Online Resources

Creativebug:  offers online video arts and crafts workshops and techniques. Learn how to paint, knit, crochet, sew, screen print, and more. (UMFPL)

BookFLIX: Watch videos and read books about animals, celebrations, nature, music, earth, family, community, & more! (PA)

Digital Citizenship: Start the conversation on how to navigate technology in a safe, responsible, and smart way with these age appropriate resources from Common Sense Media. (F)

Digital Storytime: UMFPL's YouTube Channel! (UMFPL)

Gale in Context Elementary: Find information on topics such as animals, arts, geography, health, literature, people, social studies, and technology (PA)

TumbleBooks: Moving, talking, picture books. Great for fun & for learning. (MontCo)

TRUE FLIX: Learn about people, places, history, & science with videos & eBooks (PA)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Citizen Resource Center: an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the U.S. naturalization and immigration system. Find government forms, resources, and more! (F)

Citizenshipworks: Citizenshipworks is a free online service that helps you apply for citizenship. They can identify potential problems with your application and connect you to expert help both online or in person. (F)

Constitution Center: Learn about Constitutional Rights, Origins, & Travels, and explore the Interactive Constitution!

Delaware Valley Consumer Checkbook: Find the best-rated auto shops, plumbers, banks, veterinarians, dentists, cleaners, and more. (UMFPL)

Data Axle Reference Solutions: Nationwide business and residential listings. (MontCo)

Driver-test.org: PA Department of Transportation's FREE Drivers Ed with up-to-date, comprehensive, driver's license tests and "exam simulators" for teens. (UMFPL)

Fueleconomy.gov: Features updated fuel economy data for new and used passenger vehicles dating back to 1984, side-by-side vehicle comparisons, and fuel saving tips. (F)

PA DMV: Website for the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles. (F)

Overdrive downloadable eBooks and Audiobooks: A leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, magazines, & audiobooks. From the classics to bestsellers to self-help with over 1,000 eBooks and more than 4,000 audiobooks! Download titles 24 hours a day from your home computer, or download the Libby App for your smartphone or tablet (MontCo)

hoopla: Download ebooks, movies, music, & more! (UMFPL)

Freading: An extensive and well-rounded collection offering hundreds of thousands of titles that can be read anywhere, on many difference devices. With this service there is guaranteed access to every item in their collection–there are never any waits and no need to place holds. Plus Apple and Andriod apps to take your books with you on the go! (UMFPL)

TumbleBooks: An online collection of TumbleBooks, animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love. TumbleBooks are created by taking existing picture books, adding animation, sound, music and narration to produce and electronic procure book which you can read, or have read to you. (MontCo)

Scholastic BookFlix via PowerLibrary: An online literacy resource that pairs classic fictional video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic. BookFlix reinforces core reading skills and introduces children to a world of knowledge andexploration. (PA)

eBooks on Ebscohost via PowerLibrary: Electronic books (eBooks) are available through this link. eBooks are full text searchable and available for use on personal computers in online formats. (PA)

Project Gutenberg: Offers over 36,000 free ebooks to download to your PC, Kindle, Android, iOS or other portable device. Choose between ePub, Kindle, HTML and simple text formats ebooks. (F)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is an independent agency of the United States federal government for environmental protection. (F)

Department of Energy and EPA Fuel Economy Guide: a free yearly publication created to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle. (F)

Ancestry: Start your genealogical research today and find your roots. (in-library access only) (MontCo)

FamilySearch: FamilySearch is a nonprofit family history organization dedicated to connecting families. Available at no cost this search tool has access to one of the largest collections of historical and genealogical data. (F)

My Heritage: This multilingual family history research database includes billions of historical documents from 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes, and additional resources that span the past five centuries. (PA)

PA Photos and Documents: Visit PA Photos and Documents to explore photographs and documents exploring African American History and Culture, Disability History, Latinx History and Culture, LGBTQIA+ History, Native American and Indigenous People's History and Culture, Religion and Spirituality, and Women's History. (PA)

BrainFuse JobNow: Live online help & online resources to guide you through the necessary tasks to get a job. (UMFPL)

National Career Development Association: NCDA provides programs and services for career development professionals and for the public involved with or interested in career development. (F)

Duolingo: Check out this free website offering over 30 language courses! (F)

Mango Languages: Learn more than 35 languages quickly and easily! (MontCo)

Transparent Online Language: You can learn any of the 120+ languages, including:

