Research a Topic
Use our wide variety of print and online resources to do research—stop at the Reference Desk if you need suggestions for sources to use or help getting started.
Most of our databases are available to use outside the Library when you log in using your Lake Forest Library card number. Some databases, such as Ancestry, are for in-library use only.
Databases
Most of our databases are available to use outside the Library when you log in using your Lake Forest Library card number. All databases are available to any patron using the Library's public computers.
Articles, videos, pictures, biographies, and definitions covering all major scientific disciplines.
Articles from 27 popular magazines in recent years, including titles like National Review, The New Yorker, and Popular Science.
Search family histories using census, marriage, birth, death, and military records from North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and more. International records continue to grow.
Go to BIBLIOBOARD then choose from "BiblioBoard Library of Illinois," "biblioboard open access," or "RAILS for Schools."
Download FREE eBooks and eAudiobooks, featuring community-created content, local self-published books, and thousands of other always-available titles. No account needed.
USER GUIDE
AMOUNT
Unlimited with no return period
HOW TO ACCESS
- Download files to read, watch, and listen on your Computer or Mobile device
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "biblioboard" in your app store
Search over 1,000 business and economics journals, and read profiles for the world's 10,000 largest companies.
Full text articles (excluding images) from 1985 to the present. Search historical articles from 1849-1989 in the Historical Chicago Tribune database.
Chicago Tribune articles (including images) from 1849–1989, including obituaries and marriage and birth announcements.
Go to CLOUDLIBRARY
lakeforestlibrary.org/cloud-lib
Borrow FREE eBooks and eAudiobooks. A great source for new and recently published items.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the cloudLibrary app
AMOUNT
5 checkouts at a time
HOW TO ACCESS
- iPhone/iPad
- Android devices
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "cloudlibrary" in your app store
Expert ratings from Consumer Reports magazine, evaluating hundreds of products from appliances to cars to electronics.
Consumer ratings, comments, and advice on repair services, finance, home care, and more in the greater Chicago area.
In the Library: click here.
From Anywhere: click here.
Choose from more than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
Cultural information on other countries in the world and states within the U.S., including videos, recipes, customs, and lifestyles.
DPLA connects people to the riches held within America’s libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural heritage institutions.
Explore free photographs, museum objects, government documents, and so much more!
Allows for simultaneous searching of any combination of EBSCO databases including: BIR Entertainment, Book Index with Reviews, Business Source Elite, Health Source (Academic and Consumer editions), Masterfile Premier, Regional Business News, Fiction Core Collection, and AHFS Consumer Medication Information.
Online Scholarly journal articles from 1995 to present.
Popular and scholarly full text articles from 13 different databases including ERIC and MedLine. Search simultaneously or individually.
Download up to three Sony Music songs each week to your device or computer. Downloads are yours to keep forever.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the Freegal app
AMOUNT
3 downloads per week
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android devices
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "freegal" in your app store
Comprehensive overview of all major areas of science, engineering, technology, math and health science.
Discover literary works, authors and criticisms.
Browse and search digital reference sources. Topics covered: Business, Education, and Science.
The Great Courses are engaging, immersive learning experiences. These college-level courses are presented by exceptional professors chosen for their ability to teach. Hoopla has dozens of TGC eAudiobooks.
The Great Courses are engaging, immersive learning experiences. These college-level courses are presented by exceptional professors chosen for their ability to teach. Kanopy has dozens of TGC videos.
Search consumer health magazines, pamphlets, reference books, and reports.
Search over 500 full text scholarly medical journals.
Genealogical database searching census, military, immigration records and more.
Borrow FREE movies, music, eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics, and TV shows.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the Hoopla app
AMOUNT
10 per month (total for Hoopla plus Hoopla Kids Mode)
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android devices
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Fire TV
- Roku
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "hoopla" in your app store
Enable Kids Mode to only show kid-appropriate content in your browse and search results.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the Hoopla app
AMOUNT
10 per month (total for Hoopla plus Hoopla Kids Mode)
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android devices
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Fire TV
- Roku
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "hoopla" in your app store
Historical articles and photographs related to Lake Forest.
Inkie.org is a suite of free resources that supports local authors with online creation and publishing tools and allows readers to access locally-produced content.
For authors:
- Create an eBook from your manuscript
- Share your eBook through libraries
- Enter your work in the Inkie annual contest
For readers:
Free eBooks on ...
Daily stock market and business news, quotes, mutual fund performance and market analysis.
