Quick Search

Individual Databases

Unless otherwise noted, these resources are available at all Chicago Public Library locations and from home, school, or work with a Chicago Public Library card.

Amazing Animals » kid friendly
From the African bat-eared fox to the zebrafish, find concise descriptions of over 1,000 animal species, including what they eat, where they live, and more. Recommended for elementary school students or anyone needing clear photographs and quick facts about common or exotic species.
Temporarily available only at Chicago Public Library locations.

Auto Repair Manuals (ChiltonLibrary.com) »
Find service bulletins, recalls, maintenance information, and repair instructions for cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Based on the popular Chilton auto repair manuals.

IHS Specs & Standards »
Search and view standards from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Underwriters Laboratories.
Available at the Harold Washington Library Center.

*New Book of Popular Science » teen pick
Find detailed introductions to topics in science in this science encyclopedia for students in grades six and up. Additional features of this site include news articles, projects, biographies, games, weekly constellation maps, and more.
Temporarily available only at Chicago Public Library locations.

Photofact Online »
Photofact Online offers repair schematics and original manufacturers' manuals for a wide range of consumer electronics. While the focus of the product is on televisions, including LCD and plasma televisions, it also includes information on older radios, stereos, car audio systems, and VCRs.
Temporarily available only at Chicago Public Library locations.

*ProQuest Magazines & Journals »
ProQuest Magazines and Journals (ProQuest Research Library) helps one find magazine and journal articles on a wide range of topics. It covers over 2,600 magazines and journals; the complete text of the articles is available for about 60 percent of these. Included are popular magazines, magazines for professionals of all types, and scholarly journals. The database includes both magazines written for children and those for adults. Title include Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Science News, Technology Review, and many others.

*ProQuest Newspapers »
Find articles from over 35 newspapers, including both local and national titles. Papers covered include the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and Washington Post.

Science and Technology Reference Collection »
Search a variety of encyclopedias and other reference works written for both students and adults. In addition to general scientific encyclopedias, the collection includes specialized works on animal life, chemistry, forensic science, the environment, manufacturing, mathematics, scientific ethics, and sports science.

*Science Online » teen pick
Use this database to find supplemental information for the study of science. Find encyclopedia articles and definitions, charts and illustrations, experiments, biographies, and timelines.

World Book » kid friendly teen pick
From Aardvark to Zinc, find great introductory articles to a wide range of topics in science and technology in this general encyclopedia.

* - indicates that the database is included in the Quick Search above.