Research

Research Databases

This collection of databases & websites is provided by funding through the Grandview Library, OPLIN, and our consortium. Enjoy this special collection of premium services!

NOTE: You will need a Grandview Library card to access most Research Databases.

Research Help at the Library

Our Reference department is your destination for authoritative information & assistance from professional librarians. Services & materials include:

• Ask a Grandview Librarian: Call 614-481-3776.
• Fourteen Internet/Microsoft Word 2007 computers: Two one-hour sessions per day.
• Three Express Internet computers: One 15-minute session per day.
• Two computers with Microsoft Office 2003 & 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Winway Resume, Access, Publisher): two-hour sessions per day.
• Computer printouts & copy machine: 10 cents for black and white, 25 cents for color.
• Three Study Rooms, with WiFi and dry erase boards. (First come, first served)
• FAX: $3 first page; $1 each additional page. (U.S. only. International faxing not available.)
• More than 200 magazines and 10 newspapers.
• Older newspapers on microfilm. Copies are 10 cents per page.
• Discover local history, travel, and more in our vertical file.
• Monthly art display.
• Relax, read, or study in the Quiet Reading Room.

Call 614-481-3776 or visit Reference, located on the second floor of the Library.

Research Databases: Complete List

General

• Gale Virtual Reference Library (free mobile app)
  Gale Virtual Reference Library is a database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
• Live Homework Help
  Students K-12 & adult learners can get help in any subject from a free online tutor. Sessions available 3-11 pm every day. Spanish language homework help is also available in math and science Sunday-Thursday, 3-10 pm.
• Oxford Reference Online
  A wide variety of reference books online including English and bilingual dictionaries, maps and atlases, timelines, an encyclopedia, and subject references from Oxford University Press.
• World Book for kids
  Encyclopedia articles for grades K-5.
• World Book (mobile version)
  A suite of online research tools...including encyclopedia articles, primary source collections.
• World Book Spanish
  A suite of online research tools...including encyclopedia articles, primary source collections in Spanish.
• Ask a Librarian
  Live online help from a Reference Librarian 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free Apple mobile apps.
• Credo Reference
  Search over 600 eReference books for your research project. Topic page results include magazine articles, books from our Library catalog, authoritative Web sites, and more.
• Digital Downloads
  Free downloadable books, movies & music. Created by the Grandview Library & its consortium libraries.
• Photohio
  Search newspaper photo archives, yearbooks, local historical publications. This site was born out of a grant project managed by the Grandview Heights Public Library. The project was funded in part by LSTA grant funds and local library funds.
• Explore Ohio
  ExploreOhio is the place to go to learn just about anything about the Buckeye State.
• Freading
  Download Freading e-books onto a variety of compatible devices, including e-readers, smartphones, tablets, and computers. Get access to all titles — no holds or waiting lists. Not currently available for Kindle. Free mobile apps: Android, Apple, Kindle Fire app instructions.
• Librarians' Internet Index
  Websites you can trust.
• OPLIN OneSearch
  Resources selected especially for Ohio public libraries.
• Ohio Web Library
  The Ohio Web Library is an evolving collection of thousands of online publications and research resources.

Art & Architecture

• Art Museum Image Library
  More than 70,000 high-quality, digital images of works of art from museums around the world.

Automotive

• Auto Repair Reference Center (ARRC)
  Information on more than 33,000 vehicles (1945-present): drawings & step-by-step photos; service bulletins & recalls; enhanced wiring diagrams; and much more. Based on Chilton's Auto Repair Information. Created by ASE-certified technicians.
• Kelley Blue Book
  Find used car values & new car pricing.

Biography

• Wilson Biography Reference Bank (mobile version)
  Biographical information for over 550,000 people worldwide from ancient history through present day.
• Biography for Beginners
  Based on the print series, Biography for Beginners features narrative histories, glossaries, timelines, and illustrations for kids in grades K-3.

Business

• EbscoHost Business Source Premier
  More than 1,000 journals covering business, finance, economics, management, and more.
• Morningstar Investment Research Center
  Real-time data, analysis, and screening tools for stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds). Includes analyst reports and ratings, articles and videos on investing and personal finance, market coverage and industry reports, portfolio analysis tools and savings calculators. (Available in-Library only)
• Ohio Legal Forms (free mobile app)
  
• ReferenceUSA (Free app for Apple iPad with iOS 4.0 or later)
  14 million U.S. businesses (updated monthly) and over 100 million U.S. residents (updated continuously) to aid in job searching, market research, and locating friends and relatives.
• 1st Stop Business Connection
  Build your own business kit with tips & forms from the Ohio Department of Development.
• Small Business Fact Sheet Series (The Ohio State University Extension)
  Advertising, business plans, financing, human resources, permits, zoning, pricing, and more.
• Grandview Library's Business Page
  Our collection of resources, plus information on local organizations, meeting space, and annual events.

