Databases
Featured Databases

American Ancestors ›
Extensive genealogical searching for census, vital and military records.
Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center ›
"How-to" instructions and creative ideas for hobby enthusiasts
National Geographic Kids ›
Pictures, books and magazine articles about animals, science, history, cultures, the environment and more.REMOTE ACCESS TO MOST DATABASES IS LIMITED TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS RESIDENT CARDHOLDERS
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A to Z The USA
A large-scale encyclopedia of US state and country information. Topics include history, geography, demographics, education, food and recipes, government, crime, maps, media outlets, symbols, sports, and more.
A to Z World Culture
Information about the culture, language, history, food, religion, and much more, for 175 countries.
A to Z World Maps
Thousands of detailed international maps (countries, regions, states, etc.), as well as topographic maps, climate maps, and more.
ABCmouse At-Home Access
NEW: Fun interactive online lessons for learners ages 2-8. Features over 10,000 interactive books, educational games, puzzles, and other learning activities—over 1000 of which are in Spanish. Includes assessment tools for parents. | App Information
For use inside the library, use this link.
Access Newspaper Archive
Historical access to scanned pages from hundreds of newspapers. Coverage varies by paper. Includes the Daily Herald, 1901-present. [Note: Newspapers.com and Access Newspaper Archive both cover different sets of newspapers, with some overlap.]
AHML Online Newsstand
NEW: A single page for quick access to the library's online magazine and newspaper collections.
Alldata Pro
Automobile repair information and diagrams. In-library use only. The library’s Tech Help Desk now lends OBD scanners for reading diagnostic trouble codes. Contact us for details.
During the library's closure, this product will be available to library cardholders from home.
America's Newspapers (Chicagoland Edition)
NOTE: Replaced by Newsbank's new, more comprehensive Chicago Community Collection database.
America's Obituaries & Death Notices
This product has been replaced by the new, larger HeritageHub database, also from Newsbank.
From newspapers across the U.S. Note: Chicago Tribune obituaries are in ProQuest Newsstand/Global Newsstream.
American Ancestors
Extensive genealogical searching for census, vital and military records. From the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
NOTE 6/22/20: Full remote access will be available to cardholders while the library building has limited public access.
Non-cardholders outside the library still have limited access to some records here.
Ancestry Library Edition
Family history data, census information, immigration, etc.
NOTE: Starting January 1, 2022, Ancestry Library Edition will only be available inside the library. Please consider using HeritageQuest or other genealogy databases that are available via remote access.
Database accessible only from within the library.ArkivDigital
Source for Swedish genealogy. Contains millions of historical documents, including church records, court records and estate inventories. | Login Tips
During the library's closure, you can ask for at-home access to ArkivDigital, which is normally only available inside the library. Use the library's contact form and specify "research" as the option for how to direct the feedback.
Arlington Heights History
From the Illinois Digital Archive. Includes village history/directories, local military history, and people & places.
Auto Repair Source
NEW: Accurate, authoritative and up-to-date “do-it-yourself” service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles.
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Black Freedom Struggle in the United States
Historical newspaper articles, pamphlets, diaries, correspondence and more from specific time periods in U.S. history marked by the opposition African Americans have faced on the road to freedom.
Black Life in America
NEW: The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media, 1704 to today.
Bluebird by Pronunciator
NEW: Bluebird is a new app from Pronunciator for learning languages through quick audio lessons via your mobile device. Read these sign-up instructions to get started!
Booklist
More than 120,000 book reviews. Includes the new monthly digital edition of Booklist magazine.
Booklist Reader
NEW: From the publishers of Booklist, this new magazine for library users features monthly themed issues, top 10 lists, author interviews and more.
BookPage
Monthly magazine highlighting new book releases and author interviews. Current freely available issues available online for January 2020-present. Also visit their YouTube channel for additional features and interviews.
Brilliant.org
NEW: Helps students learn math, science, and engineering through bite-sized, interactive learning experiences. Covers algebra, geometry, number theory, logic, science and computing concepts.
Our educator's access to Brilliant.org is for users under 18 years old, upon parental/guardian request. Parents/guardians can request an account for their child HERE.
Arlington Heights cardholders onlyBritannica Library--for Children
Kids' edition of the world's most famous encyclopedia. Includes a world atlas, state profiles, biographies, animal profiles and much more.
Britannica Library--for Young Adults
Young adult edition of the world's most famous encyclopedia. Includes a world atlas, state profiles, biographies, and more, as well as "how-to" guides for research projects, presentations, etc.
Britannica Library--Reference Center
The world's most famous encyclopedia. Includes a world atlas, state profiles, biographies and much more.