Research Databases
If you need assistance with a special research project, please see our Research Requests page.
Recommended Databases
Ancestry, Library Edition: (in-library use only via library computers or Wi-Fi) Ancestry is a genealogy research tool that includes US Census, birth and death records, military records and much more.
AskMN: an online service for information and research help available to all Minnesota residents and students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. AskMN is a cooperative service of Minnesota libraries.
Black Freedom Struggle in the U.S.: expertly selected open primary source documents from specific time periods in U.S. history marked by the opposition African Americans have faced on the road to freedom.
Dalby Database: cemetery records for Southeastern Minnesota as well as an index to some local newspapers, church records, and a number of Minnesota history books.
Digital Public Library of America: explore items from libraries, archives & museums across America.
eBooks Minnesota: eBooks Minnesota is a collection of online books that covers a wide variety of subject areas and features content from our state’s independent publishers.
eLibrary Minnesota: access to an extensive list of databases including LearningExpress Library, Britannica Online, eBook Collection from EBSCO, Health Source, MasterFile Premier (magazines), Points of View Reference Center, Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and Wall Street Journal.
Europeana: Europe’s digital library.
FamilySearch: an international, nonprofit organization, genealogy research tool.
Fantastic Fiction: search and browse bibliographies of over 50,000 bestselling fiction authors, with the latest books and series information.
LearningExpress Library: courses on computer skills, college prep, occupational exams, resume writing, and much more.
Library of Congress American Memory Project: free and open access to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience.
Live Lingua Project: free language courses of 150+ languages and dialects.
Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub: area newspapers from Goodhue, Fillmore, Rice, Olmsted, Freeborn, Wabasha, and Steele Counties along with cities all across the state.
Minnesota Digital Library: a collection of more than 135,000 images, maps, and documents from more than 150 of the state’s cultural heritage organizations.
Minnesota Publications: from the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
Minnesota Statutes, Session Laws and Rules: from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes for the State of Minnesota.
MnLink: search libraries throughout Minnesota. Please check the SELCO catalog first as only items that are not listed there may be requested via MnLink (MnLink FAQ sheet (PDF)). Login using your library card number and PIN.
SELCO Library Catalog: search our shared online catalog with libraries in southeastern Minnesota. How to Browse the Collection Virtually (YouTube Video)
SELCO Newspaper Index: indexes selected date ranges of newspapers from Albert Lea, Austin, Northfield, Red Wing, and Stewartville.
United States Government Accountability Reports: nonpartisan reports on government operations by topic.
United States Government Publishing Office: access to United States government publications.
What Should I Read Next?: enter a book you like and the site will analyse our huge database of real readers’ favorite books to provide book recommendations and suggestions for what to read next.
Winona Newspaper Project: online archive of the four Winona city newspapers spanning from 1855 through 1976. Presented by the Winona State University Darrell W. Krueger Library with the support of the Minnesota Historical Society and the cooperation of the Winona County Historical Society.
Winona Public Library Collection, Minnesota Digital Library: browse WPL’s contribution to the Minnesota Digital Library of historical library documents, photographs, blueprints, Kenyon Cox sketches, and the original library board minutes dating back to 1866.
WorldCat: catalog of books and other materials in libraries worldwide.