• American Sign Language
• English (ESL/ELL) learning content for speakers of over 30 languages
• 30+ endangered North American and world languages (with more added every year!)
• Practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing/typing with interactive lessons and courses
• Build and maintain your vocab with vocab-focused lessons and a strategic review system that keeps it all fresh
• Learn anytime, anywhere with mobile apps that include offline and hands-free modes
• Explore a wide range of interests through courses focused on travel, workplace language, and beyond
• (PA)

LawDepot via Libby: Create and download personalized legal documents online in minutes. Receive access to thousands of legal forms across all categories, including Real Estate, Business, Human Resources, Family, and more.  (UMFPL)

How to get started using LawDepot:

Download and open the Libby app, look for Extras and then select LawDepot to get your pass. You'll be taken out of Libby to get free access for 30 days through your library card and you can start downloading legal forms and documents. You can also access this service through your desktop browser by visiting libbyapp.com.

After you get access to LawDepot through the Libby app, it will appear on your Shelf. When it expires, you can easily renew your access again through Libby. LawDepot is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.

American Bar Association (Free Legal Answers): Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their civil legal question to their state's website. Users will then be emailed when their question receives a response. Attorney volunteers, who must be authorized to provide pro bono assistance in their state, log in to the website, select questions to answer, and provide legal information and advice. (F)

FindLaw.com: Research laws or find a lawyer with this large legal directory. (F)

LawHelp.org: provides referrals to local legal aid and public interest law offices, basic information about legal rights, court forms, self-help information, court information, links to social service agencies, and more in your state. (F)

Philadelphia Inquirer Online via Newsbank: A searchable full-text electronic edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1981 to the present. (MontCo)

Philadelphia Inquirer Historical Access: A searchable image edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1829-1922. (UMFPL)

America’s News Magazines:   Explore and stay informed on local and national topics, people and events in areas such as business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues and more. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources spanning the U.S., including [insert local title if applicable]. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device. (MontCo)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The U.S. health protection agency. Find information on healthy living, emergency preparedness, travel health, and more! (F)

MedlinePlus: Health Information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.  (F)

National Institutes of Health (NIH): U.S. government agency responsible for biomedical and public health research. (F)

PubMed: PubMed is a free search engine accessing primarily the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics. (F)

BookPage-Discover this month’s most exciting new books in the current issue of BookPage courtesy of UMFPL

Books and Authors- Discover fiction and non-fiction books that match your interests! (PA)

Goodreads-Find and read more books you'll love, and keep track of the books you want to read. (F)

LibraryThing- An online service to help people catalog their books easily. Because everyone catalogs together, LibraryThing also connects people with the same books, comes up with suggestions for what to read next. (F)

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. (F)

Ask Here PA: Chat with a live librarian 24/7. (PA)

PowerLibrary:  Access thousands of magazines, plus a wealth of materials for users of all ages.
This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and through Library Access Funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor. (PA)

Author Talks: Register for LIVE virtual author events from bestselling authors through the Library Speakers Consortium! (UMFPL)

Kanopy: On-Demand streaming video with over 30,000 films to choose from! (UMFPL)

YouTube: Check out UMFPL's YouTube Channel to stay up to date with what is going on at the Library! (F)

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The revenue service of the U.S. government. Find information, print forms, and access your records. (F)

VITA: The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Find a location today! (F)

AARP Foundation Volunteer Tax-Aide: find locations to receive free tax preparation help and filing to low- to moderate-income taxpayers. Sites are open annually from late January/early February to April 15. (F)

Scholastic Teachables: an online database of tens of thousands of searchable and printable educational materials. Teacher-authors create and vet thousands of high‑quality, ready‑to-use resources to save you countless hours of searching for reliable content! (MontCo)

Digitallearn.org: A Public Library Association curated collection of free course materials used for digital literacy courses, and self directed computer trainings. (F)

Generations on Line: Generations on Line can guide someone who has never touched a computer to learn to use the Internet, email, texting, video chat, photos, apps, smart devices and more! (F)

Universal Class: More than 500 online classes available at your pace & the time of your choosing. (F)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal agency that provides healthcare services to eligible military veterans at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics and offers several other non-healthcare related benefits. (F)

Montgomery County, PA Veterans Affairs: find information for Veterans living in Montgomery County, PA. (F)

Veterans Crisis Line: a free, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. Responders are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances. (F)