Research Databases & Resources

Premier Reference and Marketing Database including 30 million business profiles & 220 million residents. Ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and much more!
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

AtoZMapsOnline.com is the world’s largest subscription-based database of proprietary, royalty-free world, continent, country, and state maps. Included in the 4,000+ maps are: political maps, physical maps, outline maps, population maps, precipitation maps, climate maps, and other thematic maps. New maps are added to the collection every month.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

A large-scale encyclopedia of US state and country information. State information isarranged into 103 editorial and image datasets for each state. This provides students with a one-stop reference for state reports, projects, and presentations as well as educators who develop lesson plans and curricula. This resource also supports non-English speakers by providing content available in 103 languages.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Explore food culture and traditional recipes from around the world. It’s a movable feast in a digital cookbook.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Contains 202 world city travel guides. These beautifully illustrated and up-to-date guides cover travel essentials, attractions, insiders’ information, excursions, nightlife, shopping, culture, cuisine, health, security, language, maps, and lots more.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Achieve your personal education and career goals. Includes test preparation for the GED® and U.S. citizenship tests. Skill building materials cover subjects like math, reading, writing, and public speaking

Perform genealogy research with census records, ships’ passenger logs and more.
Only accessible from within the library

This database contains do-it-yourself repair and maintenance information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles. New repair procedures, TSBs and updates are added to the product on a regular basis. All of the content has been created by ASE certified technicians.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

A comprehensive Spanish-language encyclopedia designed for native Spanish speakers, bilingual students, and ESL/ELL program participants.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Explore suburban area history through local news, events and people with the Beacon News Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.

Enjoy digital books, images, videos and more from libraries, artists, authors and others from your community and around the world.

Provides thousands of unique and reliable full-text biographies, including the complete full text of Biography and Biography Today. In addition to keyword search, users can locate biographies by subject occupation, activity, nationality, gender, birthplace and more.

Includes content on several popular and important figures in business, film, history, music, politics, sports, and more.

Brought to you by the Illinois Secretary of State and using Boundless, the West Chicago Public Library offers patrons thousands of free eBooks and Audiobooks.  All you need is a compatible device and a library card!

*This app will be defunct on 11/17. Checkouts cease on 11/2. Holds will be cancelled on 11/16. We are working hard to transition to a new platform soon*

Ready to take the stress out of the college application process? With Brainfuse’s CollegeNow, you’ll have access to LIVE online guidance counselors who are here to support you every step of the way! From financial aid to admissions strategies, expert counselors offer personalized assistance to help you achieve your higher education goals.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Enjoy free live online homework help, engaging games, practice tests, and endless learning opportunities—wherever you are! With just an internet connection and your library card, access live tutoring from any device!
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Ready to find your dream job? Visit JobNow, complete a quick questionnaire, and a  Job Matching Expert will search for relevant opportunities in your desired industry and location. Get a curated list of jobs that match your criteria, complete with essential details about the company, position, and application process.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Make your work goals a reality – start a new career or advance in your current field. Includes occupation exam practice tests for Air Traffic Controller, Civil Service, Commercial Driver’s License, Cosmetology, Electrical, Emergency Medical Services, Firefighting, Law Enforcement, Postal Worker, Nursing, Real Estate, Plumbing and more!

Fast Background Checks. Search Public Records, Find Contact Information, Criminal Arrest Records, Information on Properties, and More
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN.