Databases

Check out ABC Mouse for award-winning educational games, puzzles, books and other fun interactive learning activities for kids age 2 to 6. It’s free to use in the Ames Public Library! In Library Use Only

Academic OneFile offers access to millions of peer-reviewed, full text articles for a variety of academic subjects.

Search local job fairs, companies in the news, state and national business, economic and employment trends. Find diverse perspectives on topics related to job searching, consumer spending and the housing market. Updated daily. 

Browse and search archived copies of Ames' local newspaper going back to 1877. 

ProQuest has partnered with Ancestry.com to create Ancestry Library, one of the most important genealogical collections available today with unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom. Its valuable content is a strong complement to HeritageQuest Online. In Library Use Only

Now temporarily available for access outside the library until December! Click here, select 'Login required-click here,' enter your username and PIN, and select Ancestry Library Edition to start researching.

This engaging resource for children in grades PreK–3 will help early readers develop and practice essential reading skills, and introduces them to a world of knowledge and exploration.

Stuck on a tough homework assignment? Looking for test prep resources? Brainfuse offers virtual live tutoring, a 24-hour writing assignment review, study groups, flashcards, and can even help create a study plan. Find test prep for college entrance exams and ASVAB. Adult learners will find tutoring and study guides just for adults, as well as computer training courses, and study guides for the U.S. Citizenship Test, TABE, TOEFL, GED, and more. 

Looking for your dream job? Start here with free expert online resources including Resume Lab for virtual resume review services, and daily virtual live job coaching. Special services for veterans include Veteran Navigator to connect veterans to VA services and community resources, and a focus on transitioning from military to civilian careers. Connect to adult learning resources like live virtual tutoring, computer training courses, and study guides for college entrance exams.

Browse, borrow, and enjoy e-audiobooks, e-books, and videos on your computer or tablet. 

Conduct research, complete school assignments, work on special projects, or explore your interests. Britannica Library includes special sections for children, young adults, and adults. 

This business-focused database lets you easily find information, news, stats, and in-depth reports on companies, industries, and more. 

Get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs. Chilton Library has maintenance and spec tables, step by step service and repair procedures, a labor estimating tool, diagrams, illustrations, and photos for a wide range of vehicles. You can even prep for the ASE test and certification exams. 

Have a major purchase coming up? Feel confident in your decisions after using ConsumerReports.org to check reviews, recommendations, and ratings for everything from food and baby products to cars.

 Create professional-quality resumes in three quick and simple steps online with Cypress Resume builder.

If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, this site has the tools to help tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed. 

This database is a great resource for educators interested in research on topics such as administration, bilingual education, child development, funding, technology, testing, and more through scholarly journals, reports, and educational references.

Discover your family’s story through historical records.​ With Family Search's collection of billions of records, you can piece together your ancestors’ history and bring their stories to life.​

Affiliate Library access in library only.

The images in this unique photo archive are from Farwell T. Brown’s lifetime collection of original photographs, postcards, advertisements, and news articles which chronicle the history of Ames, Iowa. The dates of the photographs range from the 1860s through the 1990s, with the majority from the 1900s through the 1930s. 

FirstSearch is a great place to start if you're looking for a specific book or for full-text articles. You can search for books and e-books at libraries across the world and access millions of full-text, full-image articles from thousands of serials.

Philanthropic research needs? FDO is your best resource. Tap into an ever-growing database of 140,000-plus grantmakers and 14 million-plus grants. In Library Use Only

If you need a quick brush up on your Microsoft Office or other technology skills GCF LearnFree is the place to start. Check out their more than 125 self-paced tutorials for math, career, reading, every day life skills, and more. 

This is your one-stop source for news, magazines, and journal articles on a wide range of academic and general topics. Get access to millions of full-text articles for a wide variety of users.

