Online Resources

Ancestry Library Edition »
The world's most popular consumer online genealogy resource is available to use in Maine public libraries. This collection holds billions of records in census data, photos, directories, vital records, and more. Available for use within the library only (no remote access).

Auto Repair Source »
Up-to-date “do-it-yourself” service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported cars, SUVs, vans and light trucks, including step-by-step information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labor estimates, service bulletins and recalls. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Bangor Daily News »
Provides full-text coverage from July 1, 1993 - present day.

Birds of the World »
Birds of the World is a powerful research database that brings together deep, scholarly content from four celebrated works of ornithology with millions of bird observations from eBird and multimedia from the Macaulay Library into a single platform where biologists and birders can explore comprehensive life history information on birds. [note: formally Birds of North America]

Census.gov (Census Data) »
Learn about communities in the United States through the U.S. Census Bureau's data profiles. Covers 100,000+ different geographies: states, counties, places, tribal areas, zip codes, and congressional districts. Topics covered for each include education, employment, health, housing, and much more.

cloudLibrary »
Download popular eBooks for free to your phone or tablet from cloudLibrary. This service is offered in partnership with other Maine libraries, with some additional content purchased by Portland Public Library and available to Portland Public Library cardholders exclusively.

cloudLibrary NewsStand »
Stay entertained & informed with the world’s largest catalog of digital magazines and newspapers delivered directly to your devices. Instantly access 7,000+ titles in more than 60 languages when you browse online or download cloudLibrary NewsStand. The easy-to-use online module & standalone app (available from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) offer individual articles, back issues, and an EZ read mode. All you need is your library card!

Comics Plus »
Comics Plus is a digital platform offering thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and manga to PPL card holders. You can access titles using a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. Every Comics Plus title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer, tablet, or phone. Sign in as "Portland Public Library, ME” and use your library card number (the entire number with no spaces) as your Library ID.

Congress.gov (Legislative Information) »
Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public. 

Consumer Reports »
ConsumerReports.org is the sister product of the Consumer Reports print magazine—both are published as an independent nonprofit testing and information organization.  As one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services, the organization provides overviews, ratings, and recommendations. Enter your library barcode when prompted for Patron ID.

Digital Commons »
Digital Commons is a collection of the Portland Public Library featuring digitized materials that capture and preserve the history and community life of Portland, Maine. These materials are drawn from the library’s own collections and from partnering organizations in the region.

Digital Maine Library »
The Digital Maine Library provides every resident of Maine with access to online resources that include a collection of full text articles and abstracts from magazines, newspapers, journals and reference. It also provides students, business people, public library patrons, and higher education students and educators the ability to use online learning tools.Thousands of magazines, newspapers, and reference books are available anywhere in the State.

Directory of Venture Capital & Private Equity Firms »
Brings together both venture capital and private equity organizations into one comprehensive directory - updated, offering valuable, current, and detailed information entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide. Includes over 300 new firms and over 1,000 new partners. These numbers bring the total number of firms to over 3,000 firms, over 1,000 branches, and over 12,000 partners. In addition, more than 15,000 portfolio portfolio companies listed.

Driving Tests »
Maine specific information for driving tests. Includes car practice tests, motorcycle practice tests, CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) practice tests, online driver’s manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL) and an FAQ section with detailed answers to 100+ DMV-related questions.

Gale eBooks »
Explore this database of encyclopedias, reference sources, and multiple premier directories within the Gale eBooks platform. For multidisciplinary research.

Heritage Quest »
HeritageQuest offers genealogy information, including census data, local history articles, revolutionary war records and more.

Home Improvement Source »
Access detailed “how-to” information covering a variety of do-it-yourself home improvement and repair projects. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Internet Archive »
Internet Archive is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.

Learning Express Library »
LearningExpress Library is an easy-to-use online test prep resource that helps people improve their core academic skills, earn a high school equivalency, prepare for college, join the military, obtain occupational certification, find a job, change careers, become a U.S. citizen and much more.

LinkedIn Learning »
LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos. Choose from over 16,000 online courses in 7 languages to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Get started with your library card.

Literary Reference Plus »
A literary database containing thousands of poems, short stories, classic novels, plot summaries, critical essays, and more, plus lesson plans and study guides. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Maine Memory Network »
The Maine Memory Network, a project of the Maine Historical Society, is a statewide digital museum that provides unprecedented access to over 10,000 historical items from over 160 museums, historical societies, libraries, and other organizations from every corner of Maine.

Maine News Index »
The Maine News Index (MNI) is a collection of abstracts that cover substantive Maine- or Portland-related articles published in local newspapers and magazines. MNI Online covers articles published from 1992 on. For the period 1945-1992, please consult the card file index in the Portland Room. Indexed periodicals include Down East, Mainebiz, Island Journal, Portland Monthly, and Casco Bay Weekly.

Mango Languages »
Available from home—set up an account with your email address, and library barcode and create a password. Mango Languages is a fun, fast, and interactive online language-learning system to learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian, or English.

MedlinePlus »
The National Library of Medicine manages MedlinePlus. This resource contains information about diseases, treatments, medication, and other wellness topics. Find up-to-date information and videos without medical jargon and in many languages.   

Morningstar Investing Center »Visit Morningstar Investing Center to access this data-rich site for company, stock, mutual fund, ETF and market information from in the library or visit Morningstar at home with your library card number.

Nature »
Nature is a weekly journal publishing peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology. Nature also provides news and interpretation of topical and coming trends affecting science, scientists and the wider public. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Newspaper Source Plus »
A full-text collection of millions of articles from popular newspapers, including The New York Times and its supplements. Also includes transcripts from shows on NPR, CNN, PBS, and much more. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Novelist K-8 Plus »
This database helps kids find books that are just right for their reading level and interests. Parents, teachers, and librarians can also find tools to teach with books and engage young readers. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Novelist Plus »
A database for reading recommendations to help readers of all ages find information on books. This is a must for book lovers! (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Portland Contemporary Archive »
Portland Contemporary Archive, originally Isolating Together, is Portland Public Library’s digital archive where we collect stories from you, our community members, about how COVID-19 is impacting your life. Browse the collection and learn about how YOU can submit!

Portland Jewish Oral History Project »
Photographs and oral history recordings with members of Portland's vibrant Jewish community are available here online. Bringing together Portraits of the Past: The Jews of Portland Dr. Konnilyn G. Feig, Director, commissioned by the Jewish Community Center, 1976 and The Oral History Project of Documenting Maine Jewry, supported by the Maine Humanities Council, 2009. For more information, contact: dmj@mindspring.com

Portland Press Herald »
Access the complete text of issues from September 30, 1995 - present. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

PubMed »
Managed by the National Library of Medicine, PubMed offers access to almost 30 million citations, many providing links to full-text articles. Medical professionals and researchers consult this database, and it is regularly updated.

Read It! »
This database offers short articles on popular topics to assist English language learners in building vocabulary. This resource is excellent for ELL instructors and self-learners who are working on English language skills. (Provided by Digital Maine Library)

Reference Solutions »
Contains basic directory information for more than 210 million U.S. residents and 14 million businesses in all zip code areas of the United States. Information includes name of business, address, telephone number, headquarters, branch and subsidiaries identification, SIC codes, yellow pages headings, ticker symbol, credit rating, number of employees, and estimated sales volume. Also includes some federal, state, and municipal offices.

Small Engine Repair Source »
Access repair guides for small engines, from motorcycles and ATVs to generators and outdoor power equipment. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

TumbleBooks »
TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. They are created by taking existing picture books, adding animation, sounds, music and narration to produce an electronic picture book (and some classics) which you can read, or have read to you.

U.S. Newsstream »
Search current U.S. and regional newspapers as well as archives back to the 1980s. Includes access to current issues of The Wall Street Journal. (Provided by the Maine State Library)

Value Line »Value Line is an investment management solution, providing in-depth financial information, research, and advanced analytical tools for new and experienced investors. The Investment Survey contains up-to-date, weekly issues. For each stock in its universe it offers year-ahead and 3-to-5-year probable relative price performance, projections of key financial measures, and concise, objective commentary on current operations and future prospects.

Value Line Investment Survey: Small and Mid-Cap »The Small and Mid-Cap Survey offers full-page reports on ~1800 smaller stocks. Each page contains current and historical financial information and stock price data. Includes Performance rank, adapted from the well-known Value Line Timeliness rank, and is designed to predict a stock's relative price performance for the next 6-12 months. From "Dashboard", click "Browse Research" (top), then "Small & mid-cap featured" (right side).

Weiss Ratings Consumer Guides »
Weiss Ratings Consumer Guides offers easy-to-use tools to help patrons navigate through nine important areas. Each easy-to-read, step-by-step guide is packed with accurate, unbiased information and recommendations you've come to expect from Weiss Ratings. Each 50-70 page guide offers a narrative about the subject, what you should look for when choosing a plan or policy, recommended companies to work with and so much more.