How-to-use and help instructions for the library's online resources.
How do I sign up?
Click on the provided link and then sign in, in the top right hand corner and click library card sign in. Then just enter your Burlington Public library card number and you're on you're set!
AtoZ World Travel provides library customers with a single, easy-to-use resource on international travel. Including 202 world city travel guides! You can print this information and take it with you when your travel or access it remotely!
What do the travel guides include?
You can learn all about the:
- Different activities in your favourite cities around the world
- Find information about the climate and weather
- Local food
- Health information
- Local language(s) - including a video dictionary
- Information about local currency
- Maps
Please contact your local library branch for help or email AtoZ world travel at support@worldtradepress.com
- Access Science is the online version of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology with over 8,000 articles, definitions, biographies and current news articles for the world of science.
- Remote access is possible by visiting a library branch and downloading a Roaming Passport from the database to your personal device.
- A key resource for anyone doing genealogical or historical research, Ancestry Library Edition includes census information, vital records, immigration and military records, photos, maps, and gazetteers. Coverage with this resource includes Canada, the U.S., and the U.K, dating back in some instances to the early 13th century.
- Ancestry Library Edition is only accessible from library branches.
How do I sign up?
If you already have an RB Digital account such as the one you use to view magazines you can use the same username and login to access Artist Works for Libraries. If you don't already have an RB Digital account you will need to create an account to using an email address and a password. And of course you will need a valid BPL Library Card!
Who are the instructors?
Artistworks teachers bring many years of performing, recording and teaching experience to their online training courses. Instructors include world class musicians and Grammy winners!
What instruments can I learn?
Learn from many instruments including:
- Acoustic Guitar
- Banjo,
- Rock Guitar
- Ukulele
- Piano
- Art
- Harmonica
- Percussion
- Singing
- Electric Bass
- Mandolin
- Flute
- And many more!
This database provides the most accurate, authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. All content comes from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and include step by step repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labour estimates, service bulletins and recalls.
Information
What can I find here?
You can find information on car repairs and maintenance (including service bulletins and recall information), care and repair tips and troubleshooting car problems.
What years of cars are covered?
From 1974 to current year, both foreign and domestic.
How do I search for my car?
It's easy! Just put in the year, make and model and engine size and search for your car.
Where is this information coming from?
This database is powered by the automotive experts at MOTOR. MOTOR information Systems is the world's premier supplier of automotive data and has been since 1903.
Downloadable directory information on more than 1.5 million Canadian businesses, primarily in the wholesale, retail and manufacturing sectors. Great for Small Business Entrepreneur market research and sales prospecting.
Canadian Points of View Reference Centre
Canadian Points of View Reference Centre provides information on 100 key topics of interest to Canadian researchers, with an overview (objective, background, description), point (argument), counterpoint (opposing argument), and Critical Thinking Guide. Topics include the environment, human rights, race, substance abuse and many more.
This database includes leading Canadian periodicals and international periodicals in full text, full-text reference books, thousands of full-text biographies, and an image collection containing more than one million photos, maps and flags. The collection includes images from Canadian Press.
Consumer Health Complete is the single most comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. It is designed to support the information needs of patients, and to foster an overall understanding of health-related topics, from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
How do I sign in?
If using in the library there is no sign in. When using from home just sign in with your library card and PIN number.
- Many types of information available for both traditional and alternative medicine.
- Information included pamphlets, magazines, drug information sheets, herbal medicine sheets, videos and diagrams
- Do your search in over 25 different languages.
- Just click on a language from the drop down menu on the top right and all the information changes to that language.
- Full medical ebooks available
- Titles included Mayo Clinic Family Health Book ; Complete Guide to Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs and many more
Containing the latest evidenced-based health information, Multilingual Health Databases provide hundreds of reports for the most common health topics in both English and French. Each language is served by its own dedicated database featuring expertly translated full-text content to ensure accuracy of information. In addition, all aspects of the search experience (e.g., browsing, help, and interface features) are presented in the same language as the content for greater accessibility.
In addition to product ratings and reviews, users will find in-depth advice, tips and trends written by Consumer Reports experts. Frequently updated articles, blogs and video content allow consumers to peruse the latest consumer news — whether they’re looking to learn more about budget-friendly home improvement plans, understanding the benefits and risks of retirement options, or searching for the latest recalls of baby products.
Information
How do I sign up?
No sign up required to use the database. If using from home, you will need to enter your 14 digit BPL library card number.
What information do I find about products?
Product reviews provide current information including overviews, brand reliability, user reviews, ratings, specifications and pricing. It's easy to compare models to make an informed decision.
Are Canadian Ratings Available?
Yes, scroll to the bottom of the screen and Under Consumer Reports Network click on Canada Extra!
