Database List
Database Collections
The Urbandale Public Library subscribes to numerous databases to assist you in your research. You will need a library card to access these databases. If you need to obtain a user ID or password for any of the databases, or you have problems accessing the databases using your library barcode, please contact the reference desk staff at (515) 331-4488.
Start your search here and connect to a world of knowledge at your fingertips.
Articles from Newspapers and Magazines
Consumer Reports – Provides ratings and consumer information on a variety of products. Ask at the reference desk for a staff member to assist with the password. *In-library use only. (http://www.consumerreports.org/)
Des Moines Register full-text – Search the Des Moines Register from 2006 to the present for full-text articles. Users must enter their 14 digit Urbandale Library barcode number from the back of their library card. (Login at http://proquest.umi.com/login)
EbscoHost - Search a number of databases which cover a wide range of topics and contain full-text articles, citations and abstracts from sources such as magazines, journals and newspapers. EbscoHost is also available in a number of languages. This database is accessible from within the library and outside the library with a user ID and password, available by contacting the library. (http://search.ebscohost.com/)
EBSCOhost List of Indexed Titles- An alphabetical listing of the periodicals indexed in the EBSCOhost databases. (http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/databases/ebsco/title-list)
FirstSearch - FirstSearch includes eight databases: WorldCat (a catalog of over 53 million records of books and other materials in OCLC libraries worldwide), ArticleFirst, ERIC, GPO, MEDLINE, PapersFirst, ProceedingsFirst and UnionList. FirstSearch is accessible from within the library and from outside the library with a user name and password, available by contacting the reference desk. (http://firstsearch.oclc.org/fsip)
Address and Telephone Directories
Reference USA – Business and residential telephone and address directories, nationwide. Users must enter their 14 digit Urbandale Library barcode number from the back of their library card. (http://www.referenceusa.com/)
Auto Repair
Auto Repair Reference Center – Car repair information by year, make, and model. Contact the reference desk for user name and password. (http://search.ebscohost.com/)
Biographies
Biography in Context – Discover fascinating facts about world famous people throughout history. For usage outside of the library, users must enter the first 13 digits of their Urbandale Library barcode from the back of their library card. (http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/urbandalepl?db=BIC1)
Genealogy
Ancestry Library Edition – Includes immigration, vital, census, court, military records and more. *In-library use only. (http://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com/)
HeritageQuest (inside of library usage) – Includes images and indexing of the 1790-1930 U. S. federal censuses, 8,000 family histories, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) which covers 6,300 genealogy and history periodicals, and a number of other databases. (http://www.heritagequestonline.com/)
HeritageQuest (outside of library usage) – Use this link when using a computer outside of the library. Users must enter their 14 digit Urbandale Library barcode number from the back of their library card. (http://www.heritagequestonline.com/barcode?aid=13687)
Investment Research
Valueline - This service provides information and advice on stocks and industries. Contact the reference desk for user name and password. (http://www.valueline.com/)
Languages
Mango Languages - Mango is an online language learning system teaching practical conversation skills for real communication. It’s the fast, easy and effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Library card barcode number required for remote access. (http://libraries.mangolanguages.com/urbandale/start)
*To use Mango on your mobile device, click here: http://www.mangolanguages.com/libraries/products-overview/mango-mobile/
Reading Suggestions
Novelist and Novelist K-8 – Advice on good fiction for adults and youth. These databases are accessible from within the library from all public access computers, as well as outside the library with a user ID and password, available by contacting the library. (http://search.ebscohost.com/)
Test Preparation
LearningExpress Library - LearningExpress Library is an interactive online learning platform featuring over 770 practice tests, tutorials, and eBooks related to job search and workplace skills improvement, career certification and licensing exam preparation, college entrance and graduate school admissions exam preparation, GED exam preparation, and basic skills improvement in reading, writing, and math, for all ages. You’ll get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of your results. Library card barcode number required for remote access. (http://www.learningexpresslibrary.com/)
Travel
AtoZ Maps Online – 146,000 maps and supplemental materials, including political, physical, climate change, historic, hurricane, earthquake, animal and plant species distribution, current event, topographic, and weather maps. Also contains NASA Earth Observatory and NASA Animation Maps, more than 14,000 Google Earth® “skins,” U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Maps and more. (http://www.atozmapsonline.com/a-z_maps_online_home.asp?c=urbandale_cilsa)
AtoZ the USA – In-depth e-content in 156 data categories, with 50-plus maps for each state, thousands of U.S. state reports and articles, image collections of flags, vintage postcards, panoramic photos, license plates and more. Map collections offer thousands of modern and antique maps and data on geography, government, history, and society and culture. (http://www.atoztheusa.com/states1.asp?c=urbandale_cilsa)
AtoZ World Culture - Cultures of the World at Your Fingertips. Offers country-by-country culture information on 175 nations and territories and 1,500 country maps. Topics include religion, business culture, historical notes, government, stereotypes, holidays and festivals, and women in culture and business. For those researching cultural information, doing country reports, preparing to travel abroad, or just wanting a good, illuminating read. (http://www.atozworldculture.com/a-z_culture_home.asp?c=urbandale_cilsa)
AtoZ World Travel – Offers tourist and culture information on more than 160 of the top travel destinations in North America and around the globe. Provides town excursions and day trips, major attractions, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and insiders’ tips on navigating the city and culture, health advisories, travel essentials like passport and visa information, and even lists of local embassies and consulates. Also, extensive city maps, currency information, real-time weather reports, and communications information. (http://www.atozworldtravel.com/worldtravel1.asp?c=urbandale_cilsa)
Global Road Warrior – Information on 175 nations and territories. More than 8 million words of editorial, over 6,500 color photos, and 1,575 country maps. For business people doing research for international trade, students working on research for country reports and those planning international travel. (http://www.globalroadwarrior.com/directclient_index2.asp?c=urbandale_cilsa)
