Below are databases that our library subscribes to, so that you can access these for free with your library card!
Ancestry Library Edition provides genealogical and historical research capabilities. With more than 5 billion names in over 4,600 databases, includes census, military, court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; and passenger lists. In-library use only.
Auto Repair Source – Auto Repair Source provides the most accurate, authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. All content comes from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and includes step-by-step repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labor estimates, service bulletins and recalls.
BC Codes – The BC Codes include the BC Building Code, the BC Fire Code, and BC Statutes & Regulations. BC Laws – BC Revised Statutes and Consolidated Regulations. BCStats is the central statistical agency of the Province of British Columbia. They offer data services, business and economic statistics, labour and social statistics, population stats, and survey and analysis. DataBC provides easy access to public BC government data, applications and web services
BC Historical Newspapers
Vancouver Sun, The Province, the Times-Colonist Archives – NEW! Online access to three Canadian historical newspaper archives: the Vancouver Sun (1912-2010), the Times-Colonist (1884-2010) and The Province (1894-2010).
BC Community Newspaper Archives– Digitized versions of historical papers from around the province. The titles, which range from the Abbotsford Post to the Ymir Mirror, date from 1859 to 1995.
Sunshine Coast News Archives – Explore local Sunshine Coast historical newspaper collections, THE COAST NEWS and THE PENINSULA TIMES. Free digital access to 37 years of the Coast News and Sunshine Coast News, 1945-1995, courtesy of the Sunshine Coast Museum.
NEW! Bibliothèque numérique de la Colombie-Britannique from Cantook Station – a collection of French language eBooks and audiobooks from Canadian and international publishers. It includes popular genre fiction, bestsellers, non-fiction and more. There are titles for adults, teens and children. Find out more.
Campus Program – University, college and employment resources that guide you from high school to your dream job.
Canadiana provides access to the digital collections of Canada’s libraries, museums, and archives. It’s a great single source for Canada’s documentary heritage for researchers, students, and the general public. Now surpassing the 60 million-page mark, it opens the door to books, journals, newspapers, government documents, photographs, maps, post cards, sheet music, audio and video files about our nation’s heritage.
Canadian Encyclopedia is a comprehensive information source about Canada and Canadians, for students, the general public and scholars. Includes articles written by experts, as well as web links and multimedia clips. The web site also includes links to the Youth Encyclopedia of Canada and Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. No library card is required to access these resources on the Internet.
Canadian Genealogy Centre links to the online genealogical services of Library and Archives Canada.
ClickLaw – online legal information service for low-income British Columbians. ClickLaw connects you to the reliable information and tools you need to resolve your legal problems.
NEW! Comics Plus – with Comics Plus, readers have unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers. Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — on computers, tablets, and phones. No holds, wait lists, or monthly borrowing limits. Learn more.
Consumer Reports Complete Ratings and recommendations on appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more.
EBSCOHost – Search more than 10,000 popular and academic magazines, reference books, plus images, covering all subject areas, from current events and history to the arts and sciences. Many Canadian titles are included. Narrow results by date, subject, publication, etc.
Explora Canada – Information for students of all ages on a wide variety of topics, from history and current events to science and technology. Search a variety of sources such as magazines, encyclopedias, primary source documents and more.
Explora Primary Schools – A research interface for K-5. Simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, essays, and primary source documents to help students feel successful in their research. Easy-to-browse categories organized by popular topic to give students research ideas. Topic overviews that provide students with a starting point for research.
Gale Courses– Gale Courses offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month.
Gale Business Plan Handbooks – A compilation of business plans developed by small businesses throughout North America.
Greenfile is a free database with an environmental focus, containing accessible information on topics ranging from global warming to recycling to alternate fuel sources and beyond.
JusticeBC provides general information on criminal and family law in British Columbia, including special sections addressing the particular needs of victims, witnesses, family members, accused etc., and many links to family law resources and services provided by government.
Kanopy is a video streaming service that provides instant access to thousands of critically acclaimed movies, documentaries and kid favourites with Kanopy Kids. You can stream Kanopy on any of your favourite devices – via mobile and tablet apps , your desktop, and SmartTV apps like Roku, Apple TV and Fire Stick. Find out more.
KnowBC includes the Encyclopedia of British Columbia Online, and includes thousands of entries, photos, illustrations, and multimedia covering BC-related information.
LinkedIn Learning – LinkedIn Learning gives you free access to over 16,000 online courses taught by industry experts in business, technology and creative topics.
NEW! LOTE4Kids is an online database of digital picture books in World Languages, that helps libraries to engage multilingual families in their communities, while allowing kids to enjoy books and learn language through the magic of storytelling.
Mango Languages Each Mango lesson is focused on practical, common conversation skills and includes instruction on vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, AND culture. Lessons are developed by native-speaking teachers who understand the nuances of the language and the culture. Also available as an iPhone or Android app!
MasterFile Premier – General reference full-text articles from hundreds of books, encyclopedias, and magazines. Includes popular magazines such as Maclean’s, New Yorker.
NFB Online – Enjoy documentaries, animations, alternative dramas and interactive productions on the web.
NoveList – Looking for a good book? Want to find book reviews? Desperate to find other authors that are similar to your favourite? Check out NoveList, a database of books and authors, recommended reading lists, book discussion ideas, and reviews.
OverDrive – Download free eBooks, audioBooks and digital magazines with the Libby app from Overdrive. The Gibsons Library has also purchased extra copies of popular titles. Sign in to access these during your search. Wanting to know the difference between Overdrive, Libby and Library2Go? Find out more. Browse the digital collection here.
Points to the Past – Free access to nearly 200 million pages of digital historical content, including newspapers, periodicals, manuscripts, and declassified documents.
PressReader – PressReader offers you unlimited digital access to 5000 of the world’s leading newspapers and magazines. Choose from full-version, current-day content in 60+ languages from more than 100 countries. When logging in, choose “Library or Group”, (not email, social media, or Google) for free access with your library card.
Small Engine Repair Reference Center includes: ATVs, commercial mowers, farm tractors, generators, motorcycles, marine (boats), outdoor power equipment, PWC (personal watercraft/jet ski), snowblowers, snowmobiles, tillers and other small engines.
Statistics Canada – the official source for Canadian social and economic statistics and products.
Storybooks Canada – Storybooks Canada is a free open educational resource that promotes literacy and language learning in homes, schools, and communities. It makes 40 stories from the African Storybook available with text and audio in English, French, and the most widely spoken immigrant and refugee languages of Canada. We are also developing Indigenous Storybooks and the Global Storybooks literacy portal.
VSIS Online contains vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation. (In-Library use only)