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+).
- Ancestry Library Edition
  Family history records and research database.
  Use Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge to access.
  For use on library branch computers only.
- Australian Financial Review
  Articles from the Australian Financial Review. Text only 1987+. Page image 2020+. Also available via ABI/Inform, text only 2013+.
- The Australian
  Articles from the Australian. Text only 1998+. Page image 2020+.
- 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.
- Business Source Complete
  Available to City of Sydney Library members at the State Library of New South Wales.
- Choice Online
  Investigates and reports on products, services and consumer issues in Australia. For use on library computers only. Please see staff for access.
- Coronavirus Research Database
- Open-access articles from leading publishers on Covid-19 and other coronaviruses.
- The Daily Telegraph
  Articles from the Daily Telegraph, Sydney. Text only 1998+. Page image 2020+.
- 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.
- The Economist
  Text only 1992+ and page image articles 2018+.
- The Economist (Asia Pacific edition)
  Page image version 2021+.
- 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)
- Gale databases library
  One stop shop access to a suite of Gale research databases including Gale Health & Wellness, OneFile News, Gale Literature, Gale Business, Gale in Context and more.
- 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.
- Harvard Business Review
  Available to City of Sydney Library members at the State Library of New South Wales.
- 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)
- Library PressReader
  Thousands of newspapers and magazines from around the world in over 60 languages.
- LinkedIn Learning
  Access over 16,000 micro and in-depth courses in areas of software, technology, creative and business skills.
- Mango Languages
  Learn a new language on your PC, smart phone or tablet. Choose from over 70 languages or improve your English skills.
- National Geographic Virtual Library
  Access the entire collection of the iconic National Geographic Magazine (1888+) along with a collection of books, maps, images and videos. Explore the world without leaving home.
- NewsBank
  A collection of full text newspapers from over 170 countries. There are over 600 Australian newspaper titles including page image and versions of The Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph and The Australian, the Australian Financial Review.
- NoveList Plus
  Find your next read. Search for authors, titles, series, plots or use the ‘read-a-like’ feature.
- Proquest Research Library
  Journal and magazine articles on wide range of topics.
- Reader Room – Standards Australia
  Limited access to Australian Standards for non-commercial purposes. Users get three tokens annually which allow access to individual standards for 24 hours at a time, at no cost.
- Sands Sydney Directory
  Search Sands Sydney Directory (1859–1932) for Sydney householder and business names.
  (No login or password required)
- 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 (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.
- The Sydney Morning Herald via Newsbank
  Text only version 1986+ and page image version 2018+.
- 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. To log in, type ‘COSL-’ before your library card number.
- Who Else Writes Like...?
  A discovery guide to help you find authors that write in a similar genre or style to your favourites. To log in, type ‘COSL-’ before your library card number.
Arts, crafts and hobbies
- Gale OneFile: Fine Arts
  Search articles about drama, music, art history, and filmmaking.
Books, reading and literature
- Gale Books & Authors
  Search and match reading interests to books, authors, genres or topics.
- Gale Literature Resource Centre
  Find up-to-date biographies, overviews, full-text criticisms, audio interviews, and reviews on writers from all eras.
- 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.
- NoveList Plus
  Find your next read. Search for authors, titles, series, plots or use the ‘read-a-like’ feature.
- Who Next?
  A discovery guide that helps children find new authors to read based on those they have enjoyed reading previously. To log in, type ‘COSL-’ before your library card number.
- Who Else Writes Like...?
  A discovery guide to help you find authors that write in a similar genre or style to your favourites. To log in, type ‘COSL-’ before your library card number.
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. Text only 1987+. Page image 2020+. Also available via ABI/Inform, text only 2013+.
- Business Source Complete
  Available to City of Sydney Library members at the State Library of New South Wales.
- The Economist
  Text only 1992+ and page image articles 2018+.
- The Economist (Asia Pacific edition)
  Page image version 2021+.
- Gale Business Insights: Global
  Compare global economies, countries, and industries with in-depth analysis on over 400,000 companies.
- Harvard Business Review
  Available to City of Sydney Library members at the State Library of New South Wales.
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.
Family History
- Ancestry Library Edition
  Family history records and research database.
  - Use Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge to access
  - For use on library branch computers only.
Health
- 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.
- Gale Health & Wellness
  Access full-text medical journals, magazines, reference works, multimedia, and much more.
History
- City of Sydney Archives
  Online access to the City of Sydney’s unique collection of images, documents, plans, maps and more.
- Gale in Context: World History
  Uncover information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in world history from a variety of sources.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reader Room – Standards Australia
  Limited access to Australian Standards for non-commercial purposes. Users get three tokens annually which allow access to individual standards for 24 hours at a time, at no cost.
Multi-subject research databases
- Ebook Central
  ebooks in a wide range of subject areas.
- Gale General OneFile
  Access news, magazine and journal articles on a wide range of topics, plus videos and reference ebooks.
- Gale in Context: Global Issues
  Analyse global issues and events through topic overviews, international viewpoints, news and multimedia content.
- Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints
  Find overviews, news, and opinions on hundreds of today’s important social issues.
- Gale Power Search
  Search across the In Context and Gale OneFile databases.
- Library PressReader
  Thousands of newspapers and magazines from around the world in over 60 languages.
- NewsBank
  A collection of full text newspapers from over 170 countries. There are over 600 Australian newspaper titles including page image and versions of The Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph and The Australian.
- Proquest Research Library
  Journal and magazine articles on wide range of topics.
- 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.
- LinkedIn Learning
  Access over 16,000 micro and in-depth courses in areas of software, technology, creative and business skills.
- 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
- Gale in Context: Environmental Studies
  Understand environmental issues that affect people globally through topic overviews, journals, news and multimedia content.
- Gale in Context: Science
  Understand context for hundreds of science topics through overviews, journals, news, interactive experiments and more.
- Gale Interactive: Science
  Manipulate 3D interactive models to visualise and understand concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science.
- Gale OneFile: Information Science
  Access articles covering all aspects of managing and maintaining information.
- National Geographic Virtual Library
  Access the entire collection of the iconic National Geographic Magazine (1888+) along with a collection of books, maps, images and videos. Explore the world without leaving home!
Social Sciences
- Gale OneFile: Diversity Studies
  Access articles exploring cultural differences, contributions, and influences in the global community.
- Gale OneFile: Psychology
  Search articles covering all fields of psychology.
- Gale OneFile: Religion and Philosophy
  Research the impact of religion and philosophy throughout history.
Statistics
- Statistics (City of Sydney)
  Demographic and economic statistics for the City of Sydney local government area.
  - No login or password required.