Research & Learning
Research databases, apps, and suggested resources provided by Winding Rivers Library System, the State of Wisconsin, and others. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find tools and resources for youth and students.
Online Databases– Provided by WRLS
Reference Solutions
(Formerly ReferenceUSA)
Search for jobs, research U.S. businesses, create marketing and small business plans, locate specific people and more.
Gale Courses
Hundreds of instructor-led online courses covering everything from health and wellness to creative writing, computer programming, GED test preparation and more. Gale Courses are developed by expert instructors and run for six weeks. Join any time.
Access training tools here.
ECHO
An online archive of historical materials representing western Wisconsin history and culture. This project and collection was made possible through a 2014 Library Services and Technology Act grant.
Creativebug
Enjoy unlimited access to over 1,000 online art and craft classes, plus patterns, templates, and recipes. Topics include art & design, sewing, quilting, paper, knitting, crochet, food & home, jewelry, holiday & party, and classes for kids.
NoveList Plus
Find your next book here with expert reading recommendations and book lists. NoveList Plus includes audiobook recommendations, nonfiction recommendations, and reviews on 70% more titles than in basic NoveList.
Statewide Resources
WISCAT
Can’t find it? Search all Wisconsin library holdings with Wiscat, then contact your library to place a request.
Novelist
A reader’s advisory database of recommendations, author biographies, articles and lists for fiction and nonfiction books.
BadgerLink
Free, completely online resources: Fix your car, read the newspaper, research health and wellness issues, or find videos, articles, and encyclopedia entries about almost anything!
Find training, access, and how-to resources for BadgerLink here.
U.S. Newsstream
U.S. news featuring key national and regional sources including The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Newsday, and Chicago Tribune as well as over 80 Gannett titles. Content is updated daily.
Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary
The largest, most comprehensive American dictionary with more than 700,000 definitions.
History Reference Center
Full-text books, magazines, historical documents, biographies, and multimedia as well as nearly 57,000 historical documents, 40,000 historical photos and maps, and more than 1,990 full-text reference books.
Auto Repair Source
Authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles.
Small Engine Repair Reference Center
Detailed, user-friendly repair guides for all manner of small engines, including those found in watercraft, lawn mowers, motorcycles, and more.
Learning Express Library
Practice tests, exercises, and skill-building courses to help you achieve success at school, at work or in life.
Recursos para Hispanohablantes
Herramientas de aprendizaje, carrera y ciudadanía en español.
A collection of web-based skill building and test preparation materials in Spanish.
Archive of Wisconsin Newspapers
Full-text Wisconsin newspapers from 2005 to 90 days ago, plus newspapers from the 1800s and 1900s.
Newspapers.com
Historical newspapers archive from the 1700s-2000s containing thousands of well-known regional, state, and small local newspapers in the United States and other countries.
HeritageQuest Online
Access genealogical research including all U.S. Federal Census records, family and local histories, and access to PERSI PERiodical Source Index.
Wisconsin Historical Society Family History Records
Family history research records from the Wisconsin Historical Society records available on Ancestry.com.
Consumer Health Complete
A comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. Consumer Health Complete is designed to support patients’ information needs and foster an overall understanding of health-related topics.
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. Find reliable, up-to-date information about diseases, conditions, and wellness topics. This trusted resource is available anytime, anywhere, on any device: https://medlineplus.gov/
En español:
https://medlineplus.gov/espanol/
MEDLINE
MEDLINE provides authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and much more.
Job Seeker Resources
Statewide and online tools for anyone seeking a job or career, skills training, or services/support.
ECHO: Exploring Cultural History Online
A Collection of History and Culture
Winding Rivers Library System has expanded access to unique history materials in local libraries by developing a regional online collection of visual images (photographs and postcards) representing western Wisconsin history and culture. This project and collection is named ECHO: Exploring Cultural History Online and is made possible through a 2014 Library Services and Technology Act grant.
For Youth & Students
BadgerLink
BadgerLink is Wisconsin’s online library. Here you can find everything from videos to newspapers, author interviews, encyclopedias, and more!
Click here for instructions on how to access BadgerLink at home: https://badgerlink.dpi.wi.gov/sites/bl/files/imce/documents/educator_librarian_guide_accessing_badgerlink_at_school_and_home_v1.pdf
TeachingBooks
Bringing books to life!
- Meet authors and illustrators with exclusive movies and recordings
- Experience 12,204 read-along audiobook performances
- Hear authors pronounce and tell the stories of their names
- Enjoy 1,456 complete book readings
- Explore book trailers, Meet-the-Author recordings, and more
- Support assignments about books and author studies
- Find the right book for you (Reader’s Advisory)
Explora
Encyclopedia entries, videos, images, dictionary entries, and more. Appropriate for researchers of all ages.
Novelist K-8
Children’s fiction recommendation resource with read-alikes, discussion guides, reading lists, and more
BadgerLink (By Grade Level)
Making and STEM Resources
CoBuild At Home
The CoBuild website and Facebook group offers a wealth of online maker activities. All ages.
The Community Science Workshop Network
This resource is low in technology, but high in engagement and reliability. All the projects can be made with low cost or recycled materials. Upper elementary through middle school.
Science Friday
Everything from “The Many Types of Mucus” to a “Fossilize Me” card game is available here. Key vocabulary words are bolded, and the clear instructions are written with students in mind. Upper elementary and up.
MakeCode
Microsoft’s MakeCode program includes both physical computing with the Micro Bit and virtual coding and app development. Easy to use with limitless possibilities, it’s a great block coding interface. It even has Minecraft coding! Upper elementary through middle school.
Scratch
Now in partnership with Harvard Graduate School of Education, the site includes an archive of activities for Scratch that includes 323 math activities, 302 visual arts ones, plus examples and stories to help build classroom community and support curricular content. Elementary through middle school.
Code.org
Learn computer science at home. Limited internet and smart phone options too. Elementary through high school.
Recommended Free Language Learning Resources For Kids
Duolingo ABC (Free for Android/iOS)
Designed by education experts to help your child learn to read English – 100% free!
LearnEnglishKids
http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/
This site from the British Council has games, stories, and videos to help native speakers of Chinese, Arabic, Russian, French and Spanish learn English. The site includes resources for parents and teachers.
PBS Kids Wisconsin
https://wisconsin.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/oh-noah/
Oh Noah!, (formerly known as Noah Comprende) is designed to teach Spanish to children ages six to eight through animated videos with embedded games that help build vocabulary. In each video, a misunderstanding launches a comic misadventure.
Cambridge English
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/parents-and-children/