New! You can now stream 5 hours of music per day. Create your own playlist or stream from a Freegal playlist!
Information
How do I sign up?
All you need is your BPL library card and your 4 digit PIN.
What's the difference between downloading and streaming?
Downloading is capturing and keeping the file on a permanent basis. Streaming is accessing the file on a temporary basis, while being connected to the internet. Streaming gives you access to more music.
How many songs and videos can I download each week?
You can download 5 songs each week. Music videos can also be downloaded but they count as two downloads. So if you only have one download left for the week, you'll have to wait a week for the music video. Before downloading you can listen to a song clip. Anytime you click on the "Download" link, even if you decide to cancel, the download will count towards your weekly allotment. Once you download a song you can keep if permanently.
How much music can I stream?
Customers may stream up to 5 hours of music every day!
How do I get the Freegal Mobile App
f you have an Apple device (iPhone/iPad/iTouch), you will be able to download the Freegal App by doing a search for “Freegal Music” in the App Store. If you have an Android phone or tablet, you will be able to search for “Freegal Music” in the Google Play store. As a precaution, while many Android devices successfully run the Freegal Music app, not all Android devices are compatible.
Information
How do I sign up?
No need to sign up, just click enter and you will have access to this database.
What sort of information can I find?
This is a collection of primary documents such as photographs, letters, diaries and maps.
What subjects does this database include?
Subjects covered include:
- Colonialism and imperialism
- The American West
- Transnationalism
- Migration
- Economic history
- Indigenous Studies
- Social and Cultural History
- Historical geography
- Settler-cololonial studies
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Halton Community Services Directory
Search the Halton Community Services Directory online from your home or office 24/7.
Instantly borrow free digital movies, music and more 24/7 with your library card.
Bringing you hundreds of thousands of movies, full music albums, audiobooks and more, hoopla is a revolutionary digital streaming service.
From Hollywood blockbusters to best selling artists and authors – not just the hits, but the niche and hard-to-find as well – you’ll soon discover that hoopla provides you the freedom you've been searching for to experience, explore and enjoy what you want, when you want, and where you want. Simple to access and use, without the hassle of having to return the items you’ve borrowed, all you need is your library card, a web browser, smart phone or tablet to get started. The freedom you want is here, now.
This is a streaming collection, you must be connected to the internet to stream from hoopla. If using a smartphone or tablet/iPad it is possible to download for offline use.
How do I sign up?
To use hoopla all you need is your Burlington library card and a hoopla account. On your device search for "hoopla digital" for the free app from your device's app store. Click on sign up, tap on Burlington Public Library and continue following the steps to sign up. If using hoopla on a computer click sign up in the top right corner, after reading the information continue and pick Burlington Public Library, then enter your library card number, next create an account with hoopla with an email address. After you have signed up your login will work on both your device and your computer.
What are the loan periods?
Movies and television shows are signed out for 3 days, music for 7 days and audiobooks for 21 days.
How many titles may I borrow each month? 7 titles!
Can titles be downloaded?
This is a streaming service. On a computer all titles are streamed. If you are using a computer to watch movies you will need to install Google Widevine video player. If using through a device you do have the option to download to use offline, but keep in mind that downloading a movie can take a long time!
LearningExpress Library Canada
LearningExpress Library Canada is an online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial courses designed to help students of all ages succeed in areas of career preparation, math, science, reading/writing and in taking standard tests and entrance exams. You will find TOEFL tests, TOEIC, SAT and the Canadian Citizenship tests in this database. This resource includes immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of results.
How do I sign up?
It's easy to sign up! All you need is an email and a password.
What practice tests are available?
Practice tests are available for TOEFL IBT, SAT, GED, TOEIC, Canadian Citizenship and others.
This comprehensive full-text database provides a broad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and timeframes. It gives students, professors and researchers a foundation of literary reference works to meet their research needs.
Literature Criticism Online contains the cross-searchable full text of all volumes of Contemporary Literary Criticism and Shakespearean Criticism from the first publication to present.
Lynda.com is an online learning platform that offers a large video library of high quality courses. These courses are taught by industry experts in the areas of business, software, technology, and creative skills. Lynda.com can be used to achieve personal and professional goals.
Information
How do I sign up?
To sign up for Lynda.com all you need is your Burlington library card. You can access Lynda by clicking enter on this page, or by going to the lynda.com site and selecting “sign in with your organization”. Entering our organization name: bpl.on.ca.
To log in for the first time, enter your BPL library card number and PIN. You will then be prompted to add your name and email address.
Course Information
- You can search for courses by using the search bar at the top of the page or by scrolling over the Library tab. A drop down menu will appear with a variety of options to choose from.
