Amherst Town Library provides the following subscription databases for use by library patrons. For access at home, simply enter your library card barcode when prompted.

Scroll down for a description of each database or a quick tutorial.

Please contact us if you have difficulty gaining access to any of the databases.

Academic Search Premier A collection of active full text peer-reviewed journals covering biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, psychology, and religion & theology.

America the Beautiful Authoritative information on the 50 states and U.S. territories, including essays on their history, geography, economy, government, culture, major cities, photos, interactive maps, and audio slide shows. Other features include essays on each of the U.S. presidents; articles on dozens of Native American tribes; biographies of New World explorers; articles on famous places and natural wonders; timelines of U.S. and world history and U.S. achievements in science, the arts, and literature; an array of educational games and puzzles relating to American history; and an Almanac that brings together the statistics about each state into a single reference tool.

American History Online

America's GenealogyBank Access millions of U.S. genealogical records from 1652 to the present day. Find and browse digital images of American historical genealogies, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements, casualty lists, military and government documents and other essential primary sources. Also includes full text of modern U.S. newspaper obituaries and enhanced Social Security Death Index records.

America's Historical Newspapers A compilation of more than 1,000 digitized U.S. historical newspapers published between 1690 and 1922, ranging from early colonial publications to regional weekly and metropolitan daily newspapers to the specialized press. Created through partnerships with the American Antiquarian Society and the Library of Congress.

Ancestry Library Edition *(Available in library only) A subscription genealogical database powered by ancestry.com which provides instant access to over 1.5 billion names, access to immigration records, city directories, census records, the Social Security Death Index and much more. New information is added daily.

Auto Repair Reference Center
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Includes automotive repair information supplied by Point 5 Technologies, Inc., under license from Nichols Publishing, the former publisher of Chilton® Information and information from Delphi Integrated Service Solutions. Auto Repair Reference Center contains information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles, with repair information for most vintage makes starting as far back as 1945. Database content includes approximately 26,000 vehicles covered from 1945 to present; over 150,000 factory drawings and step-by-step photographs; approximately 70,000 technical service bulletins & recalls issued by the original equipment vehicle manufacturer; over 100,000 enhanced wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing; specifications & maintenance schedules; Labor Time Guide & Estimator; Quick Tips, a complete guide to vehicle ownership & maintenance; and much more.

Biography in Context This is a one-stop biographical research system that incorporates simple search functionality with an exhaustive database. Recently upgraded, it contains more than 500,000 biographies on nearly 275,000 people.  In addition to traditional reference source material, the database includes video, audio, and podcasts.

BookBrowse Reviews, recommendations, author bios and interviews, resources for book clubs, and much more.

Business Insights: EssentialsThis is the ideal resource to learn more than just the basic information on any given company or industry. Research global business information, case studies, competitive intelligence, and career & investment opportunities. It allows searches of individual companies and supports research that compares companies within the context of their peers and industry.

Business Source Premier
Provides comprehensive coverage in all disciplines of business, including marketing, management, MIS, POM, accounting, banking, finance, etc. Additional full text, non-journal content includes market research reports, industry reports, country reports, company profiles and SWOT analyses.

Business Source Premier is also searchable through the Business Searching Interface. This business specific interface provides business researchers with the highly-refined tools that they need in order to conduct sophisticated searches for the business content that they require.
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Consumer Health Complete is designed to support patients' information needs with content covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. This full text database covers topics such as aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs & alcohol, fitness, nutrition & dietetics, children's health, men & women's health, etc. Information provided in this database should not be viewed as a means for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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Encyclopedia Americana provides comprehensive coverage for in-depth research. Articles are contributed by specialists in their respective disciplines and cover all academic fields and curriculum topics. Also features frequently consulted biographies and includes articles from Americana Journal with photos from the Associated Press. "Editor's Picks" feature current topics with selected reading and website links.

ERIC The Educational Resource Information Center, provides access to education literature and resources. The database provides access to information from journals included in the Current Index of Journals in Education and Resources in Education Index. ERIC provides full text of more than 2,200 digests along with references for additional information and citations and abstracts from over 1,000 educational and education-related journals.

