Online Resources (Public Databases)
The library subscribes to several online resources that are available at no charge to you anywhere and anytime with a personal computer and Internet access. The following key explains how patrons may access these sites outside the library:
- Books and Reading
- Business and Marketing Resources
- Career and Resume Resources
- Homework and Learning
- Legal Resources
- Local History and Genealogy
- Research Databases
- Tech Help and Computer Literacy
Your library card number can be found under the barcode on the back of your library card, and your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is the last four digits of your card number.
Federal Government Resources
Freeport Public Library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)
Access the Federal Depository Library Basic Collection for more information about “the workings and essential activities of the Federal Government.”
Access World News
Find global information on topics related to business, education, the environment, health, international issues, jobs and careers, politics and government, social issues, sports, STEM and more including newspapers, videos and web-only content featuring the Freeport Journal-Star, Chicago Sun-Times, Rockford Register Star, USA Today, and international sources.
PrairieCat Online Library Catalog
PrairieCat is the library online catalog. PrairieCat will help you locate all types of materials quickly and easily. Millions of items are listed in one shared catalog. It can be used to locate materials, place holds on materials from any library in the regional system, or check on your library account.
OMNI Libraries
Download great e-book or e-audio book titles day or night – your library never sleeps! Listen to them on your MP3 player or transfer them to a compatible e-reader. Omnilibraries is a consortium of Northwest Illinois libraries offering a combined collection of e-book and e-audiobook downloadable resources. These are only available to Freeport library cardholders.
Novelist Plus
Looking for a good book? NoveList Plus includes thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, author readalikes, award winners, book discussion guides, articles, recommended reads, and features that allow you to search by author, title, series, plot, and genre.
Novelist K-8 Plus
Novelist K-8 Plus offers lots of ways for young readers to find great fiction titles, with thousands of book reviews and features that allow them to search by plot, setting, series name, and favorite authors and titles. The “Teacher Resources” tab includes lots of useful material for teachers and media specialists.
Illinois State Archives
This is a free site on Illinois history or genealogy. It lists Civil War and other Military Records, Public Domain Land Tract Sales, IL Statewide Marriage Index 1763 – 1900, IL Statewide Death Index Pre-1916, IL Statewide Death Index 1916 – 1950.
HeritageQuest Online
HeritageQuest OnlineTM combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with access to selected U.S. Federal Census Records (1790-1930); thousands of family and local history books; and a comprehensive subject index of over 1.6 million genealogy and local history articles.
Journal Standard Archives
Search the archives of the Freeport Journal-Standard from 2002 – current. You can browse today’s news or search for stories, obituaries, sports, columns, and more. Available from home or inside the library.
eReading Room for Teens
Download teen-friendly e-book or e-audio book titles day or night – your library never sleeps! Listen to them on your MP3 player or transfer them to a compatible e-reader. These are available only to Freeport library cardholders.