Online Resources
By Category


















Ebsco Discovery Service
Access multiple resources with one search (results include materials in the library collection, magazine/journal articles, and information from electronic resources).
Academic Search Elite
Provides core resource of scholarly information for academic Institutions containing full text for more than 2,100 journals and over 1,700 peer-reviewed, full-text journals.
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.
Antiques Reference (P4A Antiques Reference)
Descriptive information and values for antiques, fine art, and collectibles from over 190 U.S. and regional auction houses.
A to Z databases
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.
A to Z World Food
Explore food culture and recipes from 174 countries; includes traditional recipes, dining etiquette, beverages, ingredients, spices, and much more.
Auto Repair Source
For mechanics and DIYers, information to help diagnosis, repair and maintain cars and trucks. Coverage is from 1974 to current vehicles as released by the manufacturer.
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.
Book Collection Nonfiction – High School Edition
A research database for students containing searchable full text for more than 2,450 popular nonfiction books including high interest titles on careers, health, life skills, ethnicity, disabilities, adventure, sports, technology, biographies, music, science, history, civics and more.
Book Collection Nonfiction – Middle School Edition
A research database for students containing searchable full text for more than 3,100 popular nonfiction books. The database includes high interest titles on careers, health, life skills, ethnicity, disabilities, adventure, sports, technology, biographies, history, science, women, civics and more.
Book Collection Nonfiction – Elementary Edition
A research database for students containing searchable full text for more than 1,300 popular nonfiction books. The database includes high interest titles on animals, weather, holidays, adventure, sports, Native Americans, United States, Canada, biographies, nature, civics and more.
Career Cruising
A comprehensive resource for career development offering assessments for career matching, information on jobs/careers, job searching, and a national database of colleges and universities.
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.
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.
Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970 Missouri
Detailed property and land-use records from towns and cities in Missouri. To use this database outside the library please contact the Reference Staff at the Joplin Public Library 417-624-5465.
Driving-Tests.org
Free driver education program for Missouri; includes 10 practice tests, 6 motorcycle practice tests, 3 CDL practice tests, online driver’s manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL) and FAQs.
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. Titles in the Sharpe Global History & Culture collection are now accessed here. To use eBooks from a device outside the library you must have a Joplin Public Library card. See Reference Staff.
ERIC
The Education Resource Information Center provides citations to education literature and resources.
eSequels
Discover titles in popular fiction series listed in order. Look by author, title, character, location, and subject. Series and titles are annotated to help you identify the series or book you need.
Explora
General Research and eBooks – An easy to use search pulling information from magazines, reference books, primary source documents, and Associated Press videos.
Flipster
A digital magazine service offering full-color, full-page popular magazines available 24/7 on any computer or mobile device with internet access.
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
General interest encyclopedia containing over 25,000 articles on various subjects.
Gale Directory Library
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media: newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations, and other media from 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 Encyclopedia of Everyday Law
A guide dealing with the law and its everyday effects on citizens. Includes: brief descriptions on each issue’s historical background, covering important statutes and cases; profiles of various U.S. laws and regulations; and details of how laws and regulations vary from state to state.
Gale Legal Forms
Provides a wide selection of Missouri-specific (and multi-state) legal forms across the most popular legal areas. Includes real estate contracts, wills, pre-marital agreements, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord tenant and many others. Also included is a comprehensive attorney state directory and a dictionary of legal definitions explained in laymen’s language.
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.
Adolescent Health Sourcebook
part of Gale Virtural Reference Library
Alcohol Information for Teens
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
AIDS Sourcebooks
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
Drug Abuse Sourcebook
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
Eating Disorders Sourcebook
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol & Addictive Behaviors
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
Healthy Living
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
Human Body
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
Sexual Health for Teens
part of Gale Virtual Reference Library
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
Global Road Warrior
Information on 175 nations and territories including geography, demographics, culture, society, and religion. The database also contains information travelers would need such as money, security, health, technical & electrical connections, and essential terms.
HeritageQuest
This online database is an essential collection of unique material including the U.S. federal census images and indexes from 1790 to 1930, 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.
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.
Lawchek
Basic law information database covering the 50 states. The database includes legal forms, information on federal agencies and lawyers, and selected form letters. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.
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 50 languages with ESL courses for 15 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.
MAS Ultra – School Edition
Specifically designed for high school students includes full text for nearly 500 popular high school magazines, 85,670 biographies, over 107,000 primary source documents, more than 360 reference books, and an Image Collection of over 592,000 photos, maps & flags, color PDFs.
MasterFILE Premier
Designed for public libraries, MasterFILEâ„¢ Premier contains full text for nearly 1,700 periodicals covering general reference, business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues and much more; full text more than 500 reference books; over 107,000 primary source documents; and an Image Collection of over 510,000 photos, maps & flags.
MEDLINE
MEDLINE provides authoritative medical citations on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and much more.
Middle Search Plus
Middle Search Plus contains full text for more than 140 popular middle school magazines, primary source documents, reference books, and thousands of relevant photos, maps and flags.
Newspaper Archive
Online access to digital copies of select newspapers from around the United States and the world. The Joplin newspapers are covered from 1898 to the present with some gaps in coverage. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.
Newspaper Source
Provides cover-to-cover full text for more than 40 national (U.S.) and international newspapers, selective full text for more than 370 regional (U.S.) newspapers, and full-text television & radio news.
Novelist K-8 Plus
A reader’s advisory tool for children and teens that allows you to search for novels and readable nonfiction titles by author, subject, plot, etc. Find biographies, Award Winners, Grab and Go Book Lists, and much more.
Novelist Plus
A reader’s advisory tool that allows you to search for novels and readable nonfiction titles by author, subject, plot, etc., as well as finding similar titles to a specific title or author.
Primary Search
Primary Search, designed specifically for elementary school students contains full text for more than 80 popular elementary school magazines, the Encyclopedia of Animals, Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, the American Heritage Children’s Dictionary, and thousands of relevant photos, maps and flags.
Professional Development Collection
Professional Development Collection includes full text for nearly 520 high-quality education journals.
Read It!
Designed for middle and high school students and adults who have a basic foundation in English grammar and reading but need adapted reading material for a variety of subjects. It offers resources to help build background knowledge, conduct research and improve study skills.
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.
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.
Science Reference Center
A comprehensive research database that provides easy access full text for hundreds of science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals and other sources.
Show-Me the-World (Firstsearch)
A database of over 45,000,000 books, periodicals, and other materials held in libraries around the world.
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.
TumbleBooks
A collection of animated, talking picture books. Included in the collection are puzzles, games, language learning, readables, and audioboooks.
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.