- There are over 3,500+ courses which include more than 144,000 high quality video tutorials!
- Courses are labeled by skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, or appropriate for all) and vary in length. Some are quick introductions or tips on a topic, and some courses have multiple videos spanning several hours.
Is there an app?
Lynda.com does have an app for Apple and Android products. Once the app is downloaded to your device, select the option of "Already a member". Then select Organization login, using the Web portal login enter bpl.on.ca. This is will take you to page that asks you to sign in with your library card and pin, enter these and you're good to go!
Designed specifically for public libraries, this database provides full text for magazines, reference books and primary source documents. It also includes an extensive image collection containing photos, maps and flags.
myBlueprint is an inquiry based approach that follows a comprehensive education and career planning process that meets the learning needs, interests, and aspirations of all students.
This online educational planning tool helps students begin the process of exploring post secondary education and career choices. You can also build your resume and cover letter.
Access is available from the library or from home.
How do I sign up?
Click on the link or go to myBlueprint.ca, click sign up and enter the activation key: burlington and create account.
Is this right for me?
If you have asked yourself any of these questions, myBlueprint can help.
- Who am I?
- Who do I want to become?
- What are my opportunities?
- What are my plans to achieve my goals?
What can you do on myBlueprint?
- Discover what style of learning works best for you
- Narrow in on your areas of interest
- Set goals
- Explore careers
- Research and compare options after secondary school
- Build your resume and cover letter
What else do it include?
- Surveys to learn about yourself
- High school planner
- Post secondary developer
- Occupation Planner
- Create a Budget
- Create a portfolio
Contact myBlueprint at support@myblueprint.ca or by phone at 1-888-901-5505
NoveList K-8 Plus was developed by librarians and school media specialists, and is easy to use! Just type in an author, title or key words, or browse the database by age group, and you'll access a rich collection of titles, BookTalks, Recommended Reads book lists and more. You'll also find professional resources such as Grab-and-Go Book Lists--vetted lists of high-interest titles on a variety of curriculum-based topics and segmented by grade level. Use BookTalks to generate enthusiasm about reading, or peruse the Curricular Connections to find resources to help lead kids to books.
With information on over 250,000 fiction and readable nonfiction titles, and with feature content including lists of award-winning books, Book Discussion Guides, Book Talks, Recommended Reads and more, NoveList Plus is a complete readers' resource.
OneClickdigital offers digital audiobooks, including exclusive content from Recorded Books that is unavailable elsewhere, from all major publishers. Now available audiobooks from The Great Courses! Listen to some of the world's most engaging professors and their profound insights on a variety of subjects. Also available is a collection of classic ebooks. Mobile apps are available for both Apple and Android devices.
Information
How do I sign up?
First time users will need to create a username and password, provide an email address and other information. Returning users login with a username and password.
Is there software to download? Are there mobile apps available?
If you will be listening on a computer download OneClickdigital Media manager software available for either Windows or MAC computers. If using the ebooks Adobe Digital editions must be downloaded. Mobile apps are available for both Apple and Android products.
How long can I keep the books?
All books are checked out for 21 days, with 1 renewal possible. Holds can be placed. Many titles are multi-access, meaning that there is no limit to the number of customers who can use the title at one time. Some titles are one user at a time and holds are always possible on these titles.
Sign up for any one of the 8 available online book clubs and begin receiving daily excerpts from a different book each week. Each day we’ll send you a 5-minute excerpt and by the end of the week, you’ll have read 2-3 chapters! New books are featured each week--starting Monday.
How do I sign up?
Download Centre books are available in ebooks and eaudio formats. You will need a BPL library card to use our collection. As well depending on what device you choose to read or listen to your books apps will need to be installed.
How many books can I borrow and for how long?
You may borrow up to 10 items for up to 21 days. As well you may have up to 20 books on a holds list.
New! Check out ebooks and eaudio books from the BPL library catalogue!
Checkout and download your books directly from the library catalogue. Faster and more convenient and these checkouts and holds show up in your library account!
Libby offers Overdrive users a better user experience and all you need is your library card. The new app gives you full access to Burlington Public Library's Overdrive collection of ebooks and eaudiobooks which you can download for offline use. It only takes a few taps to find, borrow and enjoy! Libby is compatible with both android and Apple devices with iOS 9 or higher. Love the Overdrive app or can't download Libby? No problem! You can keep using the Overdrive app to access all our our econtent.
PowerKnowledge Science Suite online resources are specifically designed for students in grades 3 to 6. Comprised of curriculum based content, PowerKnowledge science databases promote digital literacy and 21st century learning skills while offering research, reports and homework help. Learn with the help of books, videos and games!