Check out Health and Wellness Resource Center to find information on a whole host of topics from nutrition, diseases, public health, pregnancy, herbal remedies, and more. There’s access to alternative medicine-focused magazines, journals, newspapers, and over 700 videos. 

Health Reference Center Academic gives you access to medical and professional journals, health and fitness magazines, reference books, and pamphlets on a variety of nursing and allied health topics, perfect for professional research. 

Find ancestors and relatives in the complete set of the U.S. Federal Census Records from 1790-1940. Also find information on people and places in over 25,000 family and local histories.

Download e-audiobooks, graphic novels, e-books, movies, music, and television, all with no holds queue.

Informe Académico proporciona acceso a periódicos y revistas especializadas de lengua española y portuguesa. La base de datos ofrece una amplia gama de contenidos sobre América Latina. 

Get access to newspapers and search by headline, date, newspaper for current and archived articles. 

InfoTrac Student Edition has great resources for high school students doing research on current events, the arts, science, pop culture, health, government, history, sports, and more. 

Stream or download over 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.

Khan Academy's mission is to provide free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere, and they’ve partnered with institutions like NASA and the Museum of Modern Art to do so. Create an account and you'll have access to videos, exercises, and your own learning dashboard as you study at your own pace. 

If you're in grades K-5 and doing research start here! Kids InfoBits is easy to search and has lots of articles and pictures on current events, art, science, health, government, history, sports, and more. 

Life is complicated, Law Depot makes it easier! Choose from hundreds of do-it-yourself legal documents, forms, and contracts for life's big moments.

Little Pim is the fun, easy way for kids ages 0-6 to learn a new language. Come explore with Little Pim, the adorable cartoon panda, as you discover a new language!

Powered by intelligent technology and an adaptive algorithm, Mango empowers you to communicate with confidence, preparing you for uncharted experiences with language and culture. Challenge yourself to discover something new. Start the conversation.

Mometrix eLibrary delivers the most comprehensive list of study guides and practice questions on the market, all at your fingertips, anywhere, anytime you have an internet connection.

Enjoy unlimited Access to NYTimes.com and the New York Times mobile app. All APL card holders may use The New York Times online. When the 72 hour license expires, return to this page to checkout another one. You may renew your license as many times as you like.

NoveList is a fiction database that provides subject heading access, reviews, annotations, and much more for over 120,000 fiction titles. It also includes other content of interest to fiction readers, such as Author Read-alikes, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Feature Articles. 

Opposing Viewpoints is the perfect resource for anyone wanting information on today's hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana. It offers pro/con viewpoints, reference articles, interactive maps, infographics, and more. Informed, differing views help you develop critical-thinking skills and draw your own conclusions.

Check out e-magazines and download them to your computer or mobile device. (If asked for your library, select "Mid-Iowa Magazine.")

Lost your great-aunt's address and need to write her a thank you for that doily she knit you? Looking for an internship? Wondering how many businesses in Iowa have the word Cyclone in their name? ReferenceUSA can help answer those questions and more! 

Middle-schoolers, you have your very own database! Start your online search right here with info on science, social studies, government, history, literature, and more. 

Express yourself in over 100 languages, from Afrikaans to Zulu, with Transparent Language, the scientifically proven method to learning a new language. Flexible learning paths allow you to choose your own adventure in an easy to use interface. Touchscreen friendly with mobile apps for language learning on the go! 

Want a fun, 21st century alternative to print picture books? TumbleBookLibrary has a great interactive collection of stories with sound, music, animation, and narration. Have your favorite book read as you follow along and enjoy the story. Be sure to check out their book of the day!

The Value Line Investment Survey is a comprehensive source of information and advice on approximately 1,700 stocks in 97 industries, the stock market, and the economy. It contains information on 8,000 stocks, 13,000 mutual funds, 80,000 options and other securities. 

Access the Wall Street Journal anywhere! Follow the link to create an account for access for the following three days. After three days simply come back and click the above link and log in as an existing user with the same username and password.