Research and homework databases

We provide access to premium online databases and learning resources.

My library

Research and learn

City of Sydney Library members have free online access to an extensive range of subscription e-journals, databases, online courses and other e-resources.

find journal articles for school or university assignments
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.

Most databases are available for use at home and at library branches. Those for in-library use only are indicated.

Unless otherwise noted, the login for 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, delayed by 3 days.
- 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+).
- Choice Online
  Investigates and reports on products, services and consumer issues in Australia. For use on library computers only. Please see staff for access.
- 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)
- Ebook Central
  ebooks in a wide range of subject areas.
- 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:
  1. Login to the library catalogue (green box on top menu bar)
  2. 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:
  1. Login to the library catalogue (green box on top menu bar)
  2. 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.
Arts, crafts and hobbies
- Hobbies and crafts
  Magazines and books on a wide range of hobbies and crafts.
Books, reading and literature
- 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.
- Literary Reference Centre Plus
  Information on authors and their works. Includes critical essays, articles, plot summaries, biographies and the full text of classic works.
- NoveList Plus
  Find your next read. Search for authors, titles, series, plots or use the ‘read-a-like’ feature.
- SpineOut
  An Australian online magazine for young adults focusing on books, writing, art and music.
- 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.
Business and management
- ABI/Inform Collection
  Business journal and newspaper articles, including articles from the Australian Financial Review (2013+) and Economist (1981+).
- Australian Financial Review
  Articles from the Australian Financial Review (2013+). Text only, delayed by 3 days.
- 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+).
- Harvard Business Review
  Text and PDF versions of articles from Harvard Business Review (1922+).
- Research Starters – Business
  Concise business topic summary articles written by researchers, scholars and other subject matter experts.
Consumer issues
- Choice Online
  Investigates and reports on products, services and consumer issues in Australia. For use on library computers only. Please see staff for access.
Encyclopaedias
- Britannica Library Edition
  Encyclopaedia Britannica online.
Health
- 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.
- Drug Info
  Free information about drugs, alcohol and the law.
  - No login or password required.
Family History
- 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.
History
- City of Sydney Archives
- 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.
- Sands Sydney Directory
  Search Sands Sydney Directory (1859–1932) for Sydney householder and business names.
  - 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:
  1. Login to the library catalogue (green box on top menu bar).
  2. Select SMH Archive 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.
Legal information
- 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.
- Building Code of Australia
  The national construction code is now freely available online.
  - Register at Australian Building Codes Board.
Multi-subject research databases
- Academic Search Premier
  Academic journal articles covering a wide range of topics.
- 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
- Ebook Central
  ebooks in a wide range of subject areas.
- 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.
- MasterFILE Complete
  Journal articles and reference books on a wide range of topics.
- Proquest Research Library
  Journal and magazine articles on wide range of topics.
- Quick Search
  Access several 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).
- The Sydney Morning Herald (2006+)
  Print replica version, including images and classifieds.
  1. Login to the library catalogue (green box on top menu bar)
  2. Select SMH 2006+ on the top menu bar.
Online learning
- 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. Sign-up to track your progress. No library card required.
- Mango Languages
  Learn a new language on your PC, smart phone or tablet. Choose from over 70 languages or improve your English skills.
Science and environment
- Greenfile
  Journal and newspapers articles on climate change, green building, sustainability, renewable energy, recycling and more.
- Science Reference Centre
  Science and technology articles, reference books, experiments, images and other resources.
Statistics
- Statistics (City of Sydney)
  Demographic and economic statistics for the City of Sydney local government area.
  - No login or password required.