Online Resources are the Library’s digital offerings — from genealogical research to streaming movies to learning new skills. They are available for all to use inside the library and most can be accessed by Winchester residents 24/7 from anyplace in the world. Those resources with an asterisk (*) require a library card with Winchester residency for home access. Please note that some resources are indicated as in library use only.
Click here to browse Online Resources A-Z.
Need Help?
Click on the tutorial (where available) for instructions on how to use the resource.
Still having trouble? Contact the Information Services staff at 781-721-7171 x320 or the Children’s Services staff at 781-721-7171 x326.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Where are all the Databases? Up until July 1, 2025, we offered significantly more online resources. The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) provided all public libraries in Massachusetts with access to a variety of database offerings, primarily through Gale. The Trump administration has cut federal funding to the Institute of Museum & Library Services and MLS is unable to continue offering access without federal grants. Here is a statement from MLS with more details.
Online Resources by Subject
JSTOR provides access to scholarly journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in a wide range of disciplines.
LinkedIn Learning*
Choose from thousands of online courses in business, software, technology, and creative skills, taught by recognized industry experts.
Hoopla has an enormous selection of movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, e-books and comics that can be viewed / streamed on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
NoveList*
Looking for your next great read? NoveList Plus is a database of reading recommendations where you can find here to find fiction and non-fiction books and authors based on your reading preferences.
NoveList K-8*
Reading recommendations for kids and teens, covering fiction and non-fiction books for ages 0-8, 9-12, and teens.
OverDrive/Libby
OverDrive is the library's collection of e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines. Titles can be viewd online, via the Libby app on smartphones and tablets, or on other e-reading devices.
WorldCat
The world's largest network of library content.
Morningstar offers comprehensive financial information on stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and investment indexes. Morningstar also has newsletters with investment insights and ideas on mutual funds, stocks, exchange traded funds, and dividends.
Value Line Investment Survey*
Value Line publications cover stocks, mutual funds, options and convertible securities as well as special situation stocks.
Choose from thousands of online courses in business, software, technology, and creative skills, taught by recognized industry experts.
The Boston Consumers’ Checkbook evaluates the quality and prices of local service firms and stores, such as auto repair shops, plumbers, dentists, veterinarians, banks, insurance companies, and many more.
Consumer Reports Online*
Get unbiased ratings and reviews for thousands of products and services, plus in-depth reporting, trusted buying advice, and more!
A comprehensive, multi-subject, online database that provides access to millions of scholarly articles and other resources across a wide range of academic disciplines
Britannica
Search or browse the encyclopedia alphabetically or by subject to find in-depth articles, related websites, video clips, and more.
Britannica Escolar
Una enciclopedia digital en español diseñada para estudiantes más jóvenes, específicamente de 6 a 12 años.
Britannica School Edition
An online resource created by Encyclopedia Britannica for schools, offering age-appropriate content for students from elementary through high school.
JSTOR*
JSTOR provides access to scholarly journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in a wide range of disciplines.
Opposing Viewpoints (Gale)
Brings together all the information that's needed to fully understand an issue: pro and con viewpoint articles, reference articles that provide context, 140 full-text magazines, academic journals, and newspapers, primary source documents, government and organizational statistics, multimedia, including images and podcasts, and links to hand-selected Web sites.
Reference Solutions*
Reference Solutions, formerly known as Reference USA, provides addresses, sales information, executives, for over 16 million verified businesses, and now includes job listings.
Ancestry provides access to billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos and more. Search more than 7,000 databases – which include immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, and maps.
A comprehensive, multi-subject, online database that provides access to millions of scholarly articles and other resources across a wide range of academic disciplines
Britannica
Search or browse the encyclopedia alphabetically or by subject to find in-depth articles, related websites, video clips, and more.
Britannica Escolar
Una enciclopedia digital en español diseñada para estudiantes más jóvenes, específicamente de 6 a 12 años.
Britannica School Edition
An online resource created by Encyclopedia Britannica for schools, offering age-appropriate content for students from elementary through high school.
GoGo Library (Grades 2-5)*
Bringing you the best nonfiction for young readers. With complete libraries from several publishers, GoGo Library has content appropriate for a range of ages and reading abilities.
