Detailed information and histories of the 50 states and 5 territories. Includes maps, flags, photos and more.

Biographical and professional information on board certified physicians in 50 specialties and 100 plus subspecialties.

In Library Only

Local, national and international newspapers.

Live one-on-one coaching to improve your computer skills on MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Also includes resumé writing assistance and practice tests for the GED and U.S. Citizenship Test.

Automotive database covering vehicles from 1982 to the present.

In Library Only

Information about animals for elementary students and older.

U.S. states and territories explored through essays, photographs, illustrations, maps, games, and more.

A collection of newspaper obituaries and death notices from newspapers across the country. Obituaries from the Chicago Tribune are now available in Chicago Tribune from ProQuest.

Access to a large number of genealogical and historical databases.

In Library Only

Index of articles (including full-text) in thousands of journals.

Biographical information on people from all walks of life.

Explore a variety of classic video storybooks and related nonfiction eBooks in one of nine learning categories. Also includes Spanish titles and educational games. For grades Pre-K – 3.

Business & Company Resource Center includes company profiles and histories, financial information, industry reports and news and analysis from thousands of periodicals.

Full-text from 1986 to the present.

Full-text from 1985 to the present.

Full-text of the newspaper from 1849–1988.

The Chicago Tribune and the New York Times are now available on digital microfilm. Full image content is available beginning in 2008 (there is a 2–3 month lag before the newspapers appear). The content is browsable but not searchable.

Coverage of major stories from the 1920s through 1984, front pages from 1900–1984. Obituaries and death notices from 1860–1984. Dates are irregular.

Automotive repair information for do-it-yourself people.

Free access to ConsumerReports.org. Find ratings and recommendations on appliances, electronics, cars, travel and more.

Consumer information for the home, cars, health, personal services and more. Includes Chicago Consumers' Checkbook.

Entries on thousands of authors with full-text articles.

Full-text from 1995 to the present.

This collection brings together issues of several local newspapers dating from 1939 to the present. The oldest newspapers were badly damaged by water and mold and are preserved here for historical research.

In Library Only

An online collection of photographs, postcards, letters and more all detailing Des Plaines' rich history. A great tool for doing historical and genealogical research.

This collection brings together telephone directories from Des Plaines and the surrounding communities. The directories are a great tool for doing genealogical and historical research.

In Library Use Only

Full-text from 1995 to 1/15/2009. No longer published.

Contiene información sobre gente, lugares, objetos, acontecimientos e ideas. (Contains information about people, places, objects, events and ideas.)

Includes national, regional, state and local organizations in the U.S.

Live, print and electronic sources of information listed by subject and type of resource (directories, databases, newsletters, indexes, research centers, etc.). Many entries also provide e-mail addresses and URLs for online resources.

Citations and full-text articles from journals and reports on education.

Links to resources related to Illinois. Found in tabs at top of page.

Filmakers Online provides issue-based documentaries and independent films from around the world. Watch in streaming format from your computer or smartphone.

13 databases, including ArticleFirst, ERIC, WorldCat, GPO, MEDLINE, and WorldAlmanac.

Download and keep three MP3 songs per week for free! You can download tracks and store them on your device.

Search Opposing Viewpoints in Context and Gale Virtual Reference Library at the same time using PowerSearch.

Global perspectives on issues of international importance.

Catalog of publications printed by the U.S. government from 1976 to the present.

Articles, pictures, maps, interactive atlas, timelines, dictionary, and thesaurus.

Use 'Find It Fast!' to search all Grolier Online Kids resources at the same time.

FREE online homework help. Expert tutors, available from your library or home computer. All core subjects offered (grades 3-12): math, science, social Studies, writing assistance, English/language arts, and reading assistance.

Census data, local histories, city directories, land and probate records, vital records, Periodical Source Index (PERSI), and more.

A consortium whose membership includes the libraries of each state-supported university, 25 private colleges and universities, five community colleges, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and the Illinois State Library.

Full-text access to Illinois Country Living, Illinois Heritage, Illinois History, Illinois History Teacher, Illinois Issues, Outdoor Illinois and other Illinois-related periodicals.

The library receives several investor newsletters. Many of these may be accessed online, but only while in the library.

Variety of encyclopedias, almanacs, and full-text popular children's magazines organized in a way that is easy for younger students to search. All content is curriculum-related and age-appropriate.

Law Depot provides access to hundreds of legal forms including Powers of Attorney, Living Wills and Lease Agreements. Forms are customizable and state-specific. Users must create an account to use the database.

Free forms for divorce, leases, wills, power of attorney, name changes, leases and more.

News coverage from 1980–today. Information on 43 million companies. Also covers all U.S. and state legal cases. Legal sources only available at the library.

