Databases
Need info you can trust? The Library is always OPEN online! And you can be as loud as you want!
The library has a subscription to databases that you can access anytime, anywhere!
Visit your Student Portal for the databases below,
click on SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE when you arrive on the database home page,
there's no password needed!
Downey City Library Databases
Entertainment
Stream more than 30,000 independent and documentary films, as well as television show. Kanopy has films from The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Media Education Foundation and thousands of independent filmmakers. Kanopy also includes a dedicated Kid’s Channel which includes amazing content for children, including Sesame Street.
Have fun taking a course on the science of natural healing, America during the Guilded Age, or an everyday guide to beer. With over 700 subject matter specialists hailing from the best universities and institutions, The Great Courses is bound to have a lesson series that will spark your need for knowledge. All courses are available for free through Kanopy.
Job Skills
Take courses from major universities on a wide range of subject areas, including - Biology, Computer Science, Finance, Humanities, Social Sciences and more. Coursera partners with more than 200 companies and universities to provide online learning where you can earn certificates and take part in degree programs. Fill out the form to get started.
Sometimes it is hard to ask for help. Brainfuse VetNow lets you connect anonymously with a veteran to get help figuring out VA benefits and other services: whether it’s tackling a resume, writing a cover letter, navigating the VA system, or adjusting to a civilian career.
Learn new skills, connect with others and unlock new life experiences. GetSetUp has a catalog of over 500 live classes in a variety of languages to help individuals 55+. Class topics range from: Technology (computers, smartphones) Physical Health (exercise, healthy cooking), Mental Health (stress, meditation, dementia), Social Health (book club, gardening, pets) an Vocational Health (resume writing, interviewing).
Learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Linkedin Learning (formerly Lynda.com) offers unlimited access to over 100,000 high-quality, current, and engaging training programs on almost any program imaginable, including business software like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) design applications such as Adobe's Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, etc.) and more.
Test and build your computer skills in key areas. Northstar Digital Literacy offers online assessments and courses for people with no, low, or limited technology skills. Get help meeting basic computer digital literacy standards such as using email, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, social media and career search skills.
These resources / this resource is available thanks to funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
Find inspiration and take the next step in your creative journey. Skillshare offers thousands of inspiring classes for creative and curious people. Classes are taught by working professionals on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more.
This resource is available thanks to funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. The last day to redeem a Skillshare seat for 12 months access is September 30th, 2023.
Classroom Help
Explore reliable articles on a variety of topics such as biographies, geography, science and health. Explora Primary features topic overviews that provide students with a starting point for research and several other tools to help them with their homework.
Research reliable articles on a variety of academic topics such as history, current issues, business and government. Explora Secondary features a simple search that quickly delivers relevant results and other features that make research work easier such as citation styles.
Tackle difficult homework problems, get assistance writing your paper and study for the SAT. HelpNow is an all-in-one tutoring service that features live expert tutors on multiple subjects, practice tests on all levels of math, reading, and writing, as well as study session features so you can work with friends in private virtual study rooms.
Plan for your future career, prepare for college, learn how to success in high school and more. LearningExpress platforms provide a comprehensive selection of educational resources—including interactive tutorials, practice exams, flashcards, articles and e-books—for basic skills mastery, academic success, job preparation, and career advancement.
Research and Reference
Get everyday “how-to” instructions on addressing business law, financial planning, family law, property & real estate and more. The Legal Information Reference Center provides more than 310 full-text publications and thousands of legal forms, many of which are provided through Nolo, the nation's oldest and most-respected provider of legal information for consumers and small businesses.
Full-text magazines, reference books and other highly-regarded sources from the world's leading publishers, all at your fingertips. Ebsco’s Discovery Service will help you find information on any topic via a simple search system.
Get a personal guide to debating, developing arguments, writing position papers, and developing critical thinking skills. Points of View Reference Center helps you get a view from across the aisle with essays that include a series of questions and additional material to further discussion.
Learn about everyday consumer health care such as ageing, substance abuse, diseases, pregnancy, obesity, and more. Consumer Health Complete provides convenient access to easily understandable health and medical information that you can search and browse within medical encyclopedias, popular reference books, and magazine articles.
Learn about your medications, symptoms and causes, human genetics, healthy recipes, and more. MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their loved ones, serviced by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, and a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Get in-depth analyses, ratings and reviews, and recommendations on a wide range of products and services such as cars, electronics, fitness, food, baby’s health and more using EBSCO’s discovery service. Consumer Reports is an independent, non-profit organization that uses rigorous research, consumer insights, journalism and policy expertise to help users make informed purchases.
Do-it-Yourself
Learn engine component locations, how to inspect your timing belt, the correct type of lubricant for your transmission, and much more. Auto Repair Source is powered by the automotive experts at MOTOR and provides the most accurate, authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles.
Language Learning
Test your fluency, both literally and vocally, and unlock the ability to speak to anyone in their native language. Rosetta Stone provides an intuitive and interactive learning experience that matches images with words and measures the accuracy of your spoken pronunciations, available on a wide variety of devices including smartphones.
Rosetta Stone may require a Namespace ID upon creating an account on your mobile device. The Library’s Namespace ID s3542910