Research Databases & Resources

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. 

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. 

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. 

is designed for the everyday consumer of health care information. CHC provides convenient access to easily understandable health and medical information. Consumers can search and browse within medical encyclopedias, popular reference books, and magazine articles.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Consumer Reports enables consumers to make better purchasing decisions on the products they are shopping for. Whether a user is looking to find the best deal on an LCD TV, or researching the top-recommended used vehicles, ConsumerReports.org provides ratings and reviews, recommendations and buying advice for thousands of products and services.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

1. Discover what life was like for everyday people in different cultures.
   *Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

A powerful search and discovery engine. Ideal for research assignments or general curiosity.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Explore More Illinois is a free service provided by your library that provides instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theatres, and other fun and local cultural venues.

his database offers detailed “how-to” instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast. Full text is provided from leading hobby and craft magazines.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Build Academic & Workplace Skills with Easy-to-Use Online Resources. Improve your basic skills with Math, reading, and writing tutorials. Learn about in-demand careers. Prepare for occupational exams as well as the ACT®, SAT®, AP®, GED®, HiSET®, and TASC tests. Tutorials, practice tests, eBooks and more.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

Legal Information Reference Center is an online database designed to assist the general public in legal matters of all kinds. It includes exclusive full text for many top consumer legal reference books, as well as thousands of legal forms.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

A leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN.

MasterFile provides full text for thousands of general reference magazines, reference books, and primary source documents. This database also provides an Image Collection containing photos, maps & flags, and covers a wide-range of subject areas including business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues and much more.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

Illinois Public Records provided by Record Information Services, Scroll through Chicagoland’s public records. Real estate transactions, mortgages, foreclosures, and more. Keep an eye on housing values in your community and help safeguard your biggest investment – your home. Sort by name, city, zip code, and more. Record Information Services is a 18 year old data compiler of public records serving the Chicagoland area.
*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. Please Hit the Log In button in the upper right corner to view the database

Empower learners to explore a new language at the library, at home, or on the go using any Internet-connected device. Available in 110+ languages, including ESL, learners have the flexibility they need to learn a new language anytime, anywhere.

en español

*Access anywhere with your valid library card and PIN. 

The WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA reference on the Web.
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WorldCat Discovery is a cloud-based tool that helps patrons easily find resources available at the West Chicago Public Library and in libraries worldwide through a single search.