Kanopy offers a wide range of on-demand streaming videos including selections from the Criterion Collection, foreign films, classic cinema, documentaries, and more. Stream video through the available smartphone or tablet app, or watch in your computer's browser.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the Kanopy app
AMOUNT
10 per month (total for Kanopy plus Kanopy Kids)
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android device
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Fire TV
- Chromecast
- Roku
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "kanopy" in your app store
Go to KANOPY then click GO TO KANOPY KIDS
Free streaming videos ... Just for kids! Kanopy Kids uses Common Sense Media ratings, making it easy for you to decide what's best for your family.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the Kanopy app
AMOUNT
10 per month (total for Kanopy plus Kanopy Kids)
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android device
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Fire TV
- Chromecast
- Roku
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "kanopy" in your app store
Searchable Lake Forester from 1995 to present. See historical editions in the Historical Lake Forester database.
Searchable Lake Forester issues from 1899–1943.
Company and investment information, legal cases, and news stories from hundreds of foreign and domestic sources. Legal Case information available only in the Library.
In the Library: Click here
Outside the Library: Click here
Go to LIBBY
lakeforestlibrary.org/dlil
A vast collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks available to download through the Libby or OverDrive apps or on your computer.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the Libby app
How to Download eBooks to a Kindle
AMOUNT
5 checkouts at a time
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android device
- Kindle
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "libby" or "overdrive" in your app store
Download FREE audiobooks read by volunteers from around the world.
USER GUIDE
AMOUNT
Unlimited
HOW TO ACCESS
- Download audio files and listen on your Computer or Mobile device
- Add audio files to iTunes
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "librivox" in your app store
Video tutorials from the industry leader in technology training on subjects ranging from coding to photography to graphic design.
If you have trouble logging in to Lynda, please call 1.888.33.LYNDA.
Mango Languages is an online language-learning resource teaching actual conversation skills for a wide variety of languages. Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language. Also available as an app for your tablet or smartphone.
Full text and abstracts of magazine and journal articles, as well as reference books and primary source documents.
Information on health topics, drugs, and supplements from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Investment analysis tool including information on mutual funds, stocks, ETFs and screening tools.
Language learning for children. Courses available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
Full text articles (excluding images) from 1980–present. Search historical articles from 1851–2009 in the Historical New York Times database.
New York Times articles (including images) from 1851–2009, including obituaries and marriage and birth announcements.
Sign up for email reading lists in 20 different subjects and genres.
Find fiction and nonfiction recommendations based on your interests and preferences.
Access millions of records from over 2,000 organizations, including books, articles, audio, video, and images.
Sign up to sample a new book from the genre of your choice every week. You'll get an email Monday through Friday with excerpts from the same new book, then you can pick up where you left off with the real book if you liked it.
Go to PROJECT GUTENBERG
gutenberg.org
Download FREE eBooks including the world's great literature, especially older works for which copyright has expired.
USER GUIDE
Project Gutenberg mobile device how-to
AMOUNT
Unlimited
HOW TO ACCESS
- Read in your Computer or Mobile browser
- Download EPUB or MOBI files for your mobile device
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "project gutenberg" in your app store
Download dozens of digital magazines to read on your device or computer.
USER GUIDE
Getting Started with the RBdigital app
AMOUNT
Unlimited
HOW TO ACCESS
- Computer
- iPhone/iPad
- Android device
IS THERE AN APP?
Yes, search for "rbdigital" in your app store
Search public record information such as bankruptcies, foreclosures and auctions, and real estate transactions in Lake and Chicago area counties.
Business directory, residential listings, demographics, and health care listings.
Search business journals, newspapers, and news-wires across the U.S.
Examines the lives and works of authors and illustrators of children's and young adult books.
Search for company and contact info for businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City metropolitan areas.
How to Access:
- You first need to register your Lake Forest Library card. Go to Sorkins and click "Login" in the upper right corner.
- A login popup will appear.
- IMPORTANT: At the bottom of the login popup, click "Register Here!"
- Register with your name and library card.
- You will then be redirected to the login page.
- Log in with your library card number and you are ready to search!
- Once you have registered your library card number, you never have to do it again.
Find business and investment information, including a daily stock price record and printable industry surveys.
In the Library: click here.
For use outside of the Library: click here
Live one-on-one online tutor help for K–12 students in math, science, English, social studies and writing available daily from 2:00–11:00 pm. Adults can receive one-on-one career help, GED prep, and citizenship test prep.
Investment research information including online versions of the Value Line Investment surveys, the mutual fund survey, and more.
In the Library: click here.
Outside the Library: click here.
Articles from 1984 to present (1984–2006 excluding images).
Access financial strength ratings for banks, credit unions, and insurance. Get investment ratings for stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs. Also included is the Customized Medicare Supplement Insurance Buyer's Guide.
Kids, Student, Advanced, Timelines and Discover versions of World Book Encyclopedias. French and Spanish versions available.