Library Research Tools

The following resources have been selected by MCPL librarians especially to help children in grades K-6 (and their teachers) with their research. Tools labeled with a

can be accessed from inside the library or at home with a library card number. Tools labeled with a

can only be accessed from inside the library. Tools labeled with a

can be accessed from anywhere without a library card. For additional resources, go to MCPL's Research Tools page.

Online Encyclopedias

Grolier Online
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia - General encyclopedia based on Academic American Encyclopedia
New Book of Knowledge - General encyclopedia geared to children in grades 3-8.
Lands and Peoples - Encyclopedia of countries and cultures geared to school-age children.
America the Beautiful - State-by-State history and current events geared to children in elementary and middle school.
World Book Online
This online version of the World Book Encyclopedia offers more than 25,000 encyclopedia articles plus many other features.
Magazine/Newspaper Articles
INSPIRE
A database of newspaper, magazine and journal articles, many of them full-text. Access the Kids Search (geared to children in grades K-6) and the Student Research Center (targeted to middle and high school students) through INSPIRE.
Special Reference Sources
Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
Provides extensive information about children's books, video and audio recordings, and other media. Records includes official cataloging data, subject terms, and annotations, plus information provided by various Reading Measurement Programs. In addition, CLCD contains full-text reviews of children's books. Search by genre, age-level recommendations and more.
MCPL Children's Services Homework Help (A good place to start!)
Web sites selected by MCPL Children's Librarians.
Other Library Catalogs
Indiana University Catalog
Search for items held by Indiana University Libraries.
netLibrary
Monroe County Public Library eBook collection.