Start your research with our collection of premium research databases and online resources to find valuable information on a variety of topics.

ABCmouse.com is a comprehensive early learning site for children ages 2 through 6+, covering reading and language arts, math, science, social studies, art, and music. It is completely child-safe, with no advertising or links to other websites. 

Find global information on business, education, the environment, health, jobs and careers, people, politics and government, social issues, sports, STEM and more including newspapers, videos and web-only content featuring Cumberland Times-News, Herald-Mail, The Sun, USA Today, international sources and more.

Genealogical and local history information. Includes the digitized images of the U.S. Federal Census from 1790 to 1940, the American Genealogical Biographical Index, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, and slave narratives.

Beanstack is a free service provided by your local library to help families discover books and apps based on your child's age and interests. Our goal is help prepare your child for school and ensure that he or she is reading at or above grade level by third grade. Beanstack offers reading engagement for all ages during Summer Reading Club. All books recommended are available for free at your library.

Please note: our subscription to Beanstack will end on June 30, 2025.

Select primary source documents related to critical people and events in African American history.

Scholastic BookFlix is a new online literacy resource that pairs classic video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build a love of reading and learning. The engaging way to link fact and fiction, BookFlix reinforces early reading skills and introduces children to a world of knowledge and exploration.

Booklist Online contains over 120,000 reviews and thousands of features dating back to 1992.

Books & Authors offers new ways to explore the endless possibilities and combinations of books, authors, genres and topics. Combining over 140,000 titles, 50,000 authors, and thousands of read-alike, award winner and librarian's favorites lists, Books & Authors helps bring readers and literature together. Through the use of expertly written and arranged content and a dynamic, cutting edge user interface, Books & Authors makes exploration of genre fiction and essential non-fiction fun! By leveraging our entire award-winning What Do I Read Next? collection, patrons and students alike can be sure that their next big read comes with a BIG recommendation.

Whether you are going back to school, switching jobs, or just want to brush up on an academic skill, our adult learning center is here to help. HelpNow writing experts will help you craft a winning resume and cover letter or help you learn Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel or Powerpoint. Also, get help studying for the GED or U.S. Citizenship Test; Brainfuse includes practice tests, live coaching and other helpful resources.

A collection of actual business plans compiled by, and aimed at, entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses in North America. Plans are from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries, with company names and addresses changed. Also includes a business plan template, fictional business plans, a listing of organizations, agencies, and consultants; a glossary; and an updated bibliography.

Search the most authoritative automotive repair information available to car owners.

The College Navigator, from the U.S. Department of Education, provides students and their families with information about colleges and federal financial aid. Provides current data on expenses, financial aid, enrollment, admission, graduation rates, majors and the college selection process.

With Comics Plus, you have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers.

Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer, tablet or phone - no holds or wait lists required.

Children's Library collection includes curated comics appropriate for children ages 5-10.  See age guidelines.

How to Access Comics Plus:

• Use your library barcode and password 
  For Student cards use your student card number and password

#ReadAllTheComics

With Comics Plus, you have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers.

Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer, tablet or phone - no holds or wait lists required.

Full Library collection includes ALL comics. See age guidelines.

How to Access Comics Plus:

• Use your library barcode and password

#ReadAllTheComics

With Comics Plus, you have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers.

Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer, tablet or phone - no holds or wait lists required.

Teen Library collection includes curated comics appropriate for children ages 11-18.  Please note, all RAIL card users are excluded from using this collection.  See age guidelines.

How to Access Comic Plus:

• Use your library barcode and password

#ReadAllTheComics

With Comics Plus, you have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers.

Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer, tablet or phone - no holds or wait lists required.

The Washington County collection includes curated comics appropriate for WCPS school children ages 5-18.See age guidelines.

How to Access Comics Plus:

• Use your library barcode and password 
• For Student cards use your student card number and password

#ReadAllTheComics

Learn about the Washington County community's health and wellness. Compare indicators for your community against state averages, county values, and target goals. Discover areas of excellence and improvement in your community all in one convenient platform!

