Online Reference Databases
Welcome to Weslaco Public Library's online reference databases. The staff is eager to help you with whatever research project you are tackling. If you are having trouble finding what you need, feel free to Ask the Librarian.
America's Newspapers
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Find current and archived local, state, regional, and national full-text articles on issues, events, people, government, sports and more including the Brownsville Herald (12/14/06-Current), Dallas Morning News (8/12/84-Current), The Monitor (12/16/06-Current), the Valley Morning Star (12/13/06-Current), New York Times (1985-Current), and the Washington Post (1977-Current).
Access: At the Library (only from the library)
Discover your family history online with Ancestry Library Edition database. Search family historical records, family tree services, census information, and genealogy resources. Available only at the library computers.
Biography Resource Center
Access: At the Library and from Home
(contact a reference staff member)
This database integrates award-winning biographies from respected Gale sources with related full-text articles from hundreds of magazines and newspapers, as well as tens of thousands of images and links to vetted websites. Search for people---both current and historic from all eras and fields of endeavor---based on name, occupation, nationality, ethnicity, birth/death dates and places, or gender, as well as keyword and full text. Or, combine search criteria to create a highly-targeted custom search.
Access: At the Library and from Home
(contact a reference staff member)
Search by Jumping to Britannica Online for Kids. Research encyclopedia articles, find images, videos, and statistics, a student Dictionary and Thesaurus, and Learning Activities for English, Math, Science, and Social Sciences.
Britannica Online Reference Center
Access: At the Library and from Home
(contact a reference staff member)
Britannica Online Reference Center includes access to research tools,thousands of articles from respected magazines and journals, and rich multimedia.
Britannica's Spanish Reference Center
Access: At the Library and from Home (contact areference staff member). 
Encyclopedia Juvenil is a Spanish Language encyclopedia with access to researchtools, thousands of articles from respected magazines and journals, and richmultimedia. Enciclopedia Universal en Español for high school ages and up and Enciclopedia Juvenil for ages 6-12.
Access: At the Library and from Home (contact a reference staff member)
ChiltonLibrary.com provides auto repair and maintenance information on a wide variety of cars and trucks for the experienced mechanic as well the automotive enthusiast.
Learning Express
Access: At the Library and from Home (you will need to create a username and password)
LearningExpress Library is an interactive online learning service providing practice tests and tutorial courses designed to help students and adult learners prepare for a variety of academic or licensing tests. Study for tests ranging the GED to Citizenship to Cosmetology to Law Enforcement.
Resume Maker
Access: At the Library and from Home
(you will need to create a username and password)
Resume Maker provides tools for resume, cover letter and job interview preparation, as well as guidance for finding a job.
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Salem's Health provides access to Magill’s Medical Guide which is an up-to-date and easy-to-use compendium of medical information suitable for student research as well as use by general readers, including patients and caregivers. The Guide covers diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology, and issues in an A-Z format, with sidebars addressing recent developments in medicine and concise information boxes for all diseases and disorders.
Salem History
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Part of the Salem History database, The Eighties in America is a robust online database covering life in the United States during the 1980s.
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Salem's Science provides access to The Solar System which is an up-to-date and easy-to-use compendium of science information suitable for student research as well as use by general readers.
Access: At the Library and from Home (contact a reference staff member)
Medical answers stat! In the classroom, clinic, or for personal reference; Stat!Ref is the premier online resource for point-of-care tools, full-text e-books, pharmacy databases, and more.
Texas H
istorical Newspapers
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Search Texas historical archives including articles from the Austin Republican, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Morning Register, San Antonio Express and more.
Access: At the Library and from Home (contact a reference staff member)
TexShare is a comprehensvie package of databases licensed through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. In includes databases on such areas as:
- Medical resources and health information;
- E-books and literary criticism;
- Full-text Newspaper articles;
- Transcripts from television news shows and National Public Radio;
- Information on public and private companies--U.S. and foreign;
- Consumer marketing data and emerging technology reports;
- Genealogy resources;
- Latest breaking news and daily updates from newspaper wire services;
- Full text of hundreds of popular periodicals, including Business Week, Rolling Stone, and Smithsonian.
World Book Online
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Experience a world of knowledge with World Book Online Reference Center: Online for Kids, Online Info Finder, Early World of Learning and Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos. These informative, interactive and user friendly databases feature articles, games, e-books, primary resource documents and much more. Designed for Grades Pre-K to College level.
World Book Online for Kids
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
World Book for Kids is the premier general reference Web site developed especially for younger library patrons.
Easy-to-read articles, multimedia, games, science projects, interactive tools, and activities
World History Online
Access: At the Library and from Home
(enter library card number)
Gale World History in Context is an engaging online experience for those seeking contextual information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in World History. Search reference content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites organized into a user-friendly portal experience.
