESL learning tool. It's so easy to use and you'll see incredible results after just one lesson! It is the place to go to have fun while learning a foreign language.

What are some of the languages I can learn?

You can learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portugese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian and Russian and more.

How is Mango Languages different from other language learning programs?

Mango Languages uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language. By listening to and repeating after material designed from native conversations, you’ll not only learn the individual words and phrases, you’ll know how they’re used in practical situations and conversations.

What does Mango Languages offer me?

• Learn a language online at your own pace
• Start speaking your new language immediately
• Basic courses for travelers or more in-depth courses to take you beyond the basics
• Pick your learning level

How much does it cost?

It is Free when you use access Mango Languages with your London Public Library card. A savings of over $150.00 per course.

How do I begin using Mango Languages

Mango Languages Link

You can always find it by clicking on the research tab on our website, select the information databases link on the list and scroll down to Mango Languages.

Note: If you're outside of the library, you'll be asked to type in your library card. The first time you use Mango Languages you will be asked to create a user account. This will help you keep track of your progress as you learn your new language. Afterwards, you will log in with your own user name and password.

See all our information databases.

Mango Languages

What is Mango Languages?

Mango Languages is an online language-learning system that teaches actual conversation skills for 12 different languages. In some instances it can also be used as an ESL learning tool. It's so easy to use and you'll see incredible results after just one lesson! It is the place to go to have fun while learning a foreign language.

What are some of the languages I can learn?

You can learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portugese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian and Russian and more.

How is Mango Languages different from other language learning programs?

Mango Languages uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language. By listening to and repeating after material designed from native conversations, you’ll not only learn the individual words and phrases, you’ll know how they’re used in practical situations and conversations.

What does Mango Languages offer me?

• Learn a language online at your own pace
• Start speaking your new language immediately
• Basic courses for travelers or more in-depth courses to take you beyond the basics
• Pick your learning level

How much does it cost?

It is Free when you use access Mango Languages with your London Public Library card. A savings of over $150.00 per course.

How do I begin using Mango Languages

Mango Languages Link

You can always find it by clicking on the research tab on our website, select the information databases link on the list and scroll down to Mango Languages.

Note: If you're outside of the library, you'll be asked to type in your library card. The first time you use Mango Languages you will be asked to create a user account. This will help you keep track of your progress as you learn your new language. Afterwards, you will log in with your own user name and password.

See all our information databases.

Science Reference Center

Discover the Science Reference Center database

• Find a biography of Sigmund Freud
• Research the effect of computers on society
• Find information on the reactivity of metals
• Look up essays on the Amazonian rain forest
• Learn how wind turbines work

What's a database? It looks a regular website to me.

• A searchable collection of thousands of magazine, academic journal and newspaper articles that are not available on the "regular" Internet.
• The Library buys memberships to these sites so you can have access to this information.

One of a few hundred results when Science Resource Center is searched for articles on Wind Turbines. Clicking on "HTML Full Text" takes the user directly to the article.

Why should I use a database?

• Reliable information that's been checked for accuracy
• Most of these articles aren't available on the "regular" Internet and you may find some info on the web after you've combed through 200, 000 search results.
• Database articles are ideal for health research ... or any kind of research. They provide a reliable source of information.

Okay, you've convinced me. How do I visit the Science Reference Center database?

It's easy. Have your library card ready and click on this link.

If you're outside of the library, you'll be asked to type in your library card. A Knowledge Ontario screen will appear - simply click on “Proceed”. Sure, it may take 15 seconds longer than getting to Google initially but the quality of the information you get and the more accurate search results make searching faster than Google once you get there.

See all our Information Databases.

What's a Database?

What’s an Information Database?

• some contain a collection of magazine, journal and newspaper articles that you can search from a computer. Others such as Novelist provide reading recommendations based on your criteria and book information. You can even research your family history or find instructions for fixing your car in some databases. Some databases even have entire books!
• most databases provide a combination of summaries and the entire article (full-text)

Why would I want to use these?

Have you ever needed information and someone else had already borrowed the book? Have you found yourself spending time searching on the Internet and trying to decide which information was accurate and current?
The articles in the information databases are

• accurate
• objective
• current
• reliable
• easy and quick to find
• covering a variety of subjects such as medical information, car repair, genealogy, consumer help: it’s all there!

Can’t I just get these off the Internet?

No, most of these articles you have to pay to read on the Internet. We have paid for you to have access to these databases through our website.

How do I “open” a database?

Access is free with a valid London Public Library card in good standing! Just click on the picture of the database you wish to explore, type in your library card number and click on “authenticate”. See the list of databases.

Can I print or email my results?
Absolutely! You can print, email and save your results when copyright allows.

Can anyone help me with these?
Some databases will have links in their descriptions on our database page to brief video tutorials for that specific database.
You may also watch this general "how to search a database" tutorial provided by Ebsco which gives an overview of the kinds of information and search options provided by databases.

You may also telephone us at 519-661-4600 or visit your local London Public Library and a staff member will be happy to assist you!