• Library Catalog
• Online Research

FirstSearch
Find articles in academic and professional magazines and journals on specialized topics. Full text is not available, but the library can usually get a copy of an article in a few days. (Complex or out-of-state requests may involve a small fee.) Also includes WorldCat, a national catalog of books, audiovisual items, and other materials in libraries of all types.

Newsbank
Find current and archived articles on issues, events, people, and government with this full-text search of the Chicago Tribune (1985-Current), Chicago Tribune Redeye Edition (10/25/02-Current), and the Chicago Sun-Times (1986-Current). Also includes America’s News Magazines, providing articles from familiar magazines such as Newsweek, Time, U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, and Foreign Affairs. Coverage includes news, business, science, technology and sports.

Forest Park Review: (in-library use only) Covers the years 1917- present. Not indexed.

SWAN
The Online Catalog of the Metropolitan Library System. Search the holdings of Forest Park Public Library and surrounding area libraries that share our catalog.

Oak Park Library’s Catalog

I-Share
Search the catalogs of 65 college libraries in Illinois.

WorldCat
A national catalog that includes over 57 million books, recordings, and audiovisual items in libraries of all types. Many of the items can be obtained for Forest Park Public Library cardholders through Interlibrary Loan.

Gale Virtual Reference Library
This tool provides access to hundreds of reference books on virtually any subject--including health, science, art, history, biography and many more--just like the books you'd find on the library shelves. A simple search can find a wide range of information, while advanced users can narrow their search to find specific facts. You can even generate a bibliography entry automatically. If you're having trouble finding what you need, these search tips (PDF) may help.

Facts On File
Includes full text of the World News Digest and explores more than 800 hot topics in business, politics, government, education, and popular culture.

Biography Resource Center
Biographical coverage for individuals in literature, science, business, entertainment, politics, sports, government, history, and the arts.

Contemporary Authors
Biographical information on authors with full-text articles.

Consumers’ Checkbook (in-library use only)
Just like Consumer Reports, only Chicago-specific. Find the best Chicago-area auto repair shops, electricians, long distance phone services, hotel rates, dentists, health clubs, cell phone services, and more!

ReferenceUSA
Includes a business database of over 12 million U.S. businesses and a residential database of over 100 million U.S. residential telephone numbers & addresses. A great resource for marketing or job searches.

Illinois Public Records
Find information about New Homeowners, New Businesses, Foreclosures & Auctions, and Bankruptcies in Illinois.

Learning Express Library
Interactive test-prep, career and skills development materials for ESL, GED, ACT, postal worker, ASVAB, resume & cover letter writing, computer skills and more. Scoring is done online and you can work at your own pace.

ERIC
Journal articles and reports in education.

Mango Languages
Using a combination of audio clips and written text, Mango immerses you in real, everyday conversations in 12 different language courses. Learn online, at your own pace.

NoveList Plus
A fiction database for readers of all ages and reading interests that provides reviews, annotations, and much more. Readers will find feature articles, Best Fiction and Author Read-Alike lists, links to authors' websites, and book discussion guides. The new, expanded service now includes non-fiction titles as well!

NoveList Plus for Kids
Find fiction and non-fiction titles that are popular with young readers.

Contemporary Authors
An excellent student source for classroom research, homework and reports, as well as a great source for book clubs and general information on favorite authors.

CultureGrams
Information on the cultures, geography and history of 190 countries, including maps, statistics and color photos. Username: fppl. Password: the first 5 digits on the back of your library card.

Facts On File
Includes full text of the World News Digest and explores more than 800 hot topics in business, politics, government, education, and popular culture.

NoveList Plus for Kids
Find fiction and non-fiction titles that are popular with young readers.

Kids InfoBits
Designed to help elementary school students with the research process. It includes magazines, newspapers, and reference books on a wide range of topics.

Biography Resource Center
Biographical coverage for individuals in literature, science, business, entertainment, politics, sports, government, history, and the arts.

Contemporary Authors
Biographical information on authors with full-text articles.

Ancestry Library Edition (in-library use only)
Provides access to a number of genealogical and historical resources, including images of the decennial U.S. census from 1790-1930.

HeritageQuest Online
Genealogy information including 25,000 family and local history books, the entire U.S. Federal Census, PERSI (a comprehensive subject index covering more than 6,500 genealogy and local history periodicals), and other expanding collections.

Illinois Public Records
Find information about New Homeowners, New Businesses, Foreclosures & Auctions, and Bankruptcies in Illinois.