• Service Alert All Wichita Public Library locations will be closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 31 & all day Wednesday, January 1 in observance of New Year's Day.
  • Service Alert The Alford branch will be closed January 2 and January 3.

Library Databases

Unless otherwise noted, resources are available at every Wichita Public Library location and through this website. For off-site access, most require login with a Wichita Public Library card or USD 259 student ID. Additional resources are offered by the State Library of Kansas.

Databases

American Ancestors logo

American Ancestors

Provides access to more than 400 million records spanning the U.S. and beyond, including one of the most extensive online collections of early American records, and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines. Emphasis on English, New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia materials.

Available inside the Advanced Learning Library only
Ancestry Library Edition logo

Ancestry Library Edition

With more than three billion names and four thousand searchable databases, Ancestry.com is the number one online source for family history information, including the web's largest collection of historical records. Your family story is waiting.

Available inside Wichita Public Library locations only
Auto Repair Source logo

Auto Repair Source

Powered by the automotive experts at MOTOR, Auto Repair Source provides accurate, authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. All content comes from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and includes step-by-step repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labor estimates, service bulletins and recalls and more.

Black Freedom Struggle in the United States image

Black Freedom Struggle in the United States

Primary source documents including historical newspaper articles, pamphlets, diaries, correspondence and more from specific time periods in U.S. history marked by the opposition African Americans have faced on the road to freedom.

Bloom's Literature logo

Bloom's Literature

Bloom's Literature includes thousands of critical essays and discussion questions, plus author biographies and character analyses, full-length poems, the full text of hundreds of reference books, full-length videos of classic plays and films, and more.

Scholastic BookFlix logo

BookFlix

Scholastic BookFlix pairs animated stories from Weston Woods with best-selling nonfiction Scholastic e-books for an interactive reading experience. BookFlix builds vocabulary, fluency, and early literacy skills in your beginning and developing readers while cultivating real-world language. For grades Pre-K through 3.

Britannica Library logo

Britannica Library

An online, professionally edited encyclopedia written with different age groups in mind:

Business Source Premier logo

Business Source Premier

Coverage of the leading scholarly business journals dating back as far as 1886. Full text for non-journal content, including financial data, books, industry & market reports, company profiles and more.

Chilton Library logo

ChiltonLibrary

Continually updated, this database offers detailed information you need to tackle preventative vehicle maintenance and repairs. Contains information on more than 18,000 vehicles from the 1940s to current year. Search by make, model, and year to find repair and maintenance information for your vehicle. You can also use the VIN search tool to discover any safety recalls for your vehicle.

Community Voice logo

The Community Voice

Founded in Wichita in 1994, The Community Voice "cover[s] news and fill[s] information gaps on issues of importance to our African American audience as a way to empower them to create positive change in their community." New editions are released every two weeks in print and as an online e-edition with stories publishing in between. Stories are freely available to read at communityvoiceks.com.

Consumer Reports Online logo

Consumer Reports Online

Consumer Reports is the world's largest nonprofit product-testing organization and has been helping subscribers find better, safer products for 80+ years. Consumer Reports accepts no outside advertising and no free test samples, and employs shoppers and experts to buy and test the products reviewed.

Coronavirus Research Database image

Coronavirus Research Database

Including coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak, this database curates openly available, authoritative content related to coronaviruses. It includes thousands of open-access articles from the world's leading publishers as well as current research from pre-print repositories such as arXiv.

CQ Researcher logo

CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher provides in-depth coverage of current issues. Its reports are written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked. Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research.

Available inside Wichita Public Library locations only
EBSCOhost logo

EBSCOhost

More than 50 research databases are available. Search one or many at once to find information about your topic.

EBSCOhost logo

EBSCOhost Education Resources

Formerly known as Explora Educator's Edition. Highlights content relevant to K-12 teachers. Includes information on state curriculum standards and provides easy access to lesson plans from ERIC and other resources.

Consumer Health Complete with Explora logo

Explora: Consumer Health Complete

This full-text database provides content covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. Topics covered include aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs & alcohol, fitness, nutrition & dietetics, children's health, and men & women's health.

Elementary Search with Explora logo

Explora: Elementary Search

A simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, videos, essays, and primary source documents to assist with homework for elementary students.

High School Search with Explora logo

Explora: High School Search

A simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, videos, essays, and primary source documents to assist with homework for high school students.

History Reference Source with Explora logo

Explora: History Reference Source

Formerly known as History Reference Center. Features full text for more than 1,990 reference books, encyclopedias, and nonfiction books. Content includes nearly 57,000 historical documents, more than 80,000 biographies of historical figures, nearly 46,000 historical photos and maps, and more than 80 hours of historical video.

Literary Reference Source with Explora logo

Explora: Literary Reference Source

Formerly known as Literary Reference Center. Content includes more than 35,000 plot summaries, synopses and work overviews; more than 86,000 articles and essays of literary criticism; more than 253,000 author biographies; more than 800,000 book reviews; and more than 91,000 poems.

