Online Resources

Know what you are looking for? Use the search bar to find resources by name or descriptions, scan the listings in alphabetical order, or use filters to explore different subjects, formats, age groups and more.


ABC Mouse

A subscription-based digital educational program that helps kids learn to read through phonics, and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music, and much more. 

Only in library branches

Academic Search Premier

Includes full text of many articles, plus index entries for others. Subject areas covered include arts & literature, humanities, science, social science and many other specialties. Updated daily.

Library card required

Ancestry.com

A searchable collection of billions of historical records from the USA and other countries. Get access to census and military records, birth, marriage and death records, and immigration records. Available at public computers at all Brooklyn Public Library locations.

For remote access to U.S. Federal Census records, genealogical and historical sources for more than 60 countries, Census data, slave schedules, maps, local history books and articles, and more, please visit our HeritageQuest resource.

Only in library branches

Black Thought and Culture

Collects published works by leading African American writers, spanning the 1700s to the present. Includes books, interviews, journal articles, speeches, essays, pamplets and letters.

Library card required

Black Women Writers

Collects fiction, poetry and essays by black women published in Africa and the Americas from the 1700s to the present.

Library card required

BookFlix

Encourages reading by pairing streaming video storybooks with related fiction and non-fiction titles for children.

Library card required

Brainfuse HelpNow

Brainfuse HelpNow offers personalized academic assistance in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science), a 24/7 Writing Lab, academic content and practice tests for skills-building (including SAT preparation), and much more. Live tutoring from Brainfuse experts is available from 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM EST.

Library card required

Brainfuse JobNow

Brainfuse JobNow is designed to support every step of the job search process:

  • Find live online coaches who assist with job search, resumes, interviews and more from 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM EST every day
  • Check out eParachute to discover careers that match your skills and interests
  • Check out SkillsFirst to find sample resumes in your profession
  • Check out SkillSurfer for study materials
  •  

 

 

Library card required

BrainPop

Watch animated movies, play learning games, and more. Includes BrainPOP Jr. (K-3), BrainPOP, BrainPOP Español, and, for English language learners, BrainPOP ESL. Videos and activities cover topic areas within Science, Math, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and more.

Library card required

Brooklyn Newsstand

Brooklyn Newsstand is a collection of digitized Brooklyn newspapers made possible through a partnership between Brooklyn Public Library and Newspapers.com.  

Brooklyn Newsstand (2,402,000 digitized pages) contains 44 newspaper titles-including the full run of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper (1841-1963) and Brooklyn Life (1890-1931), a Brooklyn Society Magazine. Learn more about the history of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

View the full list of newspapers and their date ranges.

This site is best viewed using Chrome or Safari. 

Free & accessible anywhere

Brooklyn Public Library Digital Collections

Discover Brooklyn history: Explore our collection of digitized Brooklyn content.

Free & accessible anywhere

Chinese Electronic Journal Database (Qikan)

A full-text resource of over 500 Chinese popular and scholarly periodicals published in China. Search this Chinese database to find periodical articles for adults, young adults and children.

Library card required

Creativebug

Creativebug is a video-learning site for art and craft classes. New classes from top artists are released every day, with instructors bringing a lifetime of practice and proven teaching methods. Public Performance Rights are included for programming.

Interested in becoming a Creativebug Instructor? Brooklyn Public Library is partnering with the Creativebug editorial team to recruit Brooklyn-based creators and artists, particularly those who can help increase the diversity and representation of Creativebug's course catalog. Apply here: https://cbug.tv/BecomeAnInstructor

Library card required

Directory of Open Access Journals

Free community-curated directory that indexes and connects to full text, open access, peer reviewed scientific and scholarly journals.

Free & accessible anywhere

Ebscohost Espanol

Artículos con texto completo de revistas, diarios y revistas académicas, índices generales, y otros recursos en ambos Español e Inglés. EBSCOhost Español tiene una función de traducción, pero no es garantizado obtener una traducción completamente exacta.

Library card required

EPOCH - Electronically Preserving Obituaries as Cultural Heritage

A website that allows anyone to create and publish a free obituary online and in the process involve the community in building their own collection of local history.

