One of America’s largest newspaper databases. Search a single newspaper including the Pantagraph, Illinois newspapers, or the entire collection of over 2,700 full-text news sources nationwide. Watch for more full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles, and content only published online to be added.
The world’s largest online collection of family history resources, home to more than 7 billion historical records, millions of family trees and much more.
Please note that this database is now temporarily available outside the library through September 30, 2021.
The Assisted Living Research Institute is an industry-leading research organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults by compiling comprehensive research, the latest studies and real-world insight from experts, caregivers and seniors into easy-to-understand, actionable guides and resources. You will start in a dedicated section that provides extremely well detailed and thorough information for families and senior citizens in the State of Illinois.
Listen to your favorite audio books with just a click of a button. Listen to books in many different categories, including fiction, non-fiction, children's, classics and even Spanish language. Books are always available and never on hold.
Create an account and use Beanstack anytime to track your reading. Families can all sign in under one account for easy tracking. Beanstack is used for our reading challenges, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Summer Reading, but you can use it to track your reading anytime!
Our library system, RAILS, has partnered with BiblioLabs to bring Normal Public Library patrons a library of e-books on the BiblioBoard platform. There is no limit on simultaneous use; items can be read by 1 or 100 patrons at the same time. This means no hold queues and no waiting for titles.
A curated selection of primary sources for teaching and learning about the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans, this resource is freely available on the internet and to libraries for anyone studying U.S. Black history. Created by ProQuest, this site consists of thousands of open primary sources.
Scholastic BookFlix is an online literacy resource that pairs classic video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build a love of reading and learning. The engaging way to link fact and fiction, BookFlix reinforces early reading skills and introduces children to a world of knowledge and exploration.
Brainfuse HelpNow is America’s premier online homework help and tutoring provider offering a unique tutoring and study suite backed by an industry-leading academic team. This service is available to assist students of any age achieve success and includes live online help from 2 pm to 11 pm every day in English and Spanish. Now offering live FAFSA help, too!
Brainfuse JobNow is a one-of-a-kind job coaching service designed to help people land the job of their dreams. Job seekers can prepare for interviews, receive resume help, search for local jobs and even receive live online help from 2 pm to 11 pm every day in English and Spanish.
Consumer Reports offers consumer news, reports on different products, recalls, safety information and much more.
Creativebug.com has more than 1,000 award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
The Digital Public Library of America brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives and museums and makes them freely available to the world.
Whichever type of motor vehicle you wish to operate or knowledge tests you need to pass, Driving Tests offers handbooks and practice tests to help you out. The questions on the practice tests resemble those on the official knowledge tests, so you will learn what to expect.
Duolingo is the best new way to learn a language. Learning with Duolingo is fun and addictive. Earn points for correct answers, race against the clock and level up. These bite-sized lessons are effective, and there is proof that it works.
eRead Illinois includes ebooks and audiobooks that can be borrowed through the Axis 360 app. Login with your library card and PIN to start browsing.
Instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theatres and other fun and local cultural venues.
FirstSearch is an online service that gives library and education professionals access to a rich collection of reference databases. FirstSearch also offers electronic access to more than 10 million full-text and full-image articles.
Freading offers thousands of downloadable eBooks with absolutely no waiting lists! All of their books are available at all times. We are sorry, but Freading eBooks are not compatible with the Kindle. For Kindle-compatible books, please use our Overdrive eBook service.
Search thousands of full-text books, preview the first several pages of lots of popular titles and even download full versions of books in the public domain for free. E-books are also available for purchase.
Learn more about Google Books.
Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. From one place you can search across many disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions, from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities and other web sites.
The Great Courses Library Collection is the leading global media brand for lifelong learning and personal enrichment, with hundreds of courses spanning thousands of in-depth video lectures on subjects like Science, Health & Wellness, and much more. Unlimited access is available to you when you use a 7-day pass to check out this digital product in the Libby App or on the Libby website - look for The Great Courses in the Extras section. You can also find access to The Great Courses in Kanopy.
Access family genealogies, county and town histories, church and school histories, maps and atlases, vital records, tax lists, military records, wills, cemetery records, the complete set of US Federal Census Records from 1790 to 1930 and more.
Bringing you thousands of movies, full music albums, audiobooks and more. Hoopla is a revolutionary digital service made possible by your local library. Borrow up to five items a month on your Normal Public Library card.
The Illinois Digital Archives (IDA) was created in 2000, as a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library as well as other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois.
