Children’s Resources

The Children’s Department has a wealth of online resources to help with homework or just have fun! Below you’ll find a list of databases for research, fun online resources that will let you read books online, download free music or eBooks, and helpful resources for parents.

Research Databases

The Goodnow Library offers a variety of databases where you can find information on a number of topics. Please note that using these databases outside of the library may require you to enter your library card bar code number here for access.

A to Z in the USA

A to Z Information for U.S. States and Territories, perfect for geography projects.

Biography in Context

Biographies of over 500,000 influential individuals with multimedia content, featured content, news from various outlets, all in a user-friendly experience. Search for people based on name, occupation, nationality, ethnicity, and more.

Britannica Encyclopedia School Edition

Instant access to four complete encyclopedias and other resources that ensure consistency with classroom topics and age-appropriate language. Offers high-quality online learning materials that have been developed by teachers and curriculum experts, and is designed for all levels of learning from elementary school through high school.

Britannica Encyclopedia Public Library Edition for Kids

Contains Compton’s Encyclopedia, Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia, and a wealth of other age-appropriate material for younger students and children.

Britannica Learning Zone (early childhood)

Classroom-tested, interactive learning environment that gives early learners enjoyable, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities to help grow their minds, their spirits, and their intellectual horizons. Ideal for kids grade Level PreK-5.

Infotrac Junior Edition

Designed for 5th grade through middle school students, this online database includes mainly full-text magazines, newspapers and reference books covering current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, sports and more.

Kids InfoBits

Targets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Features a developmentally appropriate and visual graphic interface, a subject-based topic tree search and full-text, age-appropriate, curriculum-related magazine and reference content.

Mango Languages

Designed to equip you with conversational abilities from the very start. Whether you’re learning how to order a pizza or ask when the game starts, Mango immerses you in real, everyday conversations in a wide variety of foreign languages. It also features ESL instruction in English, tailored for speakers of more than a dozen languages.

Science In Context

Provides topic overviews, experiments, biographies, pictures and illustrations, as well as articles from over 200 magazines and academic journals and links to quality web sites.

U.S. History in Context

Provides information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in U.S. History. Access content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, images, videos, audio files and links to websites organized into a user-friendly experience.

World Book Early World of Learning

Premier online resource for preschoolers and children in the early elementary grades. Developed with experts on early childhood education, it offers rich resources designed for easy integration into the classroom curriculum.

World History in Context

Information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in World History. Access content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, images, videos, audio files and links to websites organized into a user-friendly experience.

Fun Online Resources

Tumblebooks

Online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading in a format they’ll love!

Minuteman Digital Catalog (eBooks and eAudio Books)

Use your library card to download eAudio and eBooks to your computer and compatible portable device. Now supporting iPod and more!

Additional Websites

In addition to our databases, we suggest these websites for homework and science fair help:

Funology/Science Experiments

Offers ideas you can use to inspire and entertain your kids online.

Homework Spot, Science Fair

Homework information portal that features the K-12 homework-related sites bringing the best resources for English, math, science, history, art, music, technology, foreign language, college prep, health, life skills, extracurricular activities and much more.