News & Information

Find answers to all of your questions here with these curated information sources.

Access to magazines, journals, newspapers and media.

New York Times in front of a microphone

You have free access to New York Times Audio, courtesy of Berkeley Public Library.

New York Times Audio is a new app featuring audio journalism and storytelling on everything from world events to what to cook.

Activate your free News access today:

And then download New York Times Audio to start listening!

JSTOR

JSTOR is a digital library of academic journals, books, images, and primary sources.
With one search on JSTOR you can find academic research in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

How to Use JSTOR

With ARTSTOR you can explore collections of images and primary sources from libraries, museums, and archives around the world. Discover new avenues of research and gain deeper understanding of your topics with original materials including artworks, photographs, publications, recordings, and other artifacts

Press Reader App

Get unlimited access to more than 7,000 of the world’s top newspapers and magazines as soon as they’re available on shelves.
Select titles include:

  • The Guardian
  • Bloomberg Businessweek
  • Newsweek
  • Daily Mail
  • Economist
  • L'Équipe
  • Der Tagesspiegel
  • Libération
  • China Daily
  • La Razon
  1. Download the PressReader app
  2. Or go directly to the PressReader website.
  3. Click Sign In and then Library or Group
  4. Search and select Berkeley Public Library
  5. Enter your library card information

No limits on downloads. They're yours to keep forever.

New York Times

Click here for a code you can use for unlimited 72 hour access to the New York Times online. Once you redeem this code, please sign up for a free account on NYTimes.com using a valid email address. Click "Register Now" to sign up and create an account with your personal email address, or, if you already have a NY Times account, log in. Return here any time to renew your free 24 hour access. 

For unlimited access on The Library's WiFi, you must sign up for a free account on NYTimes.com, using a valid email address. Click Register Now to sign up and create an account with your personal email address, otherwise, log in if you already have a NY Times account.

Activate your access to New York Times Cooking
Mealtime inspiration. Diverse recipes. Dynamic guides. Enjoy access to The New York Times Cooking, courtesy of Berkeley Public Library
Activate your complimentary access today.

Activate your access to New York Times Games
Games you can feel good about-including the iconic Crossword. Enjoy access to the New York Times Games, courtesy of Berkeley Public Library
Activate your complimentary access today.

two portable devices with recepies

Activate your access to New York Times Cooking

Mealtime inspiration. Diverse recipes. Dynamic guides.
Enjoy access to The New York Times Cooking, courtesy of Berkeley Public Library
Activate your complimentary access today. Return here for another 24 hours of New York Times Cooking.

For unlimited access on The Library's WiFi, you must sign up for a free account on NYTimes.com, using a valid email address. Click Register Now to sign up and create an account with your personal email address, otherwise, log in if you already have a NY Times account.

portable device with crossword puzzle

Activate your access to New York Times Games

Games you can feel good about-including the iconic Crossword
Enjoy access to the New York Times Games, courtesy of Berkeley Public Library
Activate your complimentary access today. Return here any time to renew your free 24 hour access.

For unlimited access on The Library's WiFi, you must sign up for a free account on NYTimes.com, using a valid email address. Click Register Now to sign up and create an account with your personal email address, otherwise, log in if you already have a NY Times account.

The Washington Post

Click here for 7 days of unlimited access.  You will be asked to register for an account with your email address.  After 7 days you may return for an additional 7 days.

Wall Street Journal on laptop, tablet and mobile devices

Easy access to The Wall Street Journal online

Users outside the library will need to create a free account, after which access will be available for the next 3 days. For future 3-day access, click the above link again and log in to your account.

Access includes:
• digital versions of the print editions
• the WSJ Magazine
• profiles, financials, and research & ratings of thousands of companies
• U.S., Asia, Europe, India, China, and Japan editions
Search defaults to searching the last 90 days' worth of WSJ articles; advanced search lets you search the last four years.

San Francisco Chronicle

Access the full text of the San Francisco Chronicle, from 1985 to present.

Academic OneFile

Features peer-reviewed full-text scholarly content across the academic disciplines. With millions of articles available in both PDF and HTML full-text, Academic OneFile is both authoritative and comprehensive, a terrific first-stop for research.

Includes full-text New York Times back to 1995.

Data Axle Reference Solutions

Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) provides basic information on more than 24 million businesses and more than 262 million consumers in the US and Canada.

  • Search for jobs, location, and industry
  • Find new business opportunities
  • Research executives & companies worldwide
  • Track down addresses and phone numbers
  • Locate out-of-town companies
  • Profile a neighborhood, city or state

This video will show you more!

Gale Health & Wellness

Research a wide range of health issues here. You can look up medications, explore various diseases and conditions, and find information from the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.

Explora

Research magazine for full-text articles.