Filmakers Library Online Provides award-winning documentaries with relevance across the curriculum—race and gender studies, human rights, globalization and global studies, multiculturalism, international relations, criminal justice, the environment, bioethics, health, political science and current events, psychology, arts, literature, and more. It presents points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.

Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia Easy-to-read encyclopedic entries written specifically for kids.

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia is a quick reference tool with text and graphics that will appeal to a wide audience. Search articles by word or browse subject categories. Includes Timelines, from 6000 BC to AD 2000, arranged by themes (such as "Novel in Europe and the Americans, 1830-1914" or "Scientific Thought, 1830-1920"). Brain Jam is an electronic magazine that presents interesting monthly features, news items, an event planner, quizzes and an archive of past features. The News section looks at five major news stories every week and the Research Starters provide introductory essays about selected topics with links to further information within the encyclopedia, and suggestions for research questions. Also included are maps, photos, tables, videos, and teacher's resources.

Grolier Online Kids provides simple searching, age-appropriate current events and easy navigation for younger students into a core database collection including: The New Book of Knowledge, Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana, The New Book of Popular Science, Lands and Peoples, and American the Beautiful. Also includes an interactive atlas, dictionaries, thesauri, biographies, and science projects.

Grolier Online Passport provides a sophisticated starting point for older students and adults with more advanced search features, in-depth current-events from sources like the Associated Press, access to worldwide news sources, and Pro/Con debates aimed at promoting higher-level critical thinking skills. Includes The New Book of Knowledge, Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana, The New Book of Popular Science, Lands and Peoples, and American the Beautiful. Also includes an interactive atlas, dictionaries, thesauri, biographies, and science projects.

Heritage Quest A powerful online library which researches family history and American culture through original page images and indexes. Search US Census records from 1790-1930 or find information described in over 25,000 family & local histories.

Issues and Controversies

Lands and Peoples is an encyclopedia of countries, cultures, and current international events. It includes articles on the continents and countries of the world with flags, color photos, and pre-screened Internet links. The "Global News Desk" features a weekly spotlight on three current-event stories. "Culture Cross" allows direct on-screen comparisons between countries, "Passport to Fun" includes games, puzzles, quizzes, and brainteasers, and the "Almanac" has dozens of tables, listings, and statistics.

Learning Express Library is an online database to test preparation in basic skills and career advancement. Includes practice tests for: academic, advanced placement, basic skills success, civil service, college preparation, cosmotology, EMS, ESL (Spanish) skills improvment courses, firefighter, GED, graduate school entrance, law enforment, military, real estate, skills improvment courses, teacher certification, technical and career college, and US citizenship.Take a practice test anywhere you can access the internet! Computer Skills Product Sheet

Literary Reference Center combines information from major respected reference works, books, and literary journals. It contains plot summaries, synopses and work overviews, literary criticism, author biographies and interviews, book reviews, poems, short stories, full text of more than 7,500 classic novels, and more. Also includes more than 500 books from the Bloom Series and Masterplots.

MAS Ultra: School Edition Contains full text for popular, high school magazines, biographies, primary source documents, pamphlets, reference books, and an Image Collection of photos, maps & flags. Also includes the Our States reference book series from Great Neck Publishing, a collection of 54 titles on each of the states, commonwealths and territories in the United States. This comprehensive series has carefully-written, in-depth articles covering each state's history, and includes information on the economy, geography, natural resources, wildlife, state flags and landmarks. Biographies on each state's governors, senators and representatives, as well as other leaders are also included.

MasterFILE Premier Contains full text for more than 1,900 periodicals covering general reference, business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues and much more. This database also contains full text for reference books, biographies, primary source documents, and an Image Collection of photos, maps & flags.