Career & Jobs

• LearningExpressLibrary.com Online Test Resource
  Standardized practice tests for elementary school through college levels, computer skills tutorials, job search and resume help, and professional licensing and certification tests.
• Cypress Resume
  Effortlessly create professional-quality resumes in three quick and simple steps.
• OhioMeansJobs.com
  Search thousands of job listings in Ohio and post your resume.
• columbusjobs.com
  Central Ohio jobs database compiled and updated daily by the Columbus Dispatch and WBNS-TV.
• Civil Service Commission: City of Columbus
  Find and apply for current civil service job openings available through the City of Columbus.
• CareerBuilder
  Search over 1 million Jobs on CareerBuilder.com. Find new employment or work. Fresh job listings posted daily.
• Monster
  Biggest job site online featuring over a million job listings. Search for jobs by category, location or keyword.
• Beauty Schools Directory
  Location, program, and scholarship information on training programs for cosmetology, esthetics, massage, and more.

Consumer

• CNET
  Reviews, news, downloads, blogs, podcasts, and more for technology and consumer electronics.
• Consumer Search
  Health & safety information from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
• Household Products Database
  Personal and third party reviews for electronics, home & garden, automotive, and more.

Education

• LearningExpressLibrary.com Online Test Resource
  Standardized practice tests for elementary school through college levels, computer skills tutorials, job search and resume help, and professional licensing and certification tests.
• Ed2Go
  Instructor-led courses offering a wide range of classes including computer applications, web design, accounting, personal development, and personal development. See the full course list and a help sheet for getting started.
• FAFSA
  Apply for free student aid.
• StudentAid.gov
  U.S. Department of Education's college preparation resources: Loans, financial aid, eligibility requirements, repayment, forgiveness, and more.
• The Internet Public Library for Parents & Teachers (Provided by OPLIN)
  

eReference Books

• Credo Reference
  Search over 600 eReference books for your research project. Topic page results include magazine articles, books from our Library catalog, authoritative Web sites, and more.
• Gale Virtual Reference Library (free mobile app)
  Gale Virtual Reference Library is a database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
• Opposing Viewpoints (free mobile app)
  Social topics with newspaper, magazine, and viewpoint articles, plus overviews, statistics, images, podcasts, and more.
• Oxford Reference Online
  A wide variety of reference books online including English and bilingual dictionaries, maps and atlases, timelines, an encyclopedia, and subject references from Oxford University Press.

Genealogy

• Ancestry Library Edition (Available in-Library only, including through our Wi-Fi)
  Access billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more for individuals from around the world. Start with a two-minute video overview, user and database guides, and sample searches. (Provided by OPLIN)
• Cyndi's List
A trusted genealogy research site with comprehensive cross-referenced links to genealogical sites around the globe.
• Ellis Island Foundation
• Ohio Death Certificate Index
  Search Ohio death certificate indexes (1909-1953) and order copies from the Ohio Historical Society.
• Explore Ohio
  Search cemeteries, collections in Ohio genealogy libraries, genealogy resources indexed by county, historic maps & geographical information, military genealogy, and statewide genealogical resources.
• Ohio Genealogy
  Find indexes to Ohio Vital Records by county, Ohio death certificates, and other resources.
• National Archives
  Get help finding Census Records resources to begin your genealogy search.

Government & Voting

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Columbus City Codes
• Ohio Secretary of State
• Franklin County (Ohio) Board of Elections
• League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus
• Project Vote Smart
• United States Census Bureau

Health & Wellness

• NetWellness
  Information and education services created by evaluated by faculty of OSU, Case Western Reserve University and University of Cincinnati.
• Medline
  Search citations from more than 4,000 current biomedical journals.
• FamilyDoctor.org
  Health tips and medical information for the entire family.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Reliable current news and information on various diseases. Includes educational and prevention materials and research details.
• Healthfinder.gov
  Consumer Health information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• National Institutes for Health: Health Information
  Topic database providing information on many diseases, conditions, symptoms, and procedures.

History and Geography

• AtoZ the USA
  Get state, county, and city information for all 50 states and five territories of the US. Great information for school projects, moving/relocation research, and supplementing travel guides. Includes maps, gazetteer of places, images, symbols, art and culture, climate, crime, demographics, economy, education, and much more.
• CIA World Factbook
  National-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies. Updated every two weeks.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
  More than 40,000 maps of Ohio cities & towns, from 1876-1970.
• The Ohio Historical Society
  Historical sites, genealogy, educational services, exhibitions, research tools, and more.
• A Pronunciation Guide to Places in Ohio
• What's The Point?
  That pointy rock you found could be flint, carved by Ohio's prehistoric people and used for tools, weapons, and making fire. (Provided by OPLIN)

Kids

• Our collection of fun, interactive & educational links for kids, including:
• Live Homework Help Students K-12 & adult learners: Get help from an online tutor every day, 3-11 pm. Spanish help available in math & science Sun-Thurs, 3-10 pm. Funded by the Grandview Library Foundation. Free Apple mobile apps.
• Tumblebooks (animated talking children's books)
• AtoZ the USA
• Biography for Beginners
  Based on the print series, Biography for Beginners features narrative histories, glossaries, timelines, and illustrations for kids in grades K-3.
• World Book for kids
  Encyclopedia articles for grades K-5.
• World Book's Early World of Learning (narrated stories, games and more; provided by OPLIN).

