Online Databases - Research Services - Plainfield Public Library

Databases - General Research

The Plainfield Public Library subscribes to several online databases that are available to the public. If you have any questions regarding the databases or access, please contact the Reference Desk.

"In Library Use" databases are accessible for the public on the library’s own computers.

"Remote Access" databases can be accessed from home using a Plainfield Public Library card.

Database Name	Description	In Library Use	Remote Access
	Academic Search Premier contains indexing for 8,025 publications, with full text for more than 4,500 of those titles. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	New England Historic Genealogical Society offers access to more than 110 million names in a variety of databases, making family research easy and efficient. Some databases included are Abstracts of NY Wills, New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Massachusetts Vital Record, 1841-1915. Online genealogical periodicals included in the subscription are The American Genealogists, The Connecticut Nutmegger, New England Ancestors Magazine, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The New Netherland Connections and The Virginia Genealogist. Databases and resources are updated and expanded weekly.
	Ancestry.com is the #1 online source for family history information, including the web's largest collection of historical records. This resource has approximately 4,000 databases including key collections such as U.S. Federal Census images and indexes from 1790 to 1930, and the Map Center containing more than 1,000 historical maps.
	The Auto Repair Reference Center provides information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles, with repair information for most vintage makes starting as far back as 1954. Content includes: Approximately 25,000 vehicles covered from 1954 to present More than 65,000 technical service bulletins & recalls issued by the original equipment vehicle manufacturer Wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing Labor Time Guide & Estimator Specifications & maintenance schedules Quick Tips, a complete guide to vehicle ownership & maintenance Over 100,000 factory drawings and step-by-step photographs
	Biography Collection Complete offers a comprehensive collection of full-text biographies supporting history, science, the arts, music, literature, multicultural studies, gender studies, business, government & politics, sports, entertainment and many other areas. This database features more than 177,000 full-text biographies from many different sources. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Biography in Context delivers outstanding research support with nearly a million biographical entries spanning history and geography. In it you’ll find: 600,000+ biographies covering more than 525,000 individuals 170+ award-winning Gale reference titles 50,000 new or updated bios added annually in addition to daily updates to account for awards and events Integrated reference material, periodical information and multimedia content Hundreds of hand-crafted topic pages covering the highest-interest features
	This is the world’s definitive scholarly business database, providing indexing and abstracts for more than twice as many active, peer-reviewed, business related journals as any other database. Business Source® Premier offers indexing and abstracts for the 350 most important scholarly journals back to 1965 or the first published issue. This database includes searchable cited references for 1,205 journals. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	*Career Transitions* provides hands-on guidance and immediate access to key job search activities. Job-Seeking: multi-faceted job searching and related activities for creating resumes and cover letters, applying and preparing for interviews Career Exploration: discovering career interests; identifying new opportunities based on work or military experience; exploring growing career paths, including green and new economy jobs; and finding education and training
	Contemporary Authors helps researchers discover biographical details on approximately 116,000 modern novelists, poets, playwrights, nonfiction writers, journalists and scriptwriters. The most-studied literary figures of the early 20th century, and authors from around the world are featured in this award-winning reference resource. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	ProQuest Newspapers provides access to full-text articles from the Courier News from 1999 to date.
	EBSCOhost provides access to a variety of news services including: numerous newspaper and business sources, ERIC - the Education Resource Information Center, Searchasaurus, Student Research Center, Kids Search, Points of View Reference Center, Health Source - Consumer Edition and its Spanish counterpart - Salud en Espanol, literary and science reference centers, Novelist K-8 and Plus, and more.
	Free downloadable eBooks and Audiobooks with your Library Card and PIN code! (You will need to choos "Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium" as your library - you will not see Plainfield in the list of options)
	ERIC, the Educational Resource Information Center, is a national information system supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Library of Education, and the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. It provides access to information from journals included in the Current Index of Journals in Education and Resources in Education Index. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Fold3 (formerly Footnote) offers an online repository for the world's original source documents. It's a great resource for genealogists, family and military historians, researchers, and history buffs. Footnote History and Genealogy Archives PLUS includes access to: Footnote™ History and Genealogy Archives, African American Archives, American Revolution Archives, Native American Archives, U.S. Bureau of Investigation Case File Archives, and World War II Archives.
	This database provides comprehensive industry and market research articles to encourage growth and empowerment. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses, and the investment community from more than 31 offices on six continents. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	GreenFILE offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on the environmental effects of individuals, corporations and local/national governments, and what can be done at each level to minimize these effects. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	This database is the richest collection of consumer health information available to libraries worldwide. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition provides more than 550 scholarly full text journals, including more than 450 peer-reviewed journals focusing on many medical disciplines. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	History Reference Center is the world's most comprehensive full text history reference database designed for secondary schools, public libraries, junior/community colleges, and undergraduate research. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Home Improvement Reference Center is a resource that provides detailed, user-friendly “how-to” information about home improvements and repairs. HIRC includes magazine articles and reference content as well as videos and images designed to help homeowners tackle home repairs safely. The database provides the latest step-by-step information along with background information and basic tips on topics including electrical, plumbing, woodworking, outdoor projects, maintenance and decorating. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Una colección de revistas hispánicas con textos completos. Abarca negocios, salud, tecnología, cultura, temas de actualidad y otras materias. Created exclusively for Spanish-speaking users, this full-text electronic reference tool is the first system to provide indexing, images and full text of popular Hispanic magazines -- not just translations. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	JerseyClicks is New Jersey's statewide portal that features federated searching of the statewide full-text databases offered by the New Jersey State Library. This resource offers keyword and custom searching of databases through a federated search. These high quality databases cover subjects such as health, history, business, education, science, current events, literature, and popular fiction. The suite also includes Informe, a Spanish language full-text database.
