Resources and Recommended Websites
You'll find exactly what you need and more in our collection of digital resources and recommended web sites. You'll need your Algonquin Area Public Library card to access some resources if you are not using them in the Library. Need help? Contact our Adult Services Department at 847-458-6060, ext 143, during regular business hours.
Online Classes/Learning
Brushing up on career skills? Learning a new language? Preparing for the ACT or SAT? Repairing your own vehicle? Our amazing online learning resources can help.
Homework Resources
The Library has all the homework resources you need to complete your research paper, study for tests, or discover interesting information.
Genealogical Resources
Start here if you want to learn more about your family's past. You can also make an appointment with a librarian for more focused help (847-458-6060). Check our events page for genealogy programs.
All Online Resources by Name
Don’t have an Algonquin Area Public Library card? Click here.
- ABCmouse.com
ABCmouse.com offers the most comprehensive online curriculum for children ages 2 – 7+, including reading and language arts, math, beginning science, social studies, art and music.
- Adult Services Blog
Visit our Adult Services blog for lists of National Book Awards, Library Reads, bestsellers, and more.
- Algonquin Area Obituaries Index
Search for obituaries appearing in the Algonquin/LITH Countryside and Northwest Herald newspapers.
- America’s News Magazines
Search for timely topics in business, education, the environment, science and technology. Featuring Newsweek, Popular Science, Foreign Affairs, Science News, Smithsonian and more.
- America’s Obituaries and Death Notices (HeritageHub)
HeritageHub provides access to hundreds of years of obituaries and death notices from thousands of newspapers across the United States. Click here to learn how to use HeritageHub
- Ancestry: Library Edition
A comprehensive source of information for genealogical and local history research, with access to billions of records in more than 3,000 databases.
- Archive Grid
Search historical collections held by thousands of archives, libraries, museums and historical societies around the world.
- AtoZdatabases
The databases are ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, background searches, finding friends, relatives and a whole lot of other possibilities.
- Axis360 | eReadIllinois
Check out and download up to 5 ebook or audiobook titles at a time from Axis 360. Find new and bestselling titles and authors from all the major publishers. Titles circulate for 14 days and may be renewed if no one is waiting.
- Birthday Time Capsule
Type in your birthdate and create a "time capsule" for the day you were born, including headlines, prices, top songs and TV shows, favorite toys, and popular books.
- Book Finder | Book Adventure
Enter grade level, reading level, and what kind of book you'd like to read and you get some great suggestions!
- BookFlix
Designed for PreK-3 literacy development. A wonderful collection of fiction and nonfiction books to read and have fun with online!
- Booklist Online
Gives access to all the latest book reviews as published in the magazine version, plus more!
- BrainFuse HelpNow!
Interact with live tutors for homework help, test preparation, writing assistance, and much more! This service is available from 2 to 11pm. New users need to create a free account.
- Chicagoland News
Research topics in business, education, politics and more from over 200 Illinois news sources, including Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald, Algonquin Countryside.
- Chilton Library
Step-by-step repair procedures with exclusive photographs and diagnostics designed by instructors for automobiles and light trucks from the 1940's to present day.
- Citizenship Resource Center
Citizenship preparation and educational tools and information for individuals, educators, and organizations.
- Consumer Reports Online
Ratings, reviews, recommendations, and buying advice for thousands of products and services from the premier consumer advocate magazine.
- creativebug.com
You're more creative than you think! Access to 1000+ award-winning art & craft classes you will actually "attend"!
- Daily Herald Collection
Explore suburban Chicago area history through local news, events and people with the Daily Herald Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online. Available remotely 24/7 on any device.
- Digital Past
This collection features books and pamphlets, photographs, and maps related to the history of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, and McHenry County. Each book includes a text transcription and is fully searchable by keyword.
- Driving-Test.org
Free Illinois DMV permit practice tests, including 11 car practice tests, 9 motorcycle practice tests, 11 CDL practice tests, 3 online driver's manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL), and an FAQ section with detailed answers to 100+ DMV-related questions.
- EBSCO Explora (Masterfile, History Reference Center, Science Reference Center)
Articles arranged by topic: Arts and Literature, Biography, Current Events, Geography and Culture, Health, History and Social Science, Science and Math. Search for magazine articles, videos and primary documents.
- ERIC
An index to journal articles and reports in education.
- Explore More Illinois
A cultural pass program that provides discounts and other offerings from museums, historical societies, performing and visual arts centers, and other attractions across the state of Illinois. The program is FREE with a library card. Offerings differ by attraction and may include free or reduced admission, free parking, discounts at attraction shops, and more.
- FamilySearch
One of the largest digital repositories of genealogical records from around the world including census, naturalization, and vital records.
- Findmypast
Discover your global ancestors by searching millions of records across the world. Delve through records from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Ireland in one place.
- First Search
This search tool allows access to several databases including World Almanac, ArticleFirst, ERIC (journal articles and reports on education), and MEDLINE (articles on medicine, including dentistry and nursing).
- Flipster
View, download and read digital magazines. Many popular titles available with back issues you can view on your computer, tablet or mobile device.
- Fold3
Provides convenient access to US military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.
- Freegal Music
Free music downloads from hundreds of thousands of songs in the Sony Music catalog that are yours to keep! This service is exclusively for Algonquin Area Library cardholders in good standing.
- fueleconomy.gov
The official government source for fuel economy information. Find and compare cars, calculate your mpg, explore hybrids, and more.
- Gale Virtual Reference Library
A database of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. Includes Grzimek's Animals Guide, American Decades, Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Business Plans, and more!
- Health & Wellness Resource Center
Provides access