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The Calcasieu Parish Public library provides you with online access to databases containing information for all. Access articles from thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, and other reference materials; plus biographies, reports, pamphlets, national and international issues, plus so much more. (A library card is required to access many of these resources outside of the library.)

  • Digital Library Collection--digital library collection of audiobooks, videos, and music; choose your own lending period; automatic return to collection;  compatible devices: Sony Reader, The Nook, Pandigital and Kobo.
    The LSW digital library collection is shared by the following parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, and Vernon. All titles in the collection are available to all library card holders in these parishes.
    Tips, Tricks, and Device Information

  • African American Heritage--" a digital resource exclusively devoted to African American family history research providing users a dedicated resource that not only brings together records critical to African American family research but connects them to a community of research experts."
  • African American Heritage (remote access)

  • American Press ePaper (inside library)--read the current issue, weekly issues, and archives; (format available for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch users)

  • Ancestry Library Edition (inside library)--consumer online genealogy resource

  • AudioBookCloud (Kids/Teens)--audio book collection of 1,000 titles in various categories: fiction, non-fiction, new books, children, classics, and Spanish language
  • Biography in Context--"current and historic biographies; full-text articles from magazines and newspapers; images and links to websites; various search options included";
  • Biography & Genealogy Master Index--"locate biographical entries contained in more than 1,000 volumes and editions of important current and retrospective biographical reference sources."
  • Book News---signup to read current newsletters via email
  • Books and Authors--"bringing readers and literature together by exploring genre fiction and essential non-fiction fun with read-alikes, author book titles, biographies, and more"

  • Chronicle Guidance (inside library)--"information on more than 2,000 occupational titles, including 650 comprehensive occupational descriptions, ranging from those that require a high school diploma or less, through professional careers
  • Dictionary of Literary Biography (Gale)---"16,000+ biographical and critical essays on the lives, works, and careers of the world's most influential literary figures from all eras and genres."

  • eBooks for Research (Gale Virtual Reference Library)--"database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research"

  • Encyclopaedia Britannica (inside library)--online edition
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica (Kids) (inside library)--Geography Explorer, Animal Kingdom, & Country Comparisons
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica (remote access)

  • Freegal--download free DRM music from Sony Music tracks; MP3 format (limit of 10 downloads per person per week with a weekly system-wide limit for 235 weekly)
  • Gale Literary Criticism---"centuries of analysis; the scholarly and popular commentary from broadsheets, pamphlets, encyclopedias, books and periodicals delivered in an easy-to-use 24/7 online format that matches the exact look and feel of the print originals."

  • Global Road Warrior--"ultimate guide to the world; research for international trade, research for country reports, and planning international travel."

  • HeritageQuest (inside library)--information to expand your family tree search
  • HeritageQuest (remote access)

  • Historic Map Works--"The core of the collection consists of land ownership (cadastral) maps illustrating the geographic and developmental history of the United States. This unique content allows users to track the "residential genealogy" of families and locations."
  • Historic Map Works (remote access)

  • Historical Newspapers (inside library)--"contains tens of millions of searchable newspaper pages, dating as far back as the 1700s"

  • iBistro: Online Library Catalog---search for library material, place holds, check library account, and more

  • JOBView---search thousands of jobs (specific to Louisiana or nationwide); print, email, or even text the descriptions, and even link to the online application

  • LegalForms--the do-it-yourself resource for legal assistance; forms specific to Louisiana and Texas

  • Library Elf---manage your library account and receive notifications via email or text messaging; track multiple accounts

  • Mango Languages---"an online language-learning system teaching actual conversation skills for a wide variety of languages"
    How Mango Works video

  • Online Book Club--signup for a free book club and receive a 5-minute portion of the book; by the end of the week, you'll have read one chapter.

  • Scribner's Writers Series (Gale)---"essays on more than 2,000 authors and literary genres drawn from the acclaimed Scribner print series."

  • Something about the Author (Gale)---"examining the lives and works of authors and illustrators for children and young adults and is the preeminent source on authors and literature for young people."

  • Tumblebooks---ebook for kids; includes games/quizzes

  • TumbleReadables: read-along titles for elementary, middle school, and high school students 

  • The Twayne's Author Series--Twayne World, English, and US Authors (Gale)--"600 full-text titles from the Twayne Literary Masters series, 200 each from Twayne World, US, and English Authors."

State Library Online Resources--"a collection of online subscription databases covering the widest range of informational needs, providing educational and research materials; includes ILL: Loanshark/Patron Interlibrary Loan"
NOTE: Library card required for remote access. Please click the LOGIN button once the library card is entered. Please view the database vendor policies page for the use disclaimer.

  • Auto Repair Reference Center
  • Business Searching Interface
  • Career Cruising
  • Consumer Health Complete
  • EBSCOhost and EBSCOhost Mobile
    EbscoHOST (full text magazine/newspaper articles, images, and access to Consumer Reports issues); mobile access app
  • Gale Literature for Students Online
  • Learning Express--online practice tests/study manuals for college prep, job searches, and more
  • Newsbank--full text backfiles of Louisiana and national newspapers
  • USA.gov--US Government's official web portal (Free Resources tab)
  • GPO Access--US Government Printing Office homepage (Free Resources tab)
  • Literary Reference Center
  • LoanSHARK--union catalog for all Louisiana public libraries (Free Resources tab)
  • LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network--union catalog of Louisiana academic libraries (Free Resources tab)
  • Lousiana Jobs and Career Center--resources for those seeking new careers, changing jobs, needing a little extra help preparing for the job market, online one-on-one tutoring and access to free workforce development classes.
  • Louisiana Go Local--health services across Louisiana (provided by the National Library of Medicine)
  • Teen Health and Wellness: visit iTunes store for Teen Hotlines for iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad.
  • Homework Louisiana--access to the program is limited to after-school hours at home or in the library