Languages

• Mango Languages
  Free online lessons that are quick & easy. (Provided by OPLIN.) Free mobile apps: iPhone, iPad, or iPad.
• Signing Savvy
  Learn American Sign Language with this video dictionary that contains signs & fingerspelled words. (New users must create a free account.) Free mobile apps: Apple/iOS, Android.

Law

• Ohio Legal Forms
  Forms for adoption, leases, wills, name change, and more. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
• Ohio Revised Code & Ohio Administrative Code
• Ohio Laws, Acts, and Legislation
  Includes full text access to Ohio Bill Analyses and Status Report of Legislation which are both publications of the Legislative Service Commission (LSC).

Literature

• NoveList Plus
  Find fiction and nonfiction authors & titles with this readers' advisory resource for all ages. Includes an easy-to-use author read-alikes section to find authors similar to your favorites. Search 200,000 titles, including picture books, children's "chapter" books, young adult titles, and books for adults.
• American and English Literature
  Find full-text works of American and English poetry & drama, 18th-century English fiction, 11 editions of Shakespeare, and dozens of versions of the Bible in English. (Provided by OPLIN)
• Project Gutenberg
  40,000+ e-books in various formats and languages available for download.

Magazines, Periodicals, & Newspapers

• Zinio (Grandview Library card required)
  Download or view more than 150 popular full magazines online for free. Get instructions and free mobile apps (view only; you must check out magazine through a browser before viewing on an app): Android, iPhone/iPad, Blackberry Playbook. Kindle Fire special instructions.
• Columbus Dispatch Newspaper Archives
  July 1985 to the present. Updated daily at 12:30 pm.
• EbscoHost Research Databases (mobile version)
  Subscription-only, Internet-based collection of periodical & pamphlet databases. Provides abstracts & indexing for more than 3,600 periodicals and includes searchable, full text for more than 1,700 periodicals and pamphlets. (Provided by OPLIN)
• Photohio
  Search newspaper photo archives, yearbooks, local historical publications. This site was born out of a grant project managed by the Grandview Heights Public Library. The project was funded in part by LSTA grant funds and local library funds.
• America's News
  State, regional, and national full-text articles with diverse source types. including: print and online newspapers, blogs, journals, newswires, broadcast transcripts, and videos. Explore a specific issue or event or compare a wide variety of viewpoints on topics, including: business, health, education, government, history, and politics. Includes the Akron Beacon Journal, Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch, and USA Today. Also includes Special Reports for homework help and research assignments.

Science & Technology

• Science Online
  A comprehensive, curriculum-oriented overview of a broad range of scientific disciplines in a variety of useful formats
• What Tree Is It?
  Search Ohio trees by leaf, fruit, or name. (Provided by OPLIN)
• What's That Snake?
  See more than 30 kinds of snakes that live in Ohio. (Provided by OPLIN)
• What's The Point?
  That pointy rock you found could be flint, carved by Ohio's prehistoric people and used for tools, weapons, and making fire. (Provided by OPLIN)

Social Issues

• Opposing Viewpoints (free mobile app)
  Social topics with newspaper, magazine, and viewpoint articles, plus overviews, statistics, images, podcasts, and more.

Taxes

• IRS Federal Tax Forms and Publications
• IRS Help
• FedWorld
  Find government & business information, including tax forms.
• Ohio Department of Taxation
• Grandview Heights Tax Department/RITA
• Village of Marble Cliff Tax Department
• City of Columbus Income Tax Division
• The Benefit Bank
  Secure, free tax-filing service with easy instructions. Free federal and state filing if you make $60K or less. Free counselor assistance. Create an account.

Travel

• A to Z World Travel
  Content includes over 202 World Cities, concise overviews, city maps and facts, attractions, hotels, restaurants, parks, gardens; world travel resources on health and safety, emergencies, women travelers and more.
• AtoZ the USA
  Get state, county, and city information for all 50 states and five territories of the US. Great information for school projects, moving/relocation research, and supplementing travel guides. Includes maps, gazetteer of places, images, symbols, art and culture, climate, crime, demographics, economy, education, and much more.

Other Library Catalogs

• The Grandview Library's consortium libraries (with whom we share materials)
• Bexley Public Library
• Discovery Place Libraries (Columbus, Worthington, Southwest Public Libraries)
• Upper Arlington Public Library
• Westerville Public Library