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Research Databases by Subject
Subject List
- Auto Repair
- Biography
- Books & Literature
- Education & Testing
- Encyclopedias
- History & Genealogy
- Journals, Magazines & Newspapers
- Medicine
- Science & Nature
- Spanish / Español
- Statistics
- Youth
Most of these resources may be accessed from home with your library card. If you aren't a current cardholder, you can apply for a library card online.
By Subject
Auto Repair
Resource for automotive (car and truck) diagnostic and repair information. Access the latest Technical Service Bulletins, and print wiring diagrams. This database also has materials to help prepare for the ASE mechanic certification with test prep quizzes.
Biography
This database combines award-winning biographies from respected Gale Group sources. Biography in Context also includes full-text articles from hundreds of magazines and academic journals. Search for people based on name, or on one or more personal facts such as birth and death year, nationality, ethnicity, occupation or gender, or combine criteria to create a highly-targeted custom search.
Books & Literature
A one-stop source for news, magazine, and academic journal articles on a wide range of topics: business, computers, current events, education, environmental issues, health care, hobbies, law, literature and art, politics, science, social science, sports, technology, travel and many general interest topics. Titles include: Forbes, Time, The New Yorker, Family Handyman, Fodor's City Guides and thousands more. Millions of full-text articles, many with images. Updated daily.
NoveList provides subject searching, reviews, and annotated book lists for over 135,000 fiction titles. Search for titles by subject, reading level, plot elements, or use a favorite author or title to find similar books. Browse lists of books by genre or awards won. Author Read-alikes discuss the appeal of a certain author and suggest other authors with comparable traits.
A fully integrated database containing thousands of encyclopedia articles, primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of over 1,000 magazines, newspapers, over 20,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio and video clips.
Education & Testing
Learning Express Library (LearnATest)
Test preparation materials and interactive practice exams, based on official tests, that will help you improve your scores on academic, civil service, military, and professional licensing and certification exams. Provides immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and individualized analysis of your score.
Over 500 Courses covering subjects including: Computer Training, Personal Finance, How-To, GED Training, Business, Pet and Animal Care, Professional Development, Health Services Training, Music and Painting, And More!
Learn one of 80 foreign languages for free!
Encyclopedias
Britannica School is the go-to site for learning more about any subject—for all grades and all reading abilities—offering thousands of up-to-date, curated, and curriculum-relevant articles, images, videos, audio clips, primary sources, maps, research tools, recommended Websites, and three separate databases—Elementary, Middle, or High.
Escolar is the leading knowledge-building resource that is universally trusted for accurate and age-appropriate content in Spanish.
Concise social, cultural, and political information on countries, U.S. states, and provinces around the world. (Grades 3-12)
Database Edition General reference aggregation of periodical and digital media content with editorial guidance for novice researchers. (Grades 6+)
A self-guided product that supports information literacy, writing, and research skills instruction.(Grades 8+)
A general reference database providing safe, reliable, curriculum-aligned content and features for use by students and educators. (Grades 3-9)
Pros and cons on 360+ (and growing) complex social issues with relevant, credible information that tells the whole story on the major questions of the day. (Grades 6+)
Access the Worldbook Encyclopedia Online
History & Genealogy
Ancestry: Library Edition (in library use only link)
Search thousands of databases of genealogical and historical information, including historical records, family trees, newspaper stories, photos and maps. Provided by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County.
Access from home information on the Discover Your Roots webpage
This resource offers online access to primary source materials covering a vast array of topics of importance to U.S. and California history. You will need your library card to access this database.
This website has information about indigenous tribes in Mexico.
California Missions Collection
Information on the missions of California from Follett's Destiny Discover service.
A fully integrated database containing thousands of encyclopedia articles, primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of over 1,000 magazines, newspapers, over 20,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio and video clips.
Journals, Magazines & Newspapers
A one-stop source for news, magazine, and academic journal articles on a wide range of topics: business, computers, current events, education, environmental issues, health care, hobbies, law, literature and art, politics, science, social science, sports, technology, travel and many general interest topics. Titles include: Forbes, Time, The New Yorker, Family Handyman, Fodor's City Guides and thousands more. Millions of full-text articles, many with images. Updated daily.
To access the New York Times from inside the library: 1. Connect to the library's WiFi 2. Register or Login at nytimes.com/register 3. Enjoy!
To access the New York Times from outside of the library for 72 hours - 1. Click the Redeem button 2. Register or Log In to your account.
Watsonville Historical Newspaper Archive
Digitized copies of Watsonville newspapers spanning 1864-2012. This database is a work in progress, indexing and digitization are still occurring. Newspapers include the Pajaro Valley Times, the Santa Cruz and Pajaro Times, the Pajaronian, the Evening Pajaronian, the Watsonville Morning Sun, and the Register-Pajaronian. If you would like help using this database, please call the library's reference desk at 768-3404.
Medicine
Produced by the National Library of Medicine, brings you reliable and up-to-date information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. Available in Spanish and English.
A fully integrated database containing thousands of encyclopedia articles, primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of over 1,000 magazines, newspapers, over 20,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio and video clips.
Science & Nature
Gale In Context: Environmental Studies
Find trusted, science-based information about the environment and sustainability with Gale In Context: Environmental Studies. Translation and text-to-speech tools make the content accessible to all learners.
Full text digital versions of National Geographic Kids from 2009 to now as well as full text eBooks from the National Geographic Kids Book Collection and Ladders Readers, as well as engaging images and videos on a variety of topics.
Gale Interactive: Science provides engaging, interactive models that bring science to life. While supporting high school curricula and university coursework, Gale Interactive: Science helps students better visualize and understand concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science. Students and instructors can manipulate and explore 3D models that are paired with reference and periodical content for further understanding.
Spanish / Español
Producida por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina, le brinda información confiable y actualizada en todo momento sobre enfermedades, condiciones y bienestar en un lenguaje fácil de leer. Versiones en español e inglés.
Statistics
A one-stop source for news, magazine, and academic journal articles on a wide range of topics: business, computers, current events, education, environmental issues, health care, hobbies, law, literature and art, politics, science, social science, sports, technology, travel and many general interest topics. Titles include: Forbes, Time, The New Yorker, Family Handyman, Fodor's City Guides and thousands more. Millions of full-text articles, many with images. Updated daily.
Youth
California Missions Collection
Information on the missions of California from Follett's Destiny Discover service.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Covering social issues and designed for middle and high school students, this collection includes pro and con viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazine and journal articles, statistical information, and images.
A fully integrated database containing thousands of encyclopedia articles, primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of over 1,000 magazines, newspapers, over 20,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio and video clips.
Access the Worldbook Encyclopedia Online