Free & accessible anywhere

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collection of education research and information. Sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education.

Free & accessible anywhere

Flipster

Get access to major magazines and journals to read on your smartphone, tablet, or PC. Check out Flipster's getting started guide here. To get the free Flipster app, search for "Flipster" in either Google Play or  Apple's App Store

Library card required

Gale eBooks

24/7 access to reference ebooks. No checkout necessary. Titles can be browsed, searched, and downloaded anytime from any Internet-connected device. Topics include arts, business, education, history, law, literature, medicine, religion, science, and social science.

Library card required

Gale General OneFile

A searchable collection of general interest and scholarly publications on topics including Careers, Computers & Technology, Education, Health, History, Personal Finance, and Self-Help. Content includes reference books, newspapers, magazines, journals, and audio & video files.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale In Context: Elementary

Gale In Context: Elementary (formerly Kids InfoBits), introduces elementary school students to database searching with easy-to-use resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale In Context: High School

Gale in Context High School (Formerly Student Resources) contains information on a variety of topics in an easy to read format. Includes primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, magazine articles, audio and video clips, and thousands of photographs and illustrations. Includes topics in science, health, history, literature, current events, sports, world cultures, and business/economics. Easy to search and topics are comprehensive in content.

Library card required

Gale In Context: Middle School

Gale In Context: Middle School is a Gale database created specifically for middle school students, combining reference content with age-appropriate videos.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints

Gale in Context Opposing Viewpoints covers today’s social issues, from Offshore Drilling to Climate Change. Helps students research, analyze and organize a broad variety of data for conducting research, completing writing assignments, preparing for debates, creating presentations and more.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Communications and Mass Media

Customized selection of journals relating to communications and mass media. From the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Computer Science

Customized selection of journals of leading business and technical publications spanning the computer industry. From the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Criminal Justice

Customized selection of journals relating to criminal justice. From the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Diversity Studies

Customized selection of journals relating to Diversity Studies. From the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Gender Studies

Journals from the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection related to gender and sexuality in culture and society. Research information on women's studies, gender identity and more.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Information Science

Journals from the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection relating to information and library science. Formerly called Information Science & Library Issues Collection.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Nursing and Allied Health

Customized selection of journals from the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection relating to nursing and health care professions.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Psychology

Customized selection of journals from the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection relating to psychology. Articles from 1980 to the present.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Gale OneFile: Science

Journals from the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection relating to general science. Coverage spans 1980 to the present and includes general interest periodicals as well as academic journals. Learn about scientific developments, global warming, alternative energy and more.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

GCFLearnFree.org

Video tutorials and self-paced courses to learn computer basics and build skills, including in Microsoft Office, the Internet, Email, and Google Workspace

Free & accessible anywhere

globalEDGE

A knowledge web-portal that connects international business professionals to information, insights, and resources on global business activities, created by the International Business Center at Michigan State University.

 

Free & accessible anywhere

GreenFile

Resource draws on the connections between the environment and a variety of disciplines such as agriculture, education, law, health and technology. Topics covered include global climate change, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling and more.

Library card required

HeritageQuest

Genealogical tool that includes U.S. Federal Census records, genealogical and historical sources for more than 60 countries, Census data, slave schedules, maps, local history books and articles, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant application files, and the Freedman's Bank Records 1865-1874.

Library card required

Instructables

Get step-by-step, user created instructions on how to make just about anything. Examples include instructions on building a digital microscope or sewing a zipper.

Free & accessible anywhere

JSTOR

JSTOR offers researchers the ability to retrieve high-resolution, scanned images of journals, books, and primary sources as they were originally designed, printed, and illustrated. The material available spans many disciplines in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

When browsing or searching, you may find locked content. We apologize that some content is not available via Brooklyn Public Library's subscription. 

Only in library branches

Latino American Experience

Scholarly articles and primary source documents covering Latino American history and culture from the 1400s to the present.

Library card required

LearningExpress Library 3.0

This resource supports those looking to improve core academic skills, pass standardized tests, prepare for college, join the military, obtain occupational certification, find a job, change careers, become a U.S. citizen and much more. Includes practice tests and other study materials for the GED/HSE/TASC, HiSET, TASC, SAT, elementary school and middle school standardized tests, civil service, technical, and other professional exams.

