Databases & Subscriptions

Kitchener Public Library subscribes to a large number of databases, all free for your use. Some databases require a library card to log in; most do not require a library card if you are inside the library.

A to Z World Food

Explore recipes and food culture across the world.

Use inside or outside the library

Academic OneFile

Extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Ancestry

Contains census, birth, marriage & death records, directories, passenger lists, immigration records, maps and more.

During the library closure, we are pleased to be able to provide remote access to Ancestry Library Edition.

Use inside library

Britannica Online

A fully-searchable encyclopedia divided into sections for children, teens, and adults. Use Britannica anywhere, at any time, on any device.

Use inside or outside library

Business Plans Handbook

Includes actual plans from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries as examples of how to approach, structure and compose business plans.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Canadian Encyclopedia

Information in French and English about Canada and the world, including timelines of Canadian and world events.

Use inside or outside library

Canadian Newsstream

Search full-text articles from hundreds of newspapers across Canada.

Use inside library

Use outside library

CBC Documentaries on Curio.ca

Watch CBC / Radio-Canada documentaries, special reports, and more on Curio.ca. Users outside the library must create an account. See the User Guide to learn how.

Access Curio.ca

User Guide

CBCA Complete

A diverse mix of publications on topics ranging from business to the arts, to industry news and current events in Canada.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Consumer Reports

A fully-searchable version of the popular Consumer Reports magazine, with expert ratings and recommendations on products and services.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Download Library

Download e-books and audiobooks, or stream a selection of films.

Search Download Library

User Guide

Using the App

Dragon Source – Chinese Magazines Online

A wide selection of popular Chinese-language magazines are available for online reading in this collection.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Find My Past

Over 2 billion British, American, Australian, New Zealand, Irish and Canadian historical records, including birth, marriage and death indexes; census, land and survey records; education, work and military records; immigration, travel, and passenger lists, and more.

Home access to this database during the COVID-19 quarantine is not available. Please contact askkpl@kpl.org for assistance with your genealogy queries.

Use inside library

Freegal Music

Download or stream free music from popular artists and genres. You can download up to five songs per week, which are yours to keep!

Use inside or outside library

User Guide

G1.ca

Practice for the Ontario G1 driving test with free practice tests and a G1 test simulator! Each test is based on the MTO Driver's Handbook, and uses the same method of grading and same types of questions you'll find on the real test.

Use inside or outside the library

Gale Literature

A comprehensive literature database. Includes content from Contemporary Authors, Literature Criticism Online, and Literature Resource Center, as well as LitFinder, Dictionary of Literary Biography, and Something About the Author.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Grant Connect

Formerly the Canadian Directory to Foundations and Corporations, this is Canada's largest bilingual fundraising database.

New! Eligible organizations can now register for Grant Connect's Community Edition, and will have access until May 31.

Use inside library

Access the Community Edition

Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia

The fully-searchable, electronic version of the popular encyclopedia which spans the animal kingdom. Contains detailed information about species discovery, evolution, habitat, behavior, diet and much more.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Health and Medicine

Health information for professionals, students and the general public including nursing, allied health and medical journals, magazines, pamphlets, and reference books.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Health and Wellness

Health and wellness information from medical journals, general interest titles and other sources such as medical encyclopedias and pamphlets.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Hoopla

Borrow free digital movies, television shows, music and audiobooks with your library card. You may borrow up to 4 items per month.

Use inside or outside library

User Guide

iSearchMyCommunity

Search for local community organizations and services in Waterloo Region.

Use inside or outside library

Lynda.com

Update your skills online! Learn technology, creative and business skills you can use today. You must have a library card to use Lynda.com.

Use inside or outside library

User Guide

Merck Manuals

Information on medical topics, symptoms, drugs, procedures, news and more, for both consumers and health care professionals.

Use inside or outside library

National Film Board

The National Film Board (NFB) produces and distributes Canadian films in English and French. The library has access to over 2,500 films through our CAMPUS subscription. CAMPUS titles can only be accessed from within the library. All other NFB titles can be accessed both inside and outside the library.

Use inside or outside library

NoveList Plus

Find your next great read using NoveList! Includes recommendations, reviews, book talks and more for fiction and non-fiction titles.

Use inside library

Use outside library

NoveList Plus K-8

Reviews, booklists, and recommended reads for fiction and non-fiction books to help K-8 students find their next great read.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Novels for Students

Overviews of novels, including discussions of plot, characters, themes and structure as well as the work's cultural and historical significance.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Press Reader

Instant access to newspapers and magazines from around the world.

Note: The Globe & Mail is available to in-library users only.

Use inside library

Use outside library

User Guide

Pronunciator

Learn over 80 languages with self-directed lessons, videos and more. Create a free account to track your progress.

Use inside library

Use outside library

User Guide

Pronunciator ProCitizen Canada

An interactive course for newcomers preparing to take the Canadian Citizenship Test. You must have a Pronunciator account to take this course.

Use inside or outside library

User Guide

RBdigital Magazines

Read your favorite magazines on your computer, tablet, or phone.

Use inside or outside library

User Guide

Reference Group

Look up Canadian business and industry profiles, company descriptions, executive directories, market research and more.

Use inside library

Use outside library

Road to IELTS

Designed to help people learning English with Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Road to IELTS helps exam candidates with every aspect of test preparation.

Use inside library

Use outside library

User Guide