 

Find information here about:

Arts & Literature

Biography

Business and Careers

Current Events

Geography and Culture

Health

History and Social Science

Science and Math

Consumer Reports

ConsumerReports.org is the world's largest nonprofit product-testing organization and has been helping subscribers find better, safer products for 80+ years. In addition to thousands of product ratings and reviews of appliances, electronics and more, you will find in-depth advice, tips and trends written by Consumer Reports experts.
ConsumerReports.org includes Consumer Reports with Cars Best Deals Plus® to assist consumers looking for reliable information on new and used cars. Additionally, ConsumerReports.org features extensive health content from Consumer Reports Online Health, a trusted and unbiased source of information designed to help consumers navigate the health care labyrinth.
Content includes:

  • Money-saving advice and tips
  • Product ratings
  • Product reviews
  • Recommendations
  • Buying advice
Consumers Checkbook

From auto repair shops to doctors to plumbers to vets,  Checkbook helps you find the best local services—and avoid the worst.

The community comprises dedicated staff, who research prices and provide consumer advice, and thousands of members, who write reviews and provide ratings based on their real-life experiences.  Consumers' Checkbook never takes money from the reviewed companies so you can rely on the site to be independent and objective.

Biography in Context

Research more than 525,000 famous people from the past and present. Find images, audio files, excerpts from primary sources such as newspapers and speeches, and other resources.

Britannica Library

Use this online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica to conduct research and work on special projects. You can even store your research in your own personal My Britannica account. 

Start with the encyclopedia and then move on to current magazines, recommended Web sites, an atlas, biographies, news, and more.

Watch this video to learn more about Britannica.

Chilton Auto and Truck Repair

Access repair, service and recall information for your car or truck.  Find detailed manuals and diagrams for vehicles and labor estimating tools as well as ASE test prep for certification exams and get that car purring again.

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Searchable reference books provide online access high quality information for students and other researchers. Topics covered include Business, Education, Film, Health, History, Law, Philosophy, Religion, Science and Social Sciences.

newsbank

Full-text access to Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Berkeley Voice, East Bay Times, San Jose Mercury News, and West County Times, and hundreds of newspapers throughout the U.S. Also features Hot Topics such as politics, business, health, sports, cultural activities and people. Its diverse source types include printed and online newspapers, blogs, journals, newswires, broadcast transcripts and videos

Oxford English Dictionary

An authoritative guide to the English Language, featuring the meaning, history, usage, and pronunciation of words. The online version of the Oxford English Dictionary contains the complete text of the 20-volume 2nd edition and all work to date on the 3rd edition including regular updates and revisions. Research over 1000 years of English through entries for 600,000 words.

 

APS logo of the letters APS with an orbiting electron or planet

 

in library access only to all online APS journals,  from the most recent articles back to the first issue in 1893, a collection including over 400,000 scientific research papers.

Digitallearn logo
 
If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, we have the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.
 
Learn how to do basic searches, use email, explore Facebook and more!
 
Libby

Overdrive provides a large and ever-growing collection of ebooks and digital audiobooks. Download the free Libby app, or visit the website libbyapp.com  then listen or read on your device. Please see this page for support. 

SimplyE can be used for Overdrive eBooks.

BPL card holders can now check out up to ten Overdrive items simultaneously!

Note: Libby's minimum iOS is iOS 10.

NOTE: OverDrive is not available through our OPAC terminals. Check out a Chromebook at any branch to use this resource.

Kanopy is now accessible through the Extras section on the Libby app. 

NOTE: The OverDrive app is no longer available.
Libby help: How-to videos and step-by-step instructions on Libby Help explain how to use the app.
Transition to Libby overview page: This informational page for users includes an overview about this change, FAQs, and training opportunities.
Virtual training: Users can sign up for a virtual training session hosted by team OverDrive.

icon of courthouse

Access free legal information including:

Accident Claims

Bankruptcy

Buying a House

Divorce

Getting a Green Card

Human Resources

Living Trusts

Patents

Personal Injury

Rental Agreements

Selling a House

Wills

Includes access to many full-text Nolo books!

Also, download and print free Federal and State legal forms.

assortment of street signs

Hit the road with your new driver's license!  After you pass your test, of course...

Discover:

  • 11 car practice tests
  • 6 motorcycle practice tests
  • 3 CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) practice tests
  • 3 online driver’s manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL)
  • An FAQ section with detailed answers to 100+ DMV-related questions
an illustrated girl behind a book

Overdrive offers instant access to the latest issues of your favorite magazines. All Overdrive magazines are always available with no wait lists or holds to manage. 
More than 3,000 magazines available, including top titles like:

  • US Weekly
  • The New Yorker
  • National Geographic
  • Vanity Fair
  • Rolling Stone

There is also a large selection of magazines in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, German, French and more.

Magazines will check out for 21 days. You will have the option to renew a magazine within 3 days of the end of the lending period or you can borrow it again with no waiting.  Magazine use does not count against Overdrive checkout limits.

Download the free Libby app to read on your device. Please see OverDrive Magazine support.

BPL card holders can check out up to ten Overdrive ebooks and eaudiobooks simultaneously. SimplyE can be used for Overdrive ebooks and eaudiobooks.

NOTE: OverDrive/Libby is not available through our OPAC terminals. Check out a Chromebook at any branch to use this resource.

Gale Directory Library

Find content from titles like Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media, National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations and more. 

BPL Logo on the BIN background

Community resources: local organizations, agencies, services, non profits, clubs, in and around Berkeley.