Hay recursos para hispanohablantes, incluyendo herramientas de aprendizaje, carrera y ciudadanía en español.

Please note that you will need to create a username and password.

To learn more about using this resource, check out this video tutorial.

Library card required

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

LinkedIn Learning offers more than 16,000 online courses in seven languages, hosted by expert instructors with real-world experience. Courses on LinkedIn Learning include Leadership, Project Management, Mental Wellness, Job Hunting, Digital Marketing, Data Science, 3D Animation, and CAD.

For Mobile users: 
1. Download the LinkedIn Learning app from Google Play / App Store 
2. Open the app 
3. Select - "Sign In" 
4. Select "Sign in with your library card" 
5. You'll be prompted to "Enter your Library ID". Tap on the box and enter "bklynlibrary" (all lowercase, no quotation marks) 
6. Use your BPL library card number or username and PIN and click on "Continue". 
First time users will be prompted to select topics of interest.

Library card required

Mango Languages

Learn a new language or brush up current skills.  Contains 52 language learning courses including Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese as well as 17 English courses for speakers new to English.  There is a mobile app to use to learn on the go and there are feature films to complement select courses.

Library card required

MasterFILE Premier

Full text articles covering a broad range of subjects including general reference, business, education, health, general science and multicultural issues.

Library card required

Metrix Learning

Metrix Learning is an online learning management system that helps jobseekers upgrade their skills and study for certification exams to help secure employment.

Course content covers academic, workplace and personal skills for industries like Business, Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Human Services and more. Search for courses, add them to your "Plan", and click "Launch" when ready to take a course. Select "Career" and "Pathways" to rate your skills and readiness for a particular career. Metrix will help you identify skills gaps and courses needed to fill those gaps.

Access

To access Metrix Learning, click "Visit This Resource" below, "Request a Login", and "Sign up Now". You must live in New York State to access Metrix through Brooklyn Public Library. You will receive a Welcome email from Metrix Learning containing your username and password. Access will last for six months. If you wish to continue learning after six months, please email   [email protected] to request an extension.

10.2022 The Medcom license for medical classes is no longer available. We're sorry for the inconvenience.

Library card required

Middle Search Plus

Middle Search Plus is a full-text database providing popular middle school magazines, reference e-books, and thousands of primary source documents and videos. Subjects include history, current events, science and sports.

Library card required

Mometrix eLibrary

Unlimited access to test preparation materials for over 1,000 different standardized exams. Access study guides and practice questions for exams including the GED, SAT, ACT, TEAS, HESI, Praxis, TOEFL, career and technical certification.

Library card required

New York Apartment Law Insider

Provides information for owners and managers of residential real estate, covering topics like rent stabilization, rent control, building maintenance requirements, and correction of code violations. (This resource is accessible via username and password at the Central Library.  See a librarian.)

Only at Central Library

New York City Department of Education's Find A School Database

Locate information on New York City's public schools. Search by borough, grade, school name, and zip code.

Free & accessible anywhere

New York Landlord v Tenant Online

Provides landlord-tenant court decisions as far back as 1993, including cases from the NYC Civil Court, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), and NYC Environmental Control Board.  (This resource is accessible via username and password at the Central Library.  See a librarian.)

Only at Central Library

New York State Legislature

Legislative information related to both houses of the New York State Legislature. Look up bill text, summaries, committee agendas, and voting records from 1995 to the present.

Free & accessible anywhere

New York Times (1851-2007) with Index (1851-1993)

PDFs of articles include original layout, images, and advertisements. Limit searches by topic, article title, date, and more.   

Library card required

New York Times Digital Microfilm

Browse 2008 - present issues of the New York Times by date and page number or search for articles by keyword. Includes high-quality replications of photos, graphs, and tables. (Please note that present coverage will be one month behind due to a publisher embargo period.)