	LearningExpress Job & Career Accelerator™ provides personalized, step-by-step job search assistance-from exploring and matching suitable occupations from over 1,000 detailed occupation profiles to finding available jobs from a database of over 5 million up-to-date job postings. With Job & Career Accelerator, you can easily create professional and effective resumes and cover letters, master interviewing and networking techniques, improve your work skills, and prepare for occupation-related exams. It also helps you plan, tailor, and track your progress for multiple job searches while providing expert advice and tips at every step of the way.
	LearningExpress Library is an interactive online learning platform featuring over 770 practice tests, tutorials, and eBooks related to job search and workplace skills improvement, career certification and licensing exam preparation, college entrance and graduate school admissions exam preparation, GED exam preparation, and basic skills improvement in reading, writing, and math, for all ages. You'll get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of your results. User registration required for on-site or remote access.
	Legal Information Reference Center™ contains more than 310 full-text publications and thousands of legal forms. This database offers the everyday user the necessary tools and detailed “how-to” instructions to independently address a wide-range of legal issues including business law, financial planning, family law, property & real estate and rights & disputes. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	LISTA indexes more than 560 core journals, nearly 50 priority journals, and nearly 125 selective journals; plus books, research reports and proceedings. Subject coverage includes librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Literary Reference Center is a comprehensive database that provides users with a broad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and timeframes. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	MasterFILE Premier, designed specifically for public libraries, provides full text for more than 1,950 general periodicals covering a broad range of disciplines including general reference, business, education, health, general science, multi-cultural issues and much more. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	MAS Ultra School Edition is a comprehensive full text general reference database designed for high school and junior college libraries. This database includes: searchable full text of articles, reports and special issues from nearly 200 of the most wanted K-12 magazines. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Middle Search Plus contains full text for more than 150 popular, middle school magazines. In addition to the full text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for nearly 200 magazines. All full text articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). Full text is also available for thousands of biographies, historical essays and student pamphlets. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Newspaper Source Plus includes more than 700 full-text newspapers, and provides more than 31 million full-text articles. In addition, the database includes nearly 700,000 television and radio transcripts. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Focuses on nonfiction reading materials that support the school curriculum, as well as the recreational reading interests of children and students from preschool through middle school. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	NoveList Plus – a readers' advisory resource for nonfiction, will be an upgrade to our enormously popular fiction NoveList product. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	OneSource, delivers business information and sales intelligence on millions of companies and executives worldwide – delivering targeted sales leads, actionable company reports, and company research.
	Points of View Reference Center is a full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. The database provides 200 topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument) and counterpoint (opposing argument). (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Primary Search, designed specifically for elementary school libraries and public library children's rooms, contains full text for more than 60 popular, elementary school magazines. All full text articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	This is the most comprehensive and most valuable collection of full text education journals in the world. The Professional Development Collection includes full text for nearly 520 high quality education and more than 200 educational reports. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	ProQuest Newspapers provides access to full-text articles from the Courier News from 1999 to date.
	ReferenceUSA is the leading provider in business and consumer research! The database provides real-time access to more than 20 Million Business, 222 Million Consumers, U.S. New Businesses, U.S. New Homeowners and Movers. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	This database provides comprehensive full text coverage for regional business publications. Regional Business News incorporates coverage of 75 business journals, newspapers and newswires from all metropolitan and rural areas within the United States. This database is updated on a daily basis. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Learn a Language with Rocket Languages on Your Own Terms and in Your Own Time!
	Online access to the volume "Great Events from History: GLBT Events" from Salem Press.
	Online access to the newly revised "Masterplots" series from Salem Press.
	Salud en Español provides comprehensive evidence-based reports and fact sheets in Spanish on all aspects of consumer health and wellness. Topic specific reports covering all aspects of health offer valuable overviews on diseases, conditions, procedures and various treatments. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Science Reference Center is a comprehensive research database that provides easy access to a multitude of full text science-oriented content. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	This database offers users complete small business management resources via a combination of unparalleled periodicals and reference content. From conducting industry research to financial planning, to marketing a product and franchising a business, the Small Business Resource Center provides users with all the information they need to succeed. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	TRC provides indexing and abstracts for 280 periodicals. In addition, 96% of journals indexed in TRC are peer-reviewed. Topics include: Assessment, Best Practices, Continuing Education, Current Pedagogical Research, Curriculum Development, Elementary Education, Higher Education, Instructional Media, Language Arts, Literacy Standards, School Administration, Science & Mathematics, and Teacher Education.
	Articles and curriculum-related materials selected especially for grades 9-12. (part of the JerseyClicks collection)
	Provides access to the World Book Online for Kids, World Book Online Info Finder, the World Book Online Reference Center and the Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos.

