Research and homework databases
We provide access to premium online databases and learning resources.

Research and learn
Search for journal articles on a huge range of subjects:
- access quality health information
- research your family history
- find your next good read
- keep up-to-date in business with Harvard Business Review
- expand your horizons with Mango Languages and more.
Our research databases fall into 2 categories – those you can access from home, and those you can access in library.
Unless otherwise noted, the login for home research databases is your membership number without spaces.
- ABI/Inform Collection
Business journal and newspaper articles, including articles from the Australian Financial Review (2013+) and Economist (1981+). - Academic Search Premier
Academic journal articles covering a wide range of topics. - Ancestry Library Edition
Family history records and research service.
Use Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge to access.
During the Covid-19 closures home access to
Ancestry Library Edition is temporarily available to City of Sydney Library members. - Australian Financial Review
Articles from the Australian Financial Review (2013+). Text only. - ANZ Newsstream
Australian and New Zealand newspaper articles. Text only. - Australia/NZ Points of View Reference Centre
A series of essays, overviews and arguments on a range of topics. - Australia/NZ Reference Centre
Australian and New Zealand journal and newspaper articles. - The Australian
Articles from the Australian (2001+). Text only. - Be Connected
Learn the basics of using digital devices and engaging with the internet with a series of free online lessons. An Australian government initiative. - Britannica Library Edition
Encyclopaedia Britannica online. - Building Code of Australia
The national construction code is now freely available online.
Register at Australian Building Codes Board. - Business Book Summaries
Concise summaries of business and management related books. Audio versions are also available. - Business Source Complete
Journal articles on a range of business and management topics. Includes Harvard Business Review (1922+). - Consumer Health Complete
Health and medical information from encyclopaedias, reference books, magazines and journals. - Coronavirus Research Database
Open-access articles from leading publishers on Covid-19 and other coronaviruses. - The Daily Telegraph
Articles from the Daily Telegraph (2001+). Text only. - Dragonsource 龙源电子期刊
Chinese language database with over 2,000 titles (e.g. Zhongguo xin wen zhou kan, Shang jie, Shou hou). 超过2000种期刊(例如:中国新闻周刊、商界、收获等等)。
可选简体字和繁体字,可以全文查索。(输入借书证号码 -无须输入间隔) - Drug Info
Free information about drugs, alcohol and the law.
(No login or password required) - Ebsco Public Library eBook Collection
A collection of ebooks to read online or to download. Includes non-fiction and fiction titles for adults and children. - Good Reading Magazine
Digital magazine and online hub for Australian book lovers. Book reviews, author interviews and more. - Goodreads
Find book reviews and recommendations on this popular free website. - Greenfile
Journal and newspapers articles on climate change, green building, sustainability, renewable energy, recycling and more. - Harvard Business Review
Text and PDF versions of articles from Harvard Business Review (1922+). - Heritage buildings database
Search the NSW heritage inventory database with listings for more than 20,000 heritage buildings and items on statutory lists in Sydney and NSW.
(No login or password required) - History Reference Centre
Full-text history reference database designed for schools and public libraries. - Hobbies and crafts
Magazines and books on a wide range of hobbies and crafts. - Find Legal Answers
Free legal information for the community of NSW. Includes online books such as the Law Handbook, Neighbours and the Law, Rest Assured, Tenants’ Rights Manual, and the Family Law Handbook.
(No login or password required) - Literary Reference Centre Plus
Information on authors and their works. Includes critical essays, articles, plot summaries, biographies and the full text of classic works. - Mango Languages
Learn a new language on your PC, smart phone or tablet. Choose from over 70 languages or improve your English skills. - MasterFILE Complete
Journal articles and reference books on a wide range of topics. - NoveList Plus
Find your next read. Search for authors, titles, series, plots or use the ‘read-a-like’ feature. - ProQuest ANZ Newsstream
Australian and New Zealand newspaper articles. Text only. - Proquest Research Library
Journal and magazine articles on wide range of topics. - Quick Search
Access a number of databases in a single search (Australia/NZ Reference Centre, Business Source Complete, MasterFILE Complete, Academic Search Premier, History/Science/Literary Reference Centres and Consumer Health Complete). - Research Starters – Business
Concise business topic summary articles written by researchers, scholars and other subject matter experts. - Sands Sydney Directory
Search Sands Sydney Directory (1859–1932) for Sydney householder and business names.
(No login or password required) - Science Reference Centre
Science and technology articles, reference books, experiments, images and other resources. - SpineOut
An Australian online magazine for young adults focusing on books, writing, art and music. - Statistics (City of Sydney)
Demographic and economic statistics for the City of Sydney local government area.
(No login or password required) - The Sydney Morning Herald (1830–1989)
Free incomplete print replica archive (1830–1989).
(No login or password required) - The Sydney Morning Herald (1842–1954)
The National Library of Australia’s searchable archive of scanned Australian newspapers, including the Sydney Morning Herald (1842–1954).
(No login or password required) - The Sydney Morning Herald Archive (1955–1995)
Print replica version, including images and classifieds. To login use the following steps:
- Login to the library catalogue (green box on top menu bar)
- Select SMH Archive on the top menu bar.
- The
Sydney Morning Herald (1999+)
Articles from the Sydney Morning Herald (1999+). Text only. - The Sydney Morning Herald (2006+)
Print replica version, including images and classifieds. To login use the following steps:
- Login to the library catalogue (green box on top menu bar)
- Select SMH 2006+ on the top menu bar.
- Trove Australia
Combined catalogue of Australian library collections: books, images, historic newspapers, reports and more.
(No login or password required) - Wentworth Courier
Articles from The Wentworth Courier (2011+). Text only. - Who Next?
A discovery guide that helps children find new authors to read based on those they have enjoyed reading previously. - Who Else Writes Like...?
A discovery guide to help you find authors that write in a similar genre or style to your favourites.
- ABI/Inform Collection
- Ancestry Library Edition
Family history records and research service.
Use Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge to access.
During the Covid-19 closures home access to
Ancestry Library Edition is temporarily available to City of Sydney Library members. - Choice Online
Investigates and reports on consumer issues in Australia.
See staff for access.
- Ancestry Library Edition
Your City of Sydney Library card can now provide access to a selection of State Library of NSW online research resources.