Databases for Beginning Researchers

A database is a collection of organized information that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated — kind of like an encyclopedia you can search using a computer. Stanislaus County Library subscribes to many databases that may help with homework and research projects. With your library card, you have free access to these databases 24/7. More information on how to use these databases is available here.


Biography Reference Center logo

A comprehensive collection of full-text and unique narrative biographies from many of the top-ranked biographical reference collections and magazines.

Blue background with the words Explora for Elementary Schools

Designed for elementary school students. Includes topic overviews on arts, music, literature, language, geography, history, world cultures, science, technology, and more.

Blue background with the words Explora for Middle Schools

Designed for middle school students. Includes information on thousands of subjects: art, music, literature, language, geography, history, world cultures, science, technology, and more.

Gale Virtual Reference Library logo

Provides information in eBook format on many topics from subject areas including biography, history, literature, science, and more. Sources include almanacs, encyclopedias,and more.

Grades 4-8 Educator Resources on a medium blue background. A drawing of an apple on a book is to the left on a dark blue background.

Provides eLearning support to students in elementary through middle school. Includes academic skill-building, standardized test prep, high school entrance exam prep, and more.

NoveList Plus K-8

Reading recommendations for both fiction and nonfiction for children in grades K-8. NoveList's expertise in books and reading means that you'll always get the best help for finding just the right books.


California K-12 Online Content Project from the California State Library

Top has Gale In Context with an orange background. The left side has a purple background with Environmental Studies in white and to the right of that is a river with green plants on both sides.

Explore topics and events within Earth systems, global change, pollution, populations, and more.

Top has Gale Interactive with an orange background. The left side has a purple background with Science in white and to the right of that is a red frog.

This is a virtual lab that gives students in middle and high school grades the power to see beyond static text and embrace learning outside of the classroom.

The top left has Gale Presents with an orange background. The rest of the image has a medium green background with National Geographic in white lettering and Kids in yellow lettering.

Explore amazing adventures in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space. Best for children aged 6–14.


California K-12 Digital Resources

Online content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, ProQuest research databases, and Book Connections are available — at school, at home, in libraries, on laptops, on phones — to all.

These three databases are provided for all California students from the California State Library.

Encyclopaedia Britannica (PreK-12)

A comprehensive interactive resource for research and learning for grades K-12. Includes correlations to California Content Standards and other valuable teacher resources. Post links directly to each school level, elementary, middle or high.




Escolar

Need help from Britannica? See our support page. (800) 621-3900 x 7160 | edsupport@eb.com

TeachingBooks

Personalize and enjoy digital connections to books for kids and teens.

   

         

   

Need help from TeachingBooks? See our support page. 510-239-7391 | accounts@teachingbooks.net

ProQuest (Grades 3-12)

CultureGrams SIRS Discoverer SIRS Issues Researcher elibrary Guided Research Edition
elibrary Database Edition ProQuest Performing Arts Audio and Video collections ProQuest Research Companion Schools and Educators Complete

  • CultureGrams - Concise social, cultural, and political information on countries, U.S. states, and provinces around the world. (Grades 3-12)
  • SIRS Discoverer - A general reference database providing safe, reliable, curriculum-aligned content and features for use by students and educators. (Grades 3-9)
  • SIRS Issues Researcher - Pros and cons on 360+ (and growing) complex social issues with relevant, credible information that tells the whole story on the major questions of the day. (Grades 6+)
  • eLibrary - Guided Research edition delivers one of the largest general reference collections of periodical and digital media content including more than 11,000 Research Topics (Grades 6+)
  • eLibrary - Database Edition General reference aggregation of periodical and digital media content with editorial guidance for novice researchers. (Grades 6+)
  • ProQuest Research Companion - a self-guided product that supports information literacy, writing, and research skills instruction.(Grades 8+)
  • Schools & Educators Complete - eBook subscription database of over 13,000 titles that supports English Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies, Health, Physical Education, Information Literacy and Technology. (Grades 9+, possibly some content for Middle School, also includes professional development content for faculty)

Need help from ProQuest? See our support page. 800-521-0600 | customerservice@proquest.com