Illinois Digital Archives includes photographs, slides, glass negatives; oral histories; manuscripts and letters; federal government documents; postcards; posters; videos; newspapers; maps; and much more.
Illinois Legal Aid Online develops technology and information to increase access to justice for Illinois residents.
Includes archives collected by the Illinois State Library, Illinois Statewide Vital Records Databases and the Illinois Regional Archives Depositories.
IndieFlix is a movie service that offers access to pop culture favorites, box office hits, award-winning feature films, documentaries and shorts. Instantly view thousands of titles from around the world. Unlimited access is available to you when you use your 7-day pass to check out this digital product in the Libby App or on the Libby website - look for IndieFlix in the Extras section.
Kanopy is a video-streaming platform dedicated to thoughtful and thought-provoking films that delivers a diverse collection of 30,000+ enriching films, available to stream anytime and anywhere — from desktop to TV to tablet. Movies and TV shows use credits to watch. Kanopy Kids includes access to all Kids content for a month.
Khan Academy is a free website that offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom, along with free tools for parents and teachers.
Access the Library of Congress’ considerable digital resources. You will find collections of documents, photographs and much more.
An online language-learning system that can help you learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian and more.
Learn languages while watching foreign feature films. You can watch the films in Engage Mode to maximize your language learning or in Movie Mode to just sit back and enjoy.
The Stevenson-Ives Library is one of the finest local history and genealogy research libraries in downstate Illinois. The Library contains more than 15,000 books and periodicals with a focus on McLean County and Central Illinois history and genealogy. The Library contains the collections of the McLean County Museum of History, the McLean County Genealogical Society and the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Merck Manuals are one of the world’s most widely used medical information resources. Find information on medical topics, symptoms, drugs, procedures, news and more, written in everyday language.
An interactive investment database with information on over 27,000 stocks, mutual funds and ETFs. This database provides independent analysis, charts, portfolio building tools and investment education.
The New York Times offers news articles and more from one of America's leading newspapers. Receive breaking news, in-depth investigations, and important information on a variety of topics.
If you are inside the library:
Click here to gain unlimited access to NYTimes.com while inside the library.
If you are outside the library:
Click here to redeem access to NYTimes.com for 24 hours.
Niche Academy provides ready-to-use tutorials for the most commonly used library electronic resources. As these resources evolve over time, Niche Academy updates the tutorials.
Provides enhanced subject access to over 70,000 fiction titles and contains over 1,000 subject oriented booklists and complete lists for over 150 book awards.
Provides enhanced subject access to over 70,000 fiction titles and contains over 1,000 subject oriented booklists and complete lists for over 150 book awards.
In our app, you will be able to learn more about our programs, create your own schedule for a visit to the library, play a game, and check out features like our sensory-friendly map and insider tips. Intended for all children, adults and families, including those with autism or other sensory needs to engage with the library. Try using 'Normal Public Library for All' in your search if 'NPL for All' isn't working.
We've pulled together some great online resources that you can access without a library card or login.
While these were put together with kids, teens and families in mind, there should be something for everyone here.
Check out and download audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines to your computer, tablet, e-reader or smartphone.
Read today’s news or search the Pantagraph’s archives from 1990 to today. Includes news, obituaries, sports, headlines and more.
PebbleGo is the award-winning PreK–3rd-grade database for reading and research. Databases are simple to navigate and offer key reading supports such as read-along audio and word-by-word highlighting.
Qello Concerts by Stingray is the world’s largest collection of full-length concerts and music documentaries streamed on-demand to just about any digital device. Unlimited access is available to you when you use a 7-day pass to check out this digital product in the Libby App or on the Libby website - look for Qello in the Extras section.
Previously known as Reference USA
A comprehensive database of over 12 million businesses, searchable by company name, geographical location, business size, executive title and yellow page heading.
The RSAcat Mobile app makes it easy to access the library from anywhere. You can digitally browse the library’s collection, see details about items, make your selection and place a hold for later pickup, renew items you have checked out, and pay outstanding fines in your account. *If you've been using Boopsie, please switch to RSAcat.
Kids can enjoy audiobooks, read-alongs, puzzles, games, language learning and more.
Access information and advice on the stock market, the economy and approximately 1,700 stocks in 98 industries.
Use the great information available from World Book, but tailored to kids. This database uses simple navigation, colorful illustrations, activities for young students and more. Access World Book Online for Kids through World Book Online for Kids here and then click on Kids to get started.
The premier online reference source containing every article from the 22-volume encyclopedia print set, plus thousands more. This database includes resources such as state-of-the-art multimedia and editor-reviewed Web sites.