Books & Authors
BiblioBoard
Illinois residents have access to thousands of e-resources free of charge & no library card is required. Enjoy ebooks, images & videos – the collection includes classic fiction, children’s fiction, graphic novels, Chicago authors and much more. Download the BiblioBoard app (from the iTunes app store for iOS or from the Google Play Store for Android). Create an account profile and be able to access the collections while outside of Illinois. You will also have the ability to download content for offline reading, and to add bookmarks and notes.
Book Index with Reviews
Information on over 5 million book titles from publications including Library Journal, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and others.
BookBrowse
An online magazine for booklovers - including reviews, previews, "behind the book" backstories, author interviews, reading guides, and much more. Sign up here for the BookBrowse newsletter.
BookPage
Find expert book recommendations for the best books to read in all genres. Free access to current and prior issues. To sign up to receive reading recommendations in your favorite genres, click here
ComicsPlus - Full Collection
Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; on your computer, tablet, or phone. No holds. No wait lists. No limits. Children's, Teen, Young Adult & Adult content. Select Des Plaines Public Library and create an account to get started. Age Guidelines How To Navigate ComicsPlus
Contemporary Authors
Entries on thousands of authors with full text articles.
inkie.org
A suite of resources available to everyone in Illinois at no charge. It offers local authors and creators an outlet to format and publish their books and provides access to self-published materials.
LibraryAware Newsletters
Sign up for LibraryAware newsletters on your favorite genre or topic and get new book suggestions delivered directly to your inbox.
Literary Reference Source
Full-text literary database covering all genres and time periods. It includes thousands of synopses, critical essays, book reviews, literary journals and author biographies, plus full-text classic novels, short stories and poems.
Literature - Search Modern Novelists, Poems, Short Stories & more
A collection of eBooks and other resources on literature and literary criticism. From Gale Cengage Learning.
Literature Criticism - Gale eBooks
Resources on a variety of topics in literary criticism and individual works.
NoveList Plus
Helps you find new fiction and nonfiction books to read by searching favorite authors, titles, subjects, and genres.
WorldCat
Millions of library records in over 400 languages. Use for interlibrary loans – Des Plaines cardholders only.
WorldCat.org
Instant access to the WorldCat catalog, which searches libraries across the country & beyond. Find books, music, videos and more and then locate them in a library nearby.