Today’s public libraries offer remote access to a wide selection of digital databases and online services. These databases greatly expand the types of services that libraries now offer. They include services like online tutoring, foreign language learning, market research, and homework help.

Through the use of accessibility tools (dyslexia fonts, screen readers, etc.), language translation tools, and 24-7 availability, these databases also greatly expand the populations of library users that can make use of library services.

Library databases are ideal for conducting research and for looking up information. They are filled with authoritative, peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedic essays, news reports, and videos. They are also a safer choice than general search engines as they readily identify the sources of all the information they contain, provide properly formatted citations, and restrict advertising.

All that is needed to use most library databases is a library card and internet service. Also needed, and sorely lacking, is an awareness that these free-to-use library databases even exist.

That is unfortunate. If more people became aware of and used these resources, they could save money, time, and effort. How?

Library databases allow members to:

• Avoid paying a subscription or fee for use.
• Avoid the wait for library buildings to open.
• Reduce risk by limiting the amount of biased or untrue content that displays.
• Avoid commercial content.
• Minimize exposure to spam, phishing, and other internet dangers.
• View e-content when all of a library’s print materials on a wanted subject or by a specific author are checked out.
• Copy, print, highlight, share, and save articles.

If you have not yet explored your library’s digital resources, I invite you to do so now.

Begin by visiting your library’s website. Then, look for links to that library’s digital resources. They may be titled “Online Resources”, “Databases”, “E-resources”, or “Research”. (On some library websites, you may need to click on some tabs to find their e-resources and databases links.) Once found, browse through the offerings. If you find one of interest, just click or tap to select it; and, if prompted, key in your library card number and PIN or password.

If you worry that using a digital library resource might be intimidating, please know that library databases are designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. “Help” screens, tutorials, and “how-to” videos are frequently provided. Should you be the type of learner who finds in-person instruction helpful, just visit your local library and ask for a demonstration.

Visitors to the Dauphin County Library System can find a full list of the digital databases offered by this library by visiting https://www.dcls.org/ and then clicking or tapping “Research & Resources” and selecting “Research”.  Listed below are a few examples:

	AtoZdatabases is a premier job search, reference, and mailing list resource. It is ideal for doing market research, locating job opportunities, and finding contact information for friends and relatives.
	NewsBank’s Patriot-News Collection resource gives library members the ability to search for and view the text of Patriot-News articles dating back to 1986. Image views showing digital copies of the pages of issues published between 2018 and today are also available.
	Dauphin County Library System offers access to Newspapers.com’s Pennsylvania collection. Using it, library members can access Pennsylvania newspapers dating as far back as the 1700s and up through the 2000s. Find obituaries, historical articles, and more.
	Tutor.com provides on-demand tutoring, homework help, test preparation and writing assistance for students in grades K – adult. Tutoring is available from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm and no appointment is necessary.
	Wiess Financial Ratings provides market details on stocks, mutual funds, and other investment products. It also supplies strength ratings for banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. Consumer and financial literacy guides are available to provide instruction and guidance.

Don’t have a library membership to this, or any public library?

Remote access to library databases may still be available to you. If you live in Pennsylvania, you have access to over two dozen e-resources through the POWER Library website. See https://powerlibrary.org/e-resources. Remote access is granted to all Pennsylvania residents using either a library card from any public or school library in Pennsylvania or a free POWER Library e-card. (visit https://powerlibrary.org/ecard/ to get one.) POWER Library offers resources to meet the information needs of all children, teens, and adults in this state.

If you live outside of Pennsylvania, visit the websites of the libraries in your community and look for options to register for a card online. Explore also the resources that your state’s State Library may offer.

If you do live in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and would like to register online for a library card, visit https://www.dcls.org/get_library_card to apply.

Wherever you live, don’t let a lack of awareness keep you from using, and enjoying, the many digital resources that libraries make available.