Free with your Library Card!
Explore a wide range of library-subscribed databases and online resources, available to you for free with your library card. From research tools to educational resources, these high-quality databases are provided by the library to support your learning, exploration, and growth.
Access resources anytime, anywhere, as part of your library membership
**Ancestry Library Edition (In-Library use only) — provides genealogical and historical research capabilities. With more than 5 billion names in over 4,600 databases, includes census, military, court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; and passenger lists.
**Auto Repair Source – Features content from the original equipment manufacturers including step-by-step repair procedures with supporting images, maintenance schedules, estimated labor times, technical service bulletins, specifications and diagnostic trouble codes so users can accurately diagnose, repair and maintain their vehicle. Millions of high-quality images can be magnified and printed. Images include component location diagrams and comprehensive wiring diagrams. Auto Repair Source is also optimized for touch screen devices.
BC Laws – Access to the Statutes & Regulations of B.C.
British Columbia Codes – Includes: Building Code, Fire Code, Plumbing Code, and Errata & Revisions.
British Columbia Historical Newspapers – Anyone in British Columbia or the Yukon with a computer or mobile device can access 125+ years of digital news archives at no charge, remotely, anytime! This online access is made possible through a collaboration of academic, public, and school libraries across B.C. Search nearly 5 million digitized pages of news, ads, images and more that showcase B.C.’s heritage – a remarkable trove of content for research, teaching, and learning.
British Columbia Historical Newspapers (UBC) – Offers many of B.C.’s earliest newspapers freely available in digital format. Search and view B.C. community newspapers published from 1865 to 1924. Included are three Nelson newspapers: Nelson Economist, Miner and Tribune.
British Columbia Statistics – Statistics on population, business, the economy, labour and society.
**Business Source Premier [EBSCO] – Includes more than 2,000 business journals covering topics such as marketing, management, accounting and finance, as well as information about specific trades, industries and professions. Additional content includes market research reports, industry reports, country reports, company profiles and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analyses. Video Tutorial [4:40 minutes]
Canadian Encyclopedia – About Canada and Canadians, for students, the general public and scholars. Includes articles written by experts, as well as web links and multimedia clips.
Clicklaw (BC Courthouse Library Society) – An Internet subject guide to authoritative legal resources in BC and Canada.
Columbia Basin Water Hub – contains a variety of resources related to water in the Columbia Basin, including tabular and spatial data, written reports and images. The data is contributed by community stewardship groups, local governments and the private sector and is openly accessible to anyone. (Info Sheet)
**Consumer Health Complete [EBSCO] — Health information for the general public, patients and health professionals. Includes mainstream medical information and holistic/alternative health information from popular and professional magazines, journals, reference books and reports.
**CreativeBug (New!) — This streaming service has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
**EBSCO: all databases/periodicals – Search popular and academic magazines, reference books, plus images, covering all subject areas, from current events and history to the arts and sciences. Many Canadian titles are included. Narrow results by date, subject, publication, etc. Video Tutorial [2:25 minutes]
**Encyclopedia of British Columbia Online (In-Library use only) – BC people, places, arts, history, literature and more are covered in this special online encyclopedia. Includes articles, photographs, video and sound clips, web links, handy statistics, maps and diagrams.
**Explora Canada – For students of all ages on a wide variety of topics, from history and current events to science and technology. Sources include magazines, encyclopedias, primary source documents and more.
**Explora Primary Schools – A research interface for K-5. Simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, essays, and primary source documents to help students feel successful in their research. Easy-to-browse categories organized by popular topic to give students research ideas. Topic overviews that provide students with a starting point for research.
The Express Newspaper – A Nelson community newspaper since 1988, The Express is archived online through archive.org.
**Funk & Wagnalls (EBSCO) — For all researchers, contains various images and offers brief biographies as well as information in a variety of subject areas. Indexes over 25,000 records, covering an array of topics (full text is accessed by double-clicking), and is updated annually.
**Gale Courses – Offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month. Check out the Access My Library app on your smartphone or device and connect to your Gale Courses or access the reference library!
Khan Academy – “Learn almost anything for free.” 3300 videos explain many subjects.
**KnowBC Online – As of April 2020 everyone has access to KnowBC.com whether they are inside the library or not. This valuable online resource for history and information regarding British Columbia features a number of books that cover a variety of topics including Indigenous history, marine life, natural history, British Columbia’s role in World War I, and much more. Includes: Encyclopedia of British Columbia and more.
**LinkedIn Learning – A leading learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Check out the video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts.
**New York Times – Access to the current and past articles from The New York Times, including the U.S., Canadian and International editions. Also includes access to the Archives from 1851-2002, with 5 pdf downloads per day allowed from the 1923-1980 date range (off-site access only). New York Times Crosswords and Cooking are not included in library access.
**NoveList Plus [EBSCO] – Looking for a good novel? Want to find book reviews? Desperate to find other authors that are similar to your favourite? Check out this database of fiction books and authors, recommended reading lists, book discussion ideas and book reviews for all ages.
**NoveList K-8 –– For Kids! Looking for a book in a series? An author who writes books similar to those by your favourite author? Or are you just looking for a book on a particular topic? Find the ones that interest you by author, title, series or subject.
Points to the Past – Searchable primary source material: maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, sermons, poems, and more. For research, teaching and learning.
**Small Business Accelerator – Curated by professional business librarians, this is a reliable gateway to freely available business information, education, and assistance that is both current and trustworthy.
**Small Engine Repair Reference Center – Clymer manuals containing thousands of maintenance and repair instructions for hundreds of small engine machines. Routine maintenance and more extensive repairs for motorcycles, ATVs, personal water craft, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, tractors, snow blowers, generators, and more are covered. Video Tutorial [3 minutes]
**Vehicle Safety and Inspection Standards Online (In-Library use only) — Current vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation.