A new year, a new you, a new hobby!

Hobbies can be a great way to unwind, foster creativity, and make new friends.  They offer an opportunity to pursue passions and set goals unrelated to our professional lives.  As children, our free time was consumed with hobbies such as arts and crafts, playing sports, and games.  While juggling the demands of adult life, we often push aside leisure activities due to time constraints and financial considerations.  However, studies have demonstrated that engaging in a hobby can contribute to long-term physical and mental well-being.

Joplin Public Library is a great resource to help you discover a new hobby or get back into a past favorite.  It can be tempting to splurge on expensive supplies after seeing a fun project online (hello, Pinterest!).  However, there is a risk that the hobby may not be ideal for you, and you end collecting expensive gear you never use.  By utilizing books, digital resources, The Makerspace and The Library of Things, trying out new hobbies doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. 

For example, if you’d like to try out digital photography, a DSLR camera and lens can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  The Library of Things has one you can check out, countless books on photography and even a Great Courses series on photography through our digital resource kanopy.  Laser engraving is a fun pastime and a great way to personalize items, but again, the machine is expensive, takes up a lot of space and needs special ventilation.  The Makerspace offers this service and help using the machine when you bring your own supplies!

Another reason to utilize the library when looking for a new hobby is that we’re a trusted source for information. Have you ever tried a recipe you found online, only to realize it was missing a key ingredient or step? Books undergo a rigorous review process, ensuring that recipes or instructions for a project won’t lead to disastrous results like in this article from Good Housekeeping. Also, magazines and blogs are often sponsored by companies that promote specific products. The library, on the other hand, has no such agenda. We don’t care which brands you use, as long as you’re having fun!

Start the new year with a new hobby and enjoy all that Joplin Public Library has to offer in 2024!

Additional e-Resources

We have a bunch of online resources available for you when you go to “What We Offer” on our menu, on the left side you will see Reference.  One is by Category and one is listed alphabetically of All Databases we have available. We also have some on our kids e-content webpage.

We have been able to add some new ones because they were offered to us for you to use for a few months because of COVID-19.

Here are a few of them –

Tumblebooks Audio Books Cloud <- Audio Book Cloud    Tumblebooks Romance eBooks Clous <- Romance Books Club https://www.ebsco.com/sites/g/files/nabnos191/files/acquiadam-assets/hobbies-crafts-reference-center-button-140.pngHobbies & Crafts Reference Center

http://if.ebsco-content.com/interfacefiles/17.262.0.2841/bsi/logoBSILg.gifBusiness Searching (includes Business Source Ultimate & Regional Business News)

 

Automotive Repair

For repair information on cars and trucks use the Auto Repair Reference Center. If you are buying or selling a vehicle or just want to know what it is worth try the web sites for the Kelley Blue Book or the NADA price guides.

Auto Repair – Mitchell ProDemand

Auto repair information for mechanics and DIYers combining both OEM and real-world information from professional technicians. Repair information covers vehicles from 1960 to the present. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.

Home Improvement Reference Center
Full text database designed to assist homeowners in do-it-yourself home repair, maintenance, and remodeling projects including plumbing, outdoor, woodworking, electrical, and decorating projects.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center
Information about small engine machinery maintenance and repair from maintenance and repair manuals for hundreds of small engine machines including motorcycles, ATVs, and lawn and garden equipment.

Websites

Family Handyman Home repair for all skill levels with easy-to-follow instructions for for just about any home repair or renovation.

Kelley Blue Book Blue book trade in, retail, and private party values for new and used cars, trucks, motorcycles, personal watercraft, and snowmobiles as well as reviews, ratings, and advice on vehicle purchases.

NADA Guides Value guides for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and manufactured homes.

Biography

Biographies of both past and contemporary figures in history, science, entertainment, politics, and more are found in these databases.

Ebsco Discovery Service
Access multiple resources with one search (results include materials in the library collection, magazine/journal articles, and information from electronic resources).

Gale in Context: Biography
Learn about the challenges, motivations, successes, and failures of more than 500,000 of history’s most notable people. Biographies are from authoritative sources and some include multimedia.

Ebsco eBook Collection 

eBooks are digital editions of 50,000+ printed books for all ages including many fiction, general interest, reference, technical, and how-to titles. They can be viewed on any device connected to the Internet or downloaded to a computer or device.

Gale Virtual Reference Library
Full digital access to over 700 nonfiction ebooks covering a variety of subjects including biographies, health, science, business plans, authors, and much more.

Salem Press Online
Digital access to the full content of the Health, History, Science, and Literature Salem Press titles owned by the library. Titles include Magill’s Encyclopedia of ​Medicine, Great Events, Great Lives, and Defining Documents of History, the Solar System, Masterplots and many more.

Business

Information on researching businesses; business, legal and government forms; addresses & phone numbers of businesses in both the United States and Canada; and government resources for starting and running your own business.

AtoZ The USA

A to Z the USA provides comprehensive articles about the USA plus the 50 states, the 5 US territories, and the District of Columbia. This resource will help students and researchers find information about the country’s people, history, economy, geography, symbols, and culture. ​​

AtoZdatabases
Business database with over 30 million U.S. businesses and executive profiles. Includes residential listings with lifestyle information, healthcare professionals, and job listings with the ability to create mailing lists and email blasts.

Business Source Complete
Premium business content, including articles from thousands of journals, SWOT analyses, company profiles, industry information and more. Content includes Associated Press videos and Harvard Faculty Seminar Series videos.

Ebsco Discovery Service
Access multiple resources with one search (results include materials in the library collection, magazine/journal articles, and information from electronic resources).

Ebsco eBook Collection

eBooks are digital editions of 50,000+ printed books for all ages including many fiction, general interest, reference, technical, and how-to titles. They can be viewed on any device connected to the Internet or downloaded to a computer or device.

Financial Literacy
With something for everyone, this economics and personal finance resource promotes digital literacy. Designed for grades 7-12, it has articles, financial calculators, and activities such as creating a podcast or a multimedia presentation.

Gale Directory Library
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media: newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, and other media around the world.
Encyclopedia of Associations: National Organizations of the U.S.: organizations in the U.S.
American Wholesalers and Distributors Directory: wholesalers and distributors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans: education-related financial aid.


Gale Virtual Reference Library
Full digital access to over 700 nonfiction ebooks covering a variety of subjects including biographies, health, science, business plans, authors, and much more.

Global Road Warrior
Information on 175 nations and territories including geography, demographics, culture, society, and religion. The database also contains information business travelers would need such as money, security, health, technical and electrical connections, internet, women in business, and essential terms.

Legal GPS

Like “Turbotax” but for the law, this interactive platform gives business owners step-by-step, customized directions to complete 50+ legal essentials and saves owners 60+ hours and $4500 in legal fees.

Mango
Language learning software for over 70 languages with ESL courses for over 20 languages. Learn the most asked for languages such as Spanish, French and German as well as Hungarian, Yiddish and how to talk like a pirate.

Value Line
Investment research, data, expert analysis, and unbiased commentary on ~3500 stocks covered in The Value Line Investment Survey and Value Line Investment Survey–Small and Mid-Cap. Limited to 3 users at one time; if you cannot get in, please try again later.

Websites

Dollar Times Financial calculators for loans, investments and savings, and personal finance.

Missouri Business Portal The single port of entry for doing business in Missouri, including registrations, filings, licenses, and permits.

Missouri Census Data Center Census data for the state of Missouri with links to United States census web sites.

U.S. Small Business Administration Information for you to start, grow, and succeed in business ownership.

Directories / Telephone

Directory information for the United States and Canadian including addresses, telephone numbers, and zip code information.

AtoZdatabases
Find phone numbers, addresses and much more for over 220 million residents and 30 million businesses in the U.S. Find New Homeowners and New Businesses as well as Healthcare Professionals and Job listings.

Gale Directory Library 
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media: newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, and other media around the world.
Encyclopedia of Associations: National Organizations of the U.S.: organizations in the U.S.
American Wholesalers and Distributors Directory: wholesalers and distributors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans: education-related financial aid.

Websites

Zip-Code Lookup: Zip code information from the United States Postal Service searchable by address, city, company, or zip code.

Genealogy

Search for family histories, historical census records, birth and death records, and other genealogical information using resources from these databases and web sites.

Ancestry Library Edition
A genealogy research tool that provides instant access to a wide range of unique resources for genealogical and historical research including more than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases, records from the United States Census, military records, court, land and probate records, vital and church records, directories, passenger lists and more. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.

Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970  Missouri only
Detailed property and land-use records from towns and cities in Missouri. This resource now requires a library barcode to login. Please call for assistance if needed.

Fold3 Library Edition
Powered by Ancestry, this database of military records, photos, and personal documents has content from many county, state, national, and international archives, providing more than 470 million searchable records.

HeritageQuest
This online database is an essential collection of unique material including the U.S. federal census images and indexes from 1790 to 1940, more than 20,000 book titles, including nearly 8,000 family histories and over 12,000 local histories, in addition to more than 250 primary source documents such as tax lists, city directories, probate records, and more.

Newspaper Archive
Online access to digital copies of select newspapers from the central region of the United States. The Joplin newspapers are covered with some gaps in coverage. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.

Websites

Access Genealogy An index to genealogy sites on the internet including links to military and Native American records.

Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records Land and title records from the Bureau of Land Management.

FamilySearch Genealogical records from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with information on how to get started researching your family history and guides to help with the search.

Find A Grave Search for graves and cemeteries from around the world. The information is member input so not all graves and cemeteries are recorded on this website.

Missouri Birth & Death Records Database Search the Missouri Archives for birth and death records before 1910 and death certificates from 1910-1961.

Missouri State Archives Historical information found in the Missouri State Archives with information available on birth, death, land, military, and naturalization records.

Rootsweb An index to family history sites and research available on the internet.

Social Security Death Index Death records copied from the records of the Social Security Administration searchable by name, social security number, place, and year.

U.S. National Archives Online records from the National Archives of the United States with a link for Genealogists/Family Historians taking users to specific information on family research.

Health

Information on health-related topics, diseases, surgery, and nutrition.

AtoZdatabases
Find Healthcare Professionals plus phone numbers, addresses and much more for over 220 million residents and 30 million businesses in the U.S. Find New Homeowners and New Businesses as well as Job listings.

Ebsco Discovery Service
Access multiple resources with one search (results include materials in the library collection, magazine/journal articles, and information from electronic resources).

Consumer Health Complete
A comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. It is designed to support the information needs of patients, and to foster an overall understanding of health-related topics. Content covers all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.

Ebsco eBook Collection 

eBooks are digital editions of 50,000+ printed books for all ages including many fiction, general interest, reference, technical, and how-to titles. They can be viewed on any device connected to the Internet or downloaded to a computer or device.

Gale Virtual Reference Library
Full digital access to over 700 nonfiction eBooks covering a variety of reading levels (elementary – adult) and subjects including biographies, health, science, business plans, authors, and much more.

Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Gale Encyclopedia of Diets (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

Gale Encyclopedia of Prescription Drugs (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

UXL Encyclopedia of Diseases and Disorders (part of Gale Virtual Reference Library)

MEDLINE
MEDLINE® provides authoritative medical citations on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and much more.

Salem Press Online
Digital access to the full content of the Health, History, Science, and Literature Salem Press titles owned by the library. Titles include Magill’s Encyclopedia of Medicine, Great Events, Great Lives, and Defining Documents of History, the Solar System, Masterplots and many more.

Teen Health and Wellness
Designed for teens and their unique concerns this inclusive resource offers nonjudgmental straightforward school and self-help support. Topics include diseases, drugs & alcohol, nutrition, mental health, suicide & bullying, LGBTQ issues, and more.

Websites

Administration on Aging
Provides information and links such as the Eldercare Locator, Medicare, and Long-term care.

Benefits Check Up
To connect those 55 and older to services and benefit programs that may help with prescriptions, health care, utitlites, and other basic needs.

National Council on the Aging
A nonprofit service and advocacy organization for seniors that provides information for seniors, caregivers, and advocates.

Medline Plus
Information to help answer health questions from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and other health related agencies and organizations.

Merck Manuals
Medical information from one of the world’s most widely used medical information resources. Both professional and consumer editions are included.

Healthfinder
Resource developed by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to help find government and non-profit health and human services information.

Kinship Navigator
Program to assist kinship caregivers in finding and using resources to meet their needs and the needs of the children they are raising. Kinship caregivers are grandparents, relatives and loved one who provide homes for children when their biological parents cannot.

Lab Tests Online
Information on both screening and diagnostic laboratory tests and how they are performed.

Nutrition.gov
Government information on food and nutrition for consumers including weight management, menu planning, supplements, and food programs.

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
Information on health, research, clinical trials, and training in the fields of complimentary and alternative medicine.

History

Information on historical topics including Joplin and Missouri information, biographies, archival news stories, the United States and world history.

Ebsco Discovery Service
Access multiple resources with one search (results include materials in the library collection, magazine/journal articles, and information from electronic resources).

AtoZ The USA
A to Z the USA provides comprehensive articles about the USA plus the 50 states, the 5 US territories, and the District of Columbia. This resource will help students and researchers find information about the country’s people, history, economy, geography, symbols, and culture.

Ebsco eBook Collection 

eBooks are digital editions of 50,000+ printed books for all ages including many fiction, general interest, reference, technical, and how-to titles. They can be viewed on any device connected to the Internet or downloaded to a computer or device.

Fold3 Library Edition

Powered by Ancestry, this database of military records, photos, and personal documents has content from many county, state, national, and international archives, providing more than 470 million searchable records.

Gale Virtual Reference Library
Full digital access to over 700 nonfiction eBooks covering a variety of subjects including biographies, health, science, business plans, authors, and much more.

HeritageQuest
This online database is an essential collection of unique material including the U.S. federal census images and indexes from 1790 to 1940, more than 20,000 book titles, including nearly 8,000 family histories and over 12,000 local histories, in addition to more than 250 primary source documents such as tax lists, city directories, probate records, and more.

Newspaper Archive
Online access to digital copies of select newspapers from the central region of the United States. The Joplin newspapers are covered with some gaps in coverage. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.

Salem Press Online
Digital access to the full content of the Health, History, Science, and Literature Salem Press titles owned by the library. Titles include Magill’s Encyclopedia of Medicine, Great Events, Great Lives, and Defining Documents of History, the Solar System, Masterplots and many more.

Websites

Missouri Digital Heritage (formerly Virtually Missouri)
The web site for the Missouri Digitization Planning Project (MDPP). MDPP coordinates access to digital collections and exhibits created by Missouri libraries, archives, historical societies and museums.

Jobs & Careers

Career and job search information including career tests, company information for job seekers, business research and employment listings.

AtoZdatabases
Find 2.3 million Job Listings plus phone numbers, addresses and much more for over 220 million residents and 30 million businesses in the U.S. Find New Homeowners and New Businesses as well as Healthcare Professionals. Includes information and help for job searching, resume building, and interviewing.

Brainfuse VetNow
Assists veterans and their families with navigating Veterans Affairs and provides academic tutoring and employment transition assistance. Provided courtesy of the Missouri State Library, a Joplin Public Library card number is not required for login.

Computer Skills Center
100+ self-directed video tutorials for getting started a using a computer and for commonly used software applications from Adobe, Microsoft and the Windows operating system.

Learning Express Library
A library of test preparation materials and interactive practice exams based on official tests including the HiSet, GED, ACT, and ASVAB, Occupation Practice Tests, College prep and U.S. Citizenship.

Mango
Language learning software for over 70 languages with ESL courses for more than 20 languages. Learn the most asked for languages such as Spanish, French and German as well as Hungarian, Yiddish and how to talk like a pirate.

Resume and Cover Letter Builder
Contains more than 200 expert-developed resumes covering a range of occupations and preparation levels. Users can also build their own resumes and cover letters.

Websites

JobsMoGov (Missouri Division of Workforce Development)
The official workforce resource web site for the State of Missouri, includes job listings, job seekers, and unemployment insurance claim reporting.

Joplin Globe Classifieds
Classifieds from the Joplin Globe newspaper.

CareerOneStop
Sponsored by the Department of Labor this site provides national, state, and local career, labor market, and workforce information.

Glassdoor
A comprehensive career resource with information on 28,000+ companies.