Middle School Search with Explora logo

Explora: Middle School Search

A simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, videos, essays, and primary source documents to assist with homework for middle school students.

Small Business Source with Explora logo

Explora: Small Business Source

Formerly known as Small Business Reference Center. This database covers common business types, a help and advice section, and how-to's for creating business plans that lead to successful funding. Includes nearly 300 full-text periodicals and dozens of full-text reference books in addition to resources specific to each U.S. state.

Family Search logo

FamilySearch

The Edward & Elizabeth Burns Historical Research Pavilion at the Advanced Learning Library is a designated FamilySearch Center, which allows us to provide access to FamilySearch's restricted digital records. You will need to log in with a free personal FamilySearch account.

Available inside the Advanced Learning Library only
Ferguson's Career Guidance Center logo

Ferguson's Career Guidance Center

A comprehensive resource for career exploration and planning, whether it's industry and professions articles, school planning resources, or skills and career advice. The material draws from a range of authoritative sources, including Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance.

Fold3 Library Edition logo

Fold3 Library Edition

Provides convenient access to U.S. military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. Includes content from the Revolutionary War onward.

Foundation Directory Online logo

Foundation Directory Online

Updated weekly, a database of over 100,000 U.S foundations and corporate donors, over 2.4 million recent grants, and over half a million key decision makers. Search grantmakers, companies, grants, and 990s, plus RFPs, philanthropy news, nonprofit literature and jobs. An excellent tool for persons associated with a non-profit organization looking for grant funding, it includes a wealth of information for first time grantseekers and two categories of funders—direct corporate giving programs and grantmaking public charities. Many free online training courses and tutorials are also available. Part of the Nazar Foundation Collection.

Available inside the Advanced Learning Library only
Genealogy Connect logo

Genealogy Connect

Collection of nearly 600 genealogy research and reference publications in searchable PDF format.

Grants to Individuals logo

Grants to Individuals

Geared toward individuals, this database includes over 10,000 foundation profiles for scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards, and other financial support as sources of funding for individuals and small organizations seeking grant money. It is the only extensive online resource devoted exclusively to foundations that fund individuals. Part of the Nazar Foundation Collection.

Available inside the Advanced Learning Library only
Health Reference Center logo

Health Reference Center

Health Reference Center includes comprehensive, in-depth coverage of body systems, current health issues, major diseases and conditions, treatments, and procedures, as well as health and nutrition information specific to men, women, children, teens, and seniors. The up-to-date information comes from hundreds of authoritative sources, plus there are thousands of videos, illustrations, and journal articles.

HeritageQuest logo

HeritageQuest

A growing collection of research materials for genealogists and historians.

Hispanic Life in America logo

Hispanic Life in America

The experience and impact of Hispanic Americans as recorded by the news media, 1704 to today. From NewsBank.

Issues and Controversies logo

Issues and Controversies

Explore hundreds of hot topics in politics, government, business, society, education, and popular culture. Presented in a balanced, pro/con format, each article presents the key facts, arguments, history, and current context – an ideal resource for research papers, debate preparation, and persuasive writing assignments.

Kansas History, Territorial through Civil War Years, 1854-1865 logo

Kansas History, Territorial through Civil War Years, 1854-1865

Provides a core of primary source documents for the study of Kansas history, packaged with an engaging user interface that provides students and researchers multiple ways of accessing the content. With state and regional histories, travel guides, biographies, speeches and more, the collection provides a range of primary documents.

LearningExpress Library logo

LearningExpress Library

Features nearly 1,000 online tutorials, practice tests, and e-books to help patrons of all ages. It offers job search and workplace skills improvement, skill building in reading, writing, math, and basic science, career certification and licensure exam prep, college and grad school entrance test prep, GED® test prep, and more.

LinkedIn Learning logo

LinkedIn Learning

Formerly known as Lynda, LinkedIn Learning lets you learn at your own pace. With more than 16,000 online courses to choose from, you can develop your business, technology, or creative skills. New courses are added regularly.

The Mailbox Plus logo

The Mailbox Plus

A classroom and activity resource for teachers of pre-kindergarten through grade 6. Make learning fun while teaching core skills with more than 52,000 fun and engaging ideas, activities, and worksheets to help inspire imagination while teaching essential skills. All content is created by teachers for teachers and is editor-reviewed, and new content is added regularly.

Mango logo

Mango

Learn a language online at your own pace! Use on your computer or, once you set up an account with your library card, use Mango on the go with smartphone and tablet apps.

The New York Times logo

The New York Times

Understand the world. Navigate life. The original, quality journalism of The New York Times helps you make sense of this moment — and make everyday life better. Includes access to the New York Times Audio app for iOS. A free NYTimes.com account is required to log in to the New York Times website and apps.

The New York Times Games logo

The New York Times Games

Enjoy access to The New York Times Games, courtesy of the Wichita Public Library. Times Games have captivated solvers since the launch of the Crossword in 1942. Times Games experts create engaging word and visual games that stimulate and keep the mind sharp. All Games are available on the web and NYT App; Crossword and Spelling Bee are available in the Crossword App. A free NYTimes.com account is required.