PowerKnowledge is 3 databases in 1, Life Science, Earth & Space Science and Physical Science. Switch from one database to the next in the top left hand corner.
PressReader provides instant online access to today's newspapers from around the world in full-colour, full-page format. The ever-expanding collection currently includes nearly 1,000 U.S. and international titles, including most major Canadian publications. Just like reading the familiar print edition, viewers can browse articles and other key content, such as pictures, advertisements, classifieds, and notices. The service also provides up to a 60-day backfile and the ability to perform keyword searches across all titles and the entire backfile.
You can use your library card to access Pressreader. Just enter through the link on this page, click Sign in, select the Library Card option, and choose Burlington Public Library from the drop down menu. Then just enter your library card number and pin and you're set! If you previously had an account with Pressreader created using your email address, and now create an account using your library card, you will have to add titles back into the "My Collections" feature, as this is a brand new account. To access your Pressreader account originally created using your email address, you will need to visit a branch of the Burlington Public Library and sign in to gain a 30 day hotspot pass.
Please note: The Globe & Mail has changed its access policy on Pressreader and users will no longer have access to The Globe & Mail Newspapers outside of the library. This means that to access the Globe & Mail through PressReader library customers will need to be onsite at the library.
Do I need to sign up?
Creating an account is easy, all you need is your BPL library card and pin. This allows you to take advantage of a much richer selection of features.
- Newspapers and magazines available in many other languages.
- Search for full newspapers and magazines by language, country and by date.
- Printing available.
It is possible to print full pages from this database?
This unlimited newsfeed is easy to browse; simply scroll right across the screen and new articles will appear in an easy-to-read horizontal stream called Smart Flow. Find an article that catches your eye? Just click on the article title or the little green arrow at the bottom of the article to reveal the full story.
Is there an App?
Yes, Pressreader does have an app available for Android and Apple. However, please note that you can only access the full content of Pressreader on the app by signing in at a BPL location.
RBDigital Magazines (formerly Zinio)
No more placing holds on your favorite magazines. Now Fully digital with unlimited access available from BPL… all viewable on your computer, tablet or mobile device! Titles from Car and Driver to Cosmopolitan to Chirp! Over 90 titles to choose from!
Information
How do I sign up?
As a first time set up will need to create a single account to checkout and read magazines. This just requires an email address and a password. And of course you will need a valid BPL Library Card!
How many magazines can you borrow and for how long?
There are no limits and you can keep the magazines for as long as you like.
Are there mobile apps available?
To enhance your magazine issue viewing experience, Apps are available for viewing magazines by downloading and reading offline. Download the new RBDigital App for iPad and Android. Download the RBDigital App for iPhone, Android, Kindle Fire/Fire HD, Windows 8, PC, MAC to get access to all your favourite magazines electronically.
How do I search for magazines?
You can search for specific titles or from the drop down list grouped by genres (subjects).
Check out our ebooks on online gaming, online security, social networking and more.
Research-based and experience-driven, Transparent Language Online is a language-learning program for libraries and their patrons that provides an effective, fun, and engaging experience for language learners of all levels. Available in over 80 languages. Mobile apps available for both iPhone and Android users Look for the Byki Community Edition, it's free!
How do I sign up?
First time users will need to create an account with a username, password and an email address. Once you have created your username and password you will use this to sign-in each time to use the database.
How many languages are available?
There are over 80 languages available including 15 for ESL learners.
Why is Transparent Language better?
Learn pronunciation, speech, grammar, writing and vocabulary with the Essential courses. Pronunciation and conversation practice. Record, playback and compare your speech to a real native speaker! Explore language and culture blogs. Join the online social communities.
TumbleBook Library is an interactive database for children to follow along as their favourite books come to life with graphics and sound in English, French, and Spanish!
Value Line provides stock reports and covers most actively traded U.S. exchange-listed stocks, small and mid-cap stocks, mutual funds, option, convertibles and special solutions. Whether you're a beginning investor or a veteran looking for high-impact ideas, Value Line can position you for financial success quickly and easily.
- You can print or download various documents from this database.
- It is available at our Central branch. Please visit the information desk for access.
- Please note this database is not available outside the Burlington Public Library Central Branch and has a 1 user limit. Users will also be signed out after 10 minutes of inactivity.
How do I sign up?
No need to sign up, visit the information desk on the second or third floor of our Central branch and staff will log you into to our account.
Accessing the Summary & Index (part 1), Selection & Opinion (part 2) and Ratings & Report (part 3)
To access the content Burlington Public Library previously had available in paper format at Central log in and then select Find Ideas on the toolbar and then select Model Portfolio. On the left hand menu under Products select Investment Survey and you can then access Parts 1, 2 and 3 as well as back issues.