Databases - Local History

Name and Description	In Library Use	Remote Access
Photograph Collection The Plainfield Public Library's historic photograph collections include over 20,000 individual photographic prints, negatives, slides and glass plates by over a dozen local photographers from the 1870's to the present. Complete Information on Photograph Collections
Plainfield Postcard Collection The Plainfield Postcard Collection contains 2,000 postcards with 1,000 unique images. The Chase collection and the Ricketts collection make up the core of the library's holdings, depicting Plainfield in the early 1900s.
Detwiller Blueprint Collection This unique collection of 15,000 architectural drawings and blueprints documents the rich history of Plainfield's architectural development. It includes residences, houses of worship, businesses, and multifamily dwellings from 1887 to the present. The drawings have been microfilmed and digitized for preservation and Internet access.
Plainfield City Directories The Local History department holds city directories from the 1870s through 1982, when current phone books came into existence. The city directories are available in print, on microfilm and in an online searchable PDF format. Because of copyright issues, city directories are only available online in the library; please contact the Reference department or Local History department to make an appointment for assistance using the online city directories.
Historical Plainfield Newspapers The Local History department holds 23 newspapers and magazines dating back to 1837. This collection includes microfilmed copies and broadsides, as well as digitized titles. The Courier News, available on microfilm, is located in the upstairs reference section. The earliest newspapers are available on microfilm and in an online searchable PDF format. Because of copyright issues, the digitized versions are only available online in the library; please contact the Reference department or Local History department to make an appointment for assistance using the online newspapers.