Read or listen to articles from 1,700 newspapers from 92 countries in 48 languages. Newspapers are presented in full-page format with photographs, advertisements, crossword puzzles and cartoons.

Critical and biographical essays on contemporary novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and other creative writers. From Gale’s Contemporary Literary Criticism series.

Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language. It includes instruction for 38 foreign languages and ESL (English as a Second Language) courses for speakers of 15 different languages.

Marquis Biographies Online contains over 1.4 million biographies from Who's Who in America, Who Was Who in America and other Marquis titles on individuals in the arts, history, politics, entertainment, science and more.

Magazine articles, reference works and primary source documents for high school students.

Full text for periodicals covering general reference, business, health, education and science. Links to video files including television shows like the Today Show and Meet the Press. Full text from reference books and more.

Analyzes the most important works in all genres - fiction, short stories, poetry, drama, and nonfiction - throughout history and around the world.

Coverage of all areas of medicine. Produced by the National Library of Medicine.

Consumer health information from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

Free Web site

Suite of information resources that enables in-depth business and financial research.

An archive of corporate and industry related documents covering over 100 countries and industries. Includes annual reports dating back to the early 1900s.

Full text articles and biographies for middle-school students.

Stock and mutual fund research database for the individual investor.

Designed for kids, but fun for adults – Muzzy Online uses challenging games and entertaining stories to teach Spanish, French, English, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Portuguese .

An online catalog listing materials owned by Des Plaines and other public libraries in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Downloadable audiobooks, ebooks and videos. Available with your DPPL card. Play/view items on your computer or see the list of compatible devices. mp3 audiobooks will play on Apple iPods. Quick reference guide.

Encyclopedia articles and activities on science and mathematics.

The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune are now available on digital microfilm. Full image content is available beginning in 2008 (there is a 2–3 month lag before the newspapers appear). The content is browsable but not searchable.

New York Times digitized cover to cover from 1851-2008 (1985-present NYT available in Newspaper Source Plus ).

Full text from hundreds of U.S. and international newspapers including the New York Times.

Helps you find new fiction and nonfiction books to read by searching favorite authors, titles, subjects, and genres.

Helps you find new fiction books to read by searching favorite authors, titles, subjects, and genres. For children in grades K-8.

A collection of digital images, including historical photographs of Des Plaines.

100% full text database includes articles from the following Wilson periodical databases: Art Full Text, Applied Science & Technology Full Text, Biological & Agricultural Index, Education Full Text, General Science Full Text, Humanities Full Text, Index t

Viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to Web sites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.

Information and educational games on over 200 animals especially for K-2 emergent readers.

Full text articles, photos and reference works for elementary school students.

Obituaries from Atlanta Constitution (1868-1922), Boston Globe (1872-1922), Chicago Defender (1921- 1975), Chicago Tribune (1852-1984), Los Angeles Times (1881-1984), New York Times (1851-1994) and Washington Post (1877-1950).

Contains public record data for new businesses, real estate transactions, home foreclosures and bankruptcies in Illinois.

A directory of information on U.S. and Canadian companies, including new businesses. Also has residential listings and a physician/dentist directory.

Information on 650,000 U.S. physicians and dentists.

Regional Business News with daily updates provides full text for regional US and Canadian business publications (including titles from Crain Communications).

Online version of print reference titles: Great Lives from History, Great Events from History and The Decades in America.

Searchasaurus makes it easy for students to search by keyword or by topic to find the most useful search results. Geared to younger students.

Catalog of materials in Illinois libraries.

A comprehensive and current database of media rates and information for a variety of advertising media including radio, TV & cable, newspapers, consumer magazines and direct marketing. In library only.

In Library Only

A collection of animated, talking picture books, puzzles and games. Includes books in Spanish and French.

The latest information on stocks, mutual funds, special situation stocks, options and convertible securities. Research reports from the various Value Line Survey publications may be viewed, printed and downloaded.

Hundreds of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources. Search the entire collection or a particular subject area.

Full-text from 1984 to the present.

Current company and industry information.

Weiss/Street Ratings provide a single source for financial strength ratings and financial planning tools covering insurance, banks, credit unions, mutual funds and stocks.

Lookup words and their meanings.

Multimedia version of the print encyclopedia.

A section within World Book Online with short illustrated articles for younger students.

La Enciclopedia estudiantil hallazgos en línea es una enciclopedia de conocimientos generales. Contiene información sobre gente, lugares, objetos, acontecimientos e ideas. Aprovecha esta enciclopedia para investigar y divertirte.

Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia and four almanacs.

Millions of library records in 400 languages.