NoveList K-8*
Reading recommendations for kids and teens, covering fiction and non-fiction books for ages 0-8, 9-12, and teens.
PebbleGo - Animals & Biographies (K-Grade 5)*
Packed with informational articles, ready-made activities, and literacy supports for students of all abilities, it boosts engagement and fosters independent learning.
Scholastic Go!*
Provides reliable content on almost every core-curricula subject through nonfiction texts, world newspapers, photographs, interactive maps (topographical, historical, and current), and videos.
A comprehensive, multi-subject, online database that provides access to millions of scholarly articles and other resources across a wide range of academic disciplines
Black Freedom Database*
Black Freedom features select primary source documents related to critical people and events in African American history.
Infobase eBooks - Ancient & Medieval History*
A collection of eBooks on the topic of life in the ancient and medieval world.
Infobase eBooks - American History
A collection of eBooks covering American history.
JSTOR *
JSTOR provides access to scholarly journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in a wide range of disciplines.
Opposing Viewpoints (Gale)
Brings together all the information that's needed to fully understand an issue: pro and con viewpoint articles, reference articles that provide context, 140 full-text magazines, academic journals, and newspapers, primary source documents, government and organizational statistics, multimedia, including images and podcasts, and links to hand-selected Web sites.
Mango Languages is an online language learning service that prepares learners for realistic conversations in over 70 world languages.
OverDrive is the library's collection of e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines. Titles can be viewd online, via the Libby app on smartphones and tablets, or on other e-reading devices.
Hoopla has an enormous selection of movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, e-books and comics that can be viewed / streamed on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Kanopy*
Kanopy is a video streaming service that offers over 30,000 movies, documentaries, and independent & foreign films.
Naxos Music Library*
Naxos Music Library is a streaming music service, available with your library card, that includes nearly 2.5 million tracks (over 150K discs) to listen to. Primarily "Western Art Music" from the 14th to 21st century, it also includes hundreds of film soundtracks and cast recordings of musicals, as well as content from around the world.
Now you can listen to Naxos on the go with their app. Here are the instructions for setting it up.
America's News (formerly Newsbank)*
The electronic editions of record for local, regional, and national U.S. newspapers as well as full-text content of key international sources. Includes the Winchester Star from 2005-present.
Boston Globe (Proquest) 1981-Current*
Searchable text-only articles (not page reproductions). Does not contain all content found in the published version of the Globe, such as advertisements, charts, classified ads, graphs, most images, and non-staff written items.
Boston Herald (1991 - current)*
Searchable text-only articles (not page reproductions). Does not contain all content found in the published version of the Herald, such as advertisements, charts, classified ads, graphs, most images, and non-staff written items.
Historical New York Times: 1851-1993 (ProQuest) 1851-2019*
NYTimes.com (account required. Current and historical)*
Get 72-hour complimentary access to the digital edition of The New York Times.
US Newsstream (ProQuest)*
U.S. Newsstream enables users to search current and extensive backfiles of U.S. news content and features top newspapers, wires, broadcast transcripts, blogs, and news sites in full-text format. Includes text-only access to the Wall Street Journal (1984 - present) and Washington Post (1987 - present).
Wall Street Journal (1984 - present)*
Searchable text-only articles (not page reproductions). Does not contain all content found in the published version of WSJ, such as advertisements, charts, classified ads, graphs, most images, and non-staff written items.
Washington Post (1987 - 1996)*
Searchable text-only articles (not page reproductions). Does not contain all content found in the published version of the Washington Post, such as advertisements, charts, classified ads, graphs, most images, and non-staff written items.
Washington Post (1996 - present)*
Searchable text-only articles (not page reproductions). Does not contain all content found in the published version of the Washington Post, such as advertisements, charts, classified ads, graphs, most images, and non-staff written items. Blogs (2013 - 2020) and videos (2018 - present) also available.
Winchester Star (1901-1993)
Searchable full-page reproductions of the Winchester Star from January 1901-December 1993.
Winchester Star (2005-2022)*
Text only articles of the Winchester Star from 2005-2022.
Black Freedom features select primary source documents related to critical people and events in African American history.
Contains 175 country guides with 126 content modules each. Topics include culture & society, travel, education, history, holidays and festivals, language, media outlets, music, maps, money, national symbols, and religion.