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

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.

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.

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

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

In addition to locating books to read, users can learn more about books and authors through Feature Articles, Book Discussion Guides, and Book Talks.

Oxford Reference Premium is a one-stop shop for reputable information from a well-trusted source. It covers 25 different subject areas, including art & architecture, history, language, law, philosophy, religion, science, and more. Over 260 titles are searchable in one place with new titles added all the time. A great first stop for any research needs. 

Remote access to the site for WCFL users: washcofree / Bgee6Bix

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

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

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.

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. 

Very Short Introductions offer concise introductions to a diverse range of subject areas from Climate to Consciousness, Game Theory to Ancient Warfare, Privacy to Islamic History, Economics to Literary Theory. Since the series was launched it has continued to offer new books each year for students and scholars, and the avidly curious, offering a bridge between reference content and higher academic work. All titles provide intelligent and serious introductions to a huge range of subjects, written by experts in the field who combine facts, analysis, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make challenging topics highly readable.

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.