Library card required

NovelNY (resources for students)

Encyclopedias and research tools for elementary and middle school students: the Scholastic Go! encyclopedia, eLibrary Elementary for books and magazines, Kids Infobits for children's magazines, and Opposing Viewpoints in Context. High school and college students can access General OneFile, Academic OneFile, and Opposing Viewpoints for research. From the New York State Online Virtual Library database collection.

Free & accessible anywhere in NY state

Oxford Research Encyclopedias

Oxford Research Encyclopedias are a collection of essays on a variety of topics, designed to give readers an overview of a subject that they can understand in half an hour of reading or less.

Remote users: Type your Brooklyn Public Library card number in the box "Sign in with your library card", click Sign In, and then select Brooklyn Public Library.

Library card required

Oxford Very Short Introductions

The full text of the entire catalog of Oxford University Press's Very Short Introductions series. The books in this platform offer concise overviews to a range of academic subjects in the arts & humanities, law, medicine & health, science & mathematics, and social sciences. 

Remote users: Type your Brooklyn Public Library card number in the box "Sign in with your library card", click Sign In, and then select Brooklyn Public Library.

Library card required

Population Reference Bureau Data Center

A data searching tool from the nonprofit Population Reference Bureau, including information on income, housing prices, health, and labor force.

Free & accessible anywhere

PowerMyLearning

Online learning activities curated by educators and organized by subject, grade and Common Core standard. Educators can create playlists of activities tailored to their lessons and invite students to a "class" with a code and track their students' progress. Students can create an avatar and "level up" the more they play. Parents can also log in and connect with their children to set goals and rewards for them. Create a free login to get started.

Free & accessible anywhere

Professional Development Collection

Articles and abstracts from academic journals for professional educators.

Library card required

Project Muse

Humanities and social science content for the scholarly community. Complete, full-text versions of scholarly journals and books from many of the world's leading university presses and scholarly societies. 

You may encounter locked content. When browsing or searching "All Muse", select "Only Content I have access to" to find subscription content. We apologize that some content is not available via Brooklyn Public Library's subscription.

Library card required

ScienceFlix

Covers major science areas like Earth Science, Space, Life Science, Human Body, Physics, and Engineering, with general overviews and articles for deeper understanding. Includes videos, project ideas, experiments, quizzes, and information about careers in science. Complements the Next Generation Science Standards.  Can adjust Lexile reading levels of articles.

To learn more about this resource, check out this video tutorial.

Library card required

SimplyAnalytics

Demographic, business, and marketing data on a local level; users may create reports and maps with hundreds of demographic, business and marketing variables. 

Remote access to SimplyAnalytics is available to anyone within Kings County (Brooklyn) with a Brooklyn Public Library card. Exceptions to remote access content are below:

  • PRIZM Premier behavioral marketing & audience segments and Nielsen Scarborough local market research are only available to users on-site at any Brooklyn Public Library location. PRIZM and Scarborough data is not available to remote users.
  • On-site users will sign in to SimplyAnalytics with their BPL card number and PIN. Remote users will sign in to SimplyAnalytics with an email address and password. First-time remote users must follow the "Create an Account" link. You may have on-site and remote SimplyAnalytics accounts but these accounts are NOT connected. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Library card required

SIRS Discoverer

Areas covered include: current events, history, health, language arts, math, science, social studies, and technology. Includes newspaper and magazine articles, material from DK Eyewitness books, and science experiment ideas. Search for something specific or explore a variety of topics and current events.
 

Library card required

Statista

Quantitative data categorized into 21 market sectors such as media, business, finance, and politics. To learn more about using this resource, check out this video tutorial

Library card required

TrueFlix

Read and listen to e-books and watch videos online based on titles from the Trueflix nonfiction book series.  Also look up project ideas, extra information, and lesson plans for teachers and others.

Library card required

Tumblebooks

Search from a selection of read-a-long and animated talking picture books, eBooks, graphic novels, non-fiction, and educational videos, puzzles, and games.  Titles include accelerated reading, Lexile, and grade reading levels.  Create your own playlists of favorite titles.

Library card required

Where to Write for Vital Records

Find information on vital records like birth records, death records and marriage records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Offers direct links to state and other agencies that assist in locating information on vital records.
 

Free & accessible anywhere