Research Databases
The databases below are excellent resources for both high quality academic research as well as non-fiction topical reading. Students may access the databases from home as well as from school. Passwords may be required for remote access to some databases which can be obtained by emailing the school librarians.
All Purpose Reference
Research in Context HS provides reference, periodical, and multimedia content supporting national and state curriculum standards for secondary students grades 9 - 12 in language arts, social studies, and science.
Research in Context MS is appropriate for grades 7 - 10, and explores the most-studied topics including cultures, government, people, history, literature, and more.
Explora is a database that goes beyond reference material to include articles, essays and primary source documents from multiple sources. A good place to start for preliminary research.
Gale Virtual Library offers more than 7,000 authoritative, full-text titles (from Gale and a host of premier publishing partners) within 18 subject areas.
ResearchIT CT is Connecticut's RE-search engine, with access to millions of newspaper and magazine articles, photos, and journals for free.
World Book Online is an online encyclopedia offers high quality reference articles and more...maps, news, educator tools, student activities, dictionary, etc.
Arts & Humanities
Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas contains a comprehensive and authoritative collection of information on popular culture in America and the world, both past and present.
Referencia Latina is a comprehensive Spanish-language database offers content from a variety of sources including encyclopedia entries, images, an atlas, health reports, a Spanish-English dictionary and full text for reference books and general interest magazines in a broad array of subject areas.
Controversial Issues
Opposing Viewpoints is a rich resource with pro/con viewpoints that cover today's hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana.
Health
MedlinePlus is developed by the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health for consumers needing health information.
Newspapers
ResearchIT CT Newsstand Search the Hartford Courant, Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post separately or all-in-one. In addition, this database also includes the National Newspapers Core database and the Hartford Courant historical editions.
Social Studies
African American Experience encompasses the contributions of individuals from the African American community who have achieved prominence in the arts, entertainment, the sciences, business, the military, and politics as well as nameless others who endured slavery and institutionalized discrimination.
American History investigates the people, events, and stories of our nation's evolution, from the explorers of the Americas, to the issues of today's headlines.
History Reference Center includes full text for more than 200 leading history periodicals, covering wide-ranging topics such as Ancient civilizations, global military and cultural histories.
Modern World History covers a broad range of topics in depth--the evolution of modern Europe since the Renaissance; concurrent developments in Asia, Africa, and the Islamic World; the global impact of the Industrial Revolution; and the last 100 years of international conflict and cooperation.
Science
Science Reference Center includes biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, health and medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science and society, science as inquiry, scientists, technology and wildlife.