Middle Search Plus Contains full text for popular, middle school magazines, biographies, historical essays and student pamphlets. Additionally, Middle Search Plus contains primary source documents including Essential Documents in American History, reference books including the Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia and American Heritage Dictionary, the Encyclopedia of Animals, and an Image Collection of photos, maps and flags. Also includes the Our States reference book series from Great Neck Publishing, a collection of 54 titles on each of the states, commonwealths and territories in the United States. This comprehensive series has carefully-written, in-depth articles covering each state's history, and includes information on the economy, geography, natural resources, wildlife, state flags and landmarks. Biographies on each state's governors, senators and representatives, as well as other leaders are also included.

Middle Search Plus is also searchable through the Student Research Center, Kids Search, and Searchasaurus interfaces.

Morningstar Investment Research Center provides data on over 14,500 stocks, 24,800 mutual funds, 1,500 exchange-traded funds, and 700 closed end funds. Also provided are analyst reports on over 3,500 securities, offering in-depth background and analyst opinions on top investments.

Muzzy Online
This award-winning language program from the BBC is now available online! Available languages include English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Portugese and Russian.


Nashua Telegraph Presents complete full text content of local and regional news, including community events, school politics, government policies, cultural activities, local & state commerce and people in the community. Paid advertisements are excluded.

New Book of Knowledge provides reference and current events for grades 3 and up. Students can search or browse encyclopedia articles alphabetically or by subject. Also includes projects and experiments, a world history timeline, educational games, and recommended websites.

New Book of Popular Science is a science encyclopedia geared to student readers with up to date, interactive articles on science, technology, and
medical topics. Entries include full-color photos, detailed scientific artwork and technical illustrations, maps, and bibliographies. Also included are science-inspired games and puzzles, conversion tables and charts, recommended websites, and a Teacher's Guide.

Newsbank Complete full text of the Concord Monitor, Nashua Telegraph, and Union Leader & NH Sunday News. Also includes special reports and article collections on current events. Updated daily.

Newspaper Source provides cover-to-cover full text for 20 national (U.S.) & international newspapers, including The Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Times (London), and the Toronto Star. The database also contains selected full text for more than 230 regional (U.S.) newspapers, including The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, The Miami Herald, Daily News (New York), and the San Jose Mercury News. In addition, full text television & radio news transcripts are provided from CBS News, FOX News, and NPR.

Newspaper Source is also searchable through the Student Research Center, Kids Search, and Searchasaurus interfaces.

Novelist & NoveList K-8 let you to use your favorite author to link to other books you might enjoy. You can also "describe a plot" and review books that meet the description. Novelist also provides annotated book lists, reviews, author "read alikes" and websites, book discussion guides, and more. Updated monthly.

Primary Search contains full text for popular, elementary school magazines and student pamphlets. Includes the Encyclopedia of Animals, Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia, the American Heritage Children's Dictionary, and an Image Collection.

Primary Search is also searchable through the Kids Search, and Searchasaurus interfaces.

Professional Development Collection Intended for professional educators, school library media specialists, and educations researchers. Includes all major library periodicals and the most commonly requested education journals such as Education Digest, Reading Teacher, and School Library Journal.

ProQuest News & Magazines provides access to a wide range of popular topics such as the arts, business, health, sciences, and humanities. The database combines high-demand magazines and journals with a newspaper package that includes The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Boston Globe and USA Today.

ReferenceUSA Provides current directory information on 120 million U.S. residential households and 12 million businesses nationwide.  Market research can done by company name, geographical area, SIC code, business size, and yellow page heading.  Customized lists of companies can be produced.

Regional Business News provides comprehensive full text for more than 50 regional business publications (including titles from Crain Communications). Updated daily.

Science Online provides a comprehensive, authoritative overview a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, illustrations,
images, biographies, experiments, and activities.

TopicSearch Great for issue-based research and current events. This full text database allows students to explore social, political & economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics, including controversial opinions and viewpoints. Contains articles from periodicals, international and regional newspapers, biographies, public opinion polls, book reviews, pamphlets, government information and EBSCO's Current Issues database.

TopicSearch is also searchable through the Student Research Center, Kids Search, and Searchasaurus interfaces.