Announcement:
Under the province-wide stay-at-home order, Kitchener Public Library locations are open for curbside pickup only. Learn more
You are here
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.
Academic OneFile
Extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects.
Ancestry
Contains census, birth, marriage & death records, directories, passenger lists, immigration records, maps and more.
We are pleased to be able to provide remote access to Ancestry Library Edition through June 30, 2021.
Britannica Online
A fully-searchable encyclopedia divided into sections for children, teens, and adults. Use Britannica anywhere, at any time, on any device.
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.
Canadian Encyclopedia
Information in French and English about Canada and the world, including timelines of Canadian and world events.
Canadian Newsstream
Search full-text articles from hundreds of newspapers across Canada.
Cantook Station
This e-book and audiobook collection offers French-language titles published in Quebec, and French translations of English titles, for all ages.
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.
CBCA Complete
A diverse mix of publications on topics ranging from business to the arts, to industry news and current events in Canada.
Consumer Reports
A fully-searchable version of the popular Consumer Reports magazine, with expert ratings and recommendations on products and services.
Download Library
Download e-books and audiobooks, or stream a selection of films.
Dragon Source – Chinese Magazines Online
A wide selection of popular Chinese-language magazines are available for online reading in this collection.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Grant Connect
Canada's largest bilingual fundraising database, Grant Connect is designed to help non-profits search grant opportunities to find funding.
New! Grant Connect Community Edition is available for use outside the library. Contact us at askkpl@kpl.org to request access.
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.
Health and Medicine
Health information for professionals, students and the general public including nursing, allied health and medical journals, magazines, pamphlets, and reference books.
Health and Wellness
Health and wellness information from medical journals, general interest titles and other sources such as medical encyclopedias and pamphlets.
Hoopla
Borrow free digital movies, television shows, music and audiobooks with your library card. You may borrow up to 4 items per month.
iSearchMyCommunity
Search for local community organizations and services in Waterloo Region.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
Update your skills online! Learn technology, creative and business skills you can use today.
Note: Lynda.com is now LinkedIn Learning. Prior course progress and history from Lynda.com has been retained.
Merck Manuals
Information on medical topics, symptoms, drugs, procedures, news and more, for both consumers and health care professionals.
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.
NoveList Plus
Find your next great read using NoveList! Includes recommendations, reviews, book talks and more for fiction and non-fiction titles.
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.
Novels for Students
Overviews of novels, including discussions of plot, characters, themes and structure as well as the work's cultural and historical significance.
Press Reader
Instant access to newspapers and magazines from around the world.
Pronunciator
Learn over 80 languages with self-directed lessons, videos and more. Create a free account to track your progress.
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.
RBdigital Magazines
Read your favorite magazines on your computer, tablet, or phone.
Reference Solutions
(Previously Reference Group) Look up Canadian business and industry profiles, company descriptions, executive directories, market research and more.
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.
Summa
High quality Canadian streaming content including DIY instructional videos, nature programs, and award-winning documentaries.
Summa Kids
A streaming video platform featuring core curriculum content relevant to teachers and K-12 students in Canada.
Teen Book Cloud
Enhanced e-books for grades 7-12, including graphic novels, fiction, classic literature, and more.
TumbleBooks
Online read-along books for children in grades K-6. Listen to a story, do a puzzle, play a game and much, much more!
TumbleMath
A collection of online stories and picture books illustrating mathematical concepts, designed for children in grades K-6. Perfect for after-school tutoring and homework help!
Video Librarian Movie Reviews
Over 20,000 ratings, reviews and recommendations, including DVD special features, movie news, a new releases calendar, and more.
Virtual Reference Library
A collection of eBooks for all types of research, including encyclopedias, handbooks, and specialized reference resources.