NewsBank logo

NewsBank

Access world news with NewsBank. More than 10,000 sources from the United States and beyond include audio, magazines, and newspapers.

Newspapers.com Library Edition logo

Newspapers.com Library Edition

This database provides online access to nearly 20,000 historical newspapers, offering full-page images with searchable full text dating from the early 1700s into the early 2000s. It contains full runs and portions of runs of known, regional, and state titles to small local newspapers in the United States and other countries.

NoveList Plus logo

NoveList Plus

Just looking for a good book? Try NoveList Plus. This resource includes reviews of print fiction and nonfiction as well as audiobooks. Find recommendations for what to read next!

Nursing and Allied Health Premium logo

Nursing & Allied Health Premium

Provides reliable healthcare information that covers nursing, allied health, alternative and complementary medicine, and more. Includes more than 715 full-text publications with more than 12,000 full-text articles.

OCLC logo

OCLC FirstSearch

Catalog of books and other materials in libraries worldwide.

Available inside Wichita Public Library locations only
OUT in Wichita logo

OUT in Wichita

According to its mission statement, OUT in Wichita "empowers and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, education, and support, fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable Wichita for all." There are weekly newsletters, as well as a monthly edition released in print and online. Stories are freely available to read at out-in-wichita.ck.page.

Parent TV logo

ParentTV for Libraries

ParentTV offers thousands of on-demand vdeos and courses with content designed to support those who care for children, from infancy to teenage years. More than 40 experts provide research-based advice that is easy to understand via short, smart videos for busy teachers, parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

Access with Wichita Public Library card only
Read It! logo

Read It!

Read It! was created for anyone who has a good foundation in English grammar and reading skills. Articles are short and written to support your reading skills as you learn about topics in English that you need for school and everyday life. Find articles about a variety of topics, learn new vocabulary, listen to articles read aloud, sharpen your study skills, and more!

Reference Solutions logo

Reference Solutions

Formerly known as Reference USA, Data Axle Reference Solutions has data on both businesses and individuals, tailored to the needs of small business owners, marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and job seekers. Use it to create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, secure funding, and locate individuals. This platform offers detailed profiles of more than 50 million U.S. businesses, 150 million U.S. residents, 7+ million job postings, internships, historical business data, and healthcare listings.

Salem Press logo

Salem Press Online Collection

A collection of primarily full-text reference sources about a variety of topics in literature, history, and health. Also includes content on current events examined through a historical lens.

Some of the Salem Press resources are also available for viewing in the reference collection at the Advanced Learning Library. Reference books do not check out.

Today's Science logo

Today's Science

Bridges the gap between the science taught in class and real-world discoveries by leading scientists—giving comprehensive and in-depth explanations of some of the most important advances in biology, chemistry, environmental science, space, physics, and technology. Each article includes vivid images and groundbreaking videos that help make difficult concepts understandable.

US Newsstream logo

US Newsstream

Access news sources from 1980-current including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Wall Street Journal.

Value Line logo

Value Line

Value Line provides investment research on companies, industries, markets and economies. Its data include a vast array of financial measures for more than 6,000 stocks, 18,000 mutual funds, 200,000 options, and other securities.

NewsBank logo for Wichita Eagle image edition

Wichita Eagle (Image Edition)

Full-text Wichita Eagle articles are available through NewsBank. The image edition, which appears like printed newspaper pages, is available for articles from 2018 to present.

NewsBank logo for Wichita Eagle text edition

Wichita Eagle (Text Edition)

Full-text Wichita Eagle articles are available through NewsBank. The text edition is available for articles from October 1984 to present.

Wichita Journalism Collaborative logo

Wichita Journalism Collaborative

The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is a coalition of newsrooms and community partners focused on local and state topics. Their stories are freely available to read at wichitajournalism.com.

Wichita Public Library Digital Archives logo

Wichita Public Library Digital Archives

Curated by your local librarians, the Wichita Public Library Digital Archives website is the online home of some of our rarest materials as well as the Tell Your COVID Story project.

World Almanac for Kids logo

World Almanac for Kids

For intermediate-level students. Its resources for student reports and research include extensive, up-to-date articles; videos; interactive games; science projects; and Homework Help. Also includes Teacher Resources with lesson plans. Kids can explore age-appropriate subjects while developing online research skills with a trusted source.

World Almanac for Kids Elementary logo

World Almanac for Kids Elementary

Provides trustworthy, kid-friendly reference specifically for elementary grades. Includes illustrated articles, videos, interactives, Fun Facts, and more. The Teacher Support section includes printable handouts, class forms, graphic organizers, and more.

World News Digest logo

World News Digest

For more than 75 years, World News Digest has been a go-to resource for context and background on key issues of both historical events and breaking news. With more than 300,000 original articles and a vast archive covering every major event since its inception, this database offers concise summaries of current events and clearly written essays on the top issues of the day.

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