Find information on community issues and events, business, education, government and more from 2007 to present from the Cumberland Times News using the Newsbank portal. .

Join the Library's Online Book Clubs and start receiving chapters from popular books in your daily email. Every day, Monday through Friday, we'll send you a portion of a book that takes only five minutes to read. Each Monday we begin a new book and by Friday you will have the chance to read 2 or 3 chapters, enough to know if it's a book you want to finish. You can read a wide variety of books including fiction, nonfiction, romance, business, teen and mystery books. Just give us your email address and five minutes a day, and we'll give you an exciting world of reading.

Contains more than 70,000 of the most commonly occurring surnames in the United States, giving their comparative frequencies, linguistic and historical explanations, selected associated forenames, and occasional genealogical notes.

This website provides centralized, one-stop access to Maryland-related historical documents, images, audio, and video for Maryland's public libraries and cultural heritage institutions.

(Free DMV Permit Practice Tests) 

Every person with a driver's license, from a regular commuter to a racecar driver, started exactly where you are right now: worried about passing their permit test. In the past, the only thing you could do was pick up the study manual from the MVA and go over each page until you felt like you had the information memorized. But now, with the entire internet at your fingertips, there's a better way to prepare. Driving-Tests.org gives you the chance to practice in the best way possible: with realistic practice tests, filled with accurate questions, based on the permit manual from Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration! Includes: 10 car practice tests, 6 motorcycle practice tests, 1 CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) practice test, 2 online driver’s manuals (car and motorcycle), a FAQ section with detailed answers to 100+ DMV-related questions.

There are many free websites online that provide quality health information right at your fingertips. This resource guide lists websites to help you research health info on general health, nutrition, finding a doctor, health insurance, local health-related organizations, professional articles and clinical trials, complementary and alternative medicine, consumer protection, diseases and conditions, and health info for seniors.

This resource for academic research integrates the full text of publications from across the disciplines and now includes vocational/technical titles used by community college students, filling a specific need for curriculum-oriented collections. Expanded Academic ASAP provides indexing for more than 5,000 periodicals, more than 2,800 in full text without any embargo. The combination of full text for scholarly journals and selected general interest titles for smaller academic libraries is ideal.

General OneFile provides access to more than 14,000 periodicals, newspapers, reference books, and multimedia sources, along with over 163,000 images, 6,400 audio files, and 1.3 million videos. The database is particularly useful to users conducting general reference queries, business searches, and current event research.

Gale In Context: Elementary (formerly Kids InfoBits) covers popular topics on a child's reading level. Key subjects includes Animals, Arts, Geography, Health, Literature, People, Social Studies, Technology, and more.

Gale In Context: High School includes full-text newspapers and periodicals like The Economist, The New York Times, National Geographic, Newsweek, Popular Science, Smithsonian. Provides hundreds of thousands of images, videos, and audio selections that include archival film clips, broadcast video, BBC News, New York Times video, and NPR.

Created specifically for middle-schoolers, Gale In Context: Middle School combines the best of Gale's reference content with age-appropriate videos, newspapers, magazines, primary sources, and much more. Students will find outstanding support to complete assignments in core subjects including literature, science, social studies, and history.

Gale OneFile Virtual Collections provides access to various magazines, academic journals and newspapers using a cross-reference search. 

Collections include:

• Gale OneFile: Agriculture
• Gale OneFile: Business
• Gale OneFile: Communications and Mass Media
• Gale OneFile: Criminal Justice
• Gale OneFile: Culinary Arts
• Gale OneFile: Diversity Studies
• Gale OneFile: Economics and Theory
• Gale OneFile: Entrepreneurship
• Gale OneFile: Environmental Studies and Policy
• Gale OneFile: Fine Arts 
• Gale OneFile: Gardening and Horticulture
• Gale OneFile: Gender Studies
• Gale OneFile: Home Improvement
• Gale OneFile: Hospitality and Tourism
• Gale OneFile: Information Science
• Gale OneFile: Insurance and Liability
• Gale OneFile: Leadership and Management
• Gale OneFile: Military and Intelligence
• Gale OneFile: News
• Gale OneFile: Nursing and Allied Health
• Gale OneFile: Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
• Gale OneFile: Pop Culture Studies
• Gale OneFile: Popular Magazines
• Gale OneFile: Psychology
• Gale OneFile: Religion and Philosophy
• Gale OneFile: Science
• Gale OneFile: U.S. History
• Gale OneFile: Vocations and Careers
• Gale OneFile: War and Terrorism
• Gale OneFile: World History

Educator's Reference Complete provides access to academic journals, reports, and many premier reference sources in the field of education. The majority of the full-text titles included are also found in the ERIC database. The database includes content in key subject areas including administration, bilingual education, child development and psychology, funding, health education, technology, and testing.

Gale OneFile: News provides access to full-text newspapers and allows users to search articles instantly by title, headline, date, newspaper section, or other fields. The database offers a one-stop source for current news and searchable archives.

Brainfuse’s “HelpNow” is a comprehensive suite of tutoring services designed for a range of academic needs; whether it’s tackling a tough homework problem, learning an academic skill, or writing a term paper. “HelpNow” is available for students in grades K through Adult Learners in the following subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts that includes writing assistance and Reading Comprehension/Grammar/Vocabulary Skills Building, English Literature and Foreign Languages.

Find information on community issues and events, business, education, government and more from 1996 to present using from the Herald-Mail the Newsbank Portal. 

Resources in this genealogy database include the US Federal Census 1790-1930; the Periodical Source Index, covering genealogy and local history periodicals written in English and French (Canada) since 1800; and the Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files.

hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service offered by your local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. We have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere. Checkout limit per user is 6 per month.

Effective September 2024: Access to hoopla is no longer available to Student RAIL cardholders. Hoopla access was granted during COVID-19, and we are adjusting our subscription access to return to prior use for regular Washington County Free Library cardholders only (cardholders that begin with 22395).

Checkout Availability note: 

The library highly values access to a wide range of resources for our community.  In order to continue to provide all the resources you have come to expect the library now needs to institute a daily cap on Hoopla checkouts effective October 1, 2023.  Budgetary constraints make this a necessary step.  This measure aims to ensure equitable access for all patrons while managing our resources responsibly.  We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenges together.  If while using Hoopla you receive a message that the daily cap has been reached for the day, simply come back the next day to complete your checkout.  

Alvin J. Johnson was a publisher of maps and atlases from 1854-1887, under the names A.J. Johnson, Johnson and Browning and Johnson and Ward. His Atlases and the maps of the various states in the United States have become collectible and are avidly sought by collectors and historians alike. Many state maps have been removed from Johnson's Family World Atlases and are collected in this form by collectors. The Johnson U.S. Map Project has created a data set of the changes in Johnson's U.S. and state maps which will allow the user of this website to definitively date the publication of any loose map from these atlases. We also present historical essays on the life of Johnson and his atlases and his relationship with other 19th Century American Atlas publishers, J.H. Colton and Augustus Mitchell.

The Johnson U.S. Map Project represents the work of Dr. Ira S. Lourie. He is a child psychiatrist who has been an avid map collector since 1978 and whose mapping related interests include both the maps of Maryland and the atlases of Alvin J. Johnson. He has presented his work on Johnson and his atlases to the Washington Map Society and has been published in the Map Society’s journal, the Portolan. Dr. Lourie is the sole owner of the Johnson U.S. Map Project database and website. In 2020 Dr. Lourie graciously donated his collection to the Washington County Free Library.

Provided under the Western Maryland Regional Library account

Access to more than 30,000 Films, for FREE! The popular on demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for FREE at Washington County Free Library. Library card holders can access Kanopy and sign up to start streaming films on instantly. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV or Chromecast.

Offering what the New York Times calls “a garden of cinematic delights,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award winning documentaries, rare and hard to find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema with collections from Umbrella Entertainment, Madman Entertainment, Under the Milky Way, SND Films and thousands of independent filmmakers. Kanopy is free for users with a library card.  30 tickets per month.  

* * Kanopy is provided under the Western Maryland Regional Library account so be sure to search for "Western Maryland Regional Library" if you are logging in from an application platform. * *

Access a wide selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms and resources across the most popular legal areas.

Browse hundreds of downloadable ebooks, audiobooks and magazines! Check out and download best-selling titles to your PC, then transfer to a supported device or burn many titles to CD to enjoy anytime, anywhere.

Literature Criticism Online takes literature, history and culture to the next level with the largest, most extensive compilation of literary commentary available.  Contains centuries of analysis - the scholarly and popular commentary from broadsheets, pamphlets, encyclopedias, books and periodicals - in an easy-to-use online format that matches the exact look and feel of the print originals.

The Guide covers diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology, and issues in an A-Z format, with sidebars addressing recent developments in medicine and concise information boxes for all diseases and disorders.

Mango Languages creates engaging language-learning experiences for individuals, libraries, schools, corporations, and government agencies across the continent and around the globe.

 Casual, cultural, and conversational learning

Speak like a local in 70+ languages with practical, conversation-based language lessons for web, iOS, and Android. Learn Spanish, French, German, and more — download the free Mango app to get started.

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations including journal articles, extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news.

Milestone Documents in American History combines 133 full-text primary source documents with expert analysis and commentary.  Additional titles include:

• Milestone Documents in African American History
• Milestone Documents in American History
• Milestone Documents of American Leaders
• Milestone Documents in World History
• Milestone Documents of World Religions

Morningstar® Investment Research Center offers real-time access to comprehensive data and independent analysis on thousands of investments, spanning mutual funds, stocks, exchange-traded funds, and closed-end funds. Investment Research Center serves all levels of investors with a range of dynamic tools and thoughtful perspectives to help them make more informed investment decisions.

National Geographic Kids (also known as Nat Geo Kids) collection includes the complete run of the magazine from the first issue in 2009 to the present, as well as books, videos including Amazing Animals, images, and colorful photos. Explore amazing adventures in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space. Best for children aged 6–14.

This comprehensive news collection is ideal for exploring issues and events at the local, regional, national and international level. Its diverse source type includes print and online-only newspapers, blogs, newswires, journals, broadcast transcripts and videos. Use it to explore a specific event or to compare a wide variety of viewpoints on topics such as politics, business, health, sports, cultural activities and people.

600,000 words … 3 million quotations … over 1000 years of English.  The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words— past and present—from across the English-speaking world.

Search thousands of college and graduate schools, identify scholarships, take practice tests, create resumes, and explore careers.

Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) has vital information on every business & consumer in the United States & Canada. It assists business executives in finding valuable sales leads, conducting market research or competitive analysis, and provides an avenue for businesses to do effective marketing & outreach. Students are able to reference this data for research projects and job seekers may find gainful employment. Reference Solutions provides data on businesses, consumers, healthcare providers, new movers & homeowners, as well as historical business information.

The Rural Heritage Museum's mission is to preserve the past and provide learning opportunities about the rural heritage in Washington County Maryland prior to 1940.

Salem Health covers diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology, and issues in an A-Z format, with sidebars addressing recent developments in medicine and concise information boxes for all diseases and disorders. Titles include:

• Magill's Medical Guide
• Salem Health: Infectious Diseases & Conditions
• Salem Health: Cancer

Salem Literature is a robust online database that includes the complete content of printed reference sets. Titles currently available:

• Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Heroes & Heroines
• Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Love, Sexuality, and Desire
• Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: World Mythology

Salem Science is a robust online database that includes the complete content of printed reference sets. Titles currently available on Salem Science:

• Encyclopedia of Mathematics & Society
• Earth Science: Earth Materials and Resources
• Earth Science: Earth’s Weather, Water, and Atmosphere
• Earth Science: Earth's Surface and History
• Earth Science: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
• Environmental Issues
• Encyclopedia of Global Warming

Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970 provides access to more than 660,000 large-scale maps for more than 12,000 American towns and cities. Sanborn fire insurance maps are the most frequently consulted maps in libraries, and are valuable historical tools. In electronic form, Sanborn maps allow users to easily manipulate the maps, magnify and zoom in on specific sections, and layer maps from different years.

Resource guide: Fire Insurance Map Research Guide

Something About the Author Online provides first-time comprehensive online access to all volumes ever printed in Gale's™ acclaimed and long-standing Something About the Author series, which examines the lives and works of authors and illustrators for children and young adults and is the preeminent source on authors and literature for young people. Something About the Author Online includes both the main series and Something About the Author Autobiography Series, totaling more than 217 volumes, 12,000 entries, and nearly 17,000 images - all delivered in an easy-to-use 24/7 online format that matches the exact look and feel of the print originals.

Washington County Free Library in partnership with Western Maryland Regional Library has sponsored subscription access to WashingtonPost.com for all patrons and staff. To enjoy unlimited access, simply visit the site while connected to the library’s internet network. Access includes current news coverage from The Post’s expert reporting and analysis from Washington and around the world.

While The Washington Post, published since December 6, 1877, has long been considered the newspaper of record when it comes to politics and global affairs, The Post also contains smart and thoughtful reporting on topics ranging from the environment to food and cooking. Readers will not only benefit from reading The Post’s coverage, but also enjoy The Post’s interactives and videos.

In 2018, The Post formally launched its Enterprise Solutions division, along with The Washington Post’s Public Library program.

Access instructions:

Onsite access: authenticates using the library’s IP ranges

• Using either the library’s computers or the public Wi-Fi on personal devices
• Find the link for onsite access to WashingtonPost.com on the library’s page for digital resources
• Select the onsite link to reach WashingtonPost.com
• Readers will be directed to the site  There should be no paywall and no registration prompt with onsite access

Offsite access: authenticates by log-in credentials, specifically an email address and password

• Navigate to your library’s homepage; then go to the library’s page for digital resources
• Locate and select the offsite (remote) access link for WashingtonPost.com
• Readers are taken to your library landing page at WashingtonPost.com landing page with the following message  “Try The Washington Post free for the next 7 days. Enter your email to get started:”
• Users should then register or log-in with two steps by entering an email address and password
• Unrestricted offsite access is available to readers for 7 days, beginning at the point of entering the site after registering or logging in.  On the eighth day,  users should return to the library’s digital resource webpage and select the offsite access link for WashingtonPost.com;  this triggers a new 7-day access period for the individual. 

TrueFlix™ is the only online resource that leverages the award-winning True Books content to help students hone literacy skills, build knowledge of subject-area content, and cultivate 21st Century skills through the inquiry process.

Browser Check:

Please click on the following link to make sure your computer meets the necessary technical requirements and has the proper plug-ins installed: http://go.grolier.com/browsercheck

2-1-1 Maryland is partnership of four agencies working together to provide simple access to health and human services information. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services. Call specialists answer calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The 2-1-1 database has information on nearly 5,000 agencies and programs across the state.

Learn and improve skills across business, tech, design, and more. Includes 10,000+ on-demand video courses in multiple languages.

Visit this video tutorial to find out how you can use Udemy. 

Investment information and analysis to meet the changing needs of investors.

Free,  live,  online  academic  and  job  assistance  for  veterans  transitioning  to  civilian  life. Resources include:

• Resume Review
• Job interview coaching
• Standardized test practice
• Live academic tutoring

The purpose of this guide is to serve as an introduction to the genealogy resources available through the Washington County Free Library system, including the John Clinton Frye Western Maryland Room.

Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties in Western Maryland have a rich and diverse history. View images from the collections of the libraries, historical societies, and individuals in the three counties. There are photographs, newspaper articles, and indexes, rare books and more.

Features the content of The World Book Encyclopedia, plus 16 additional databases, which include an online atlas, Spanish-language encyclopedia, teacher resources, World Book Kids, images and sounds, current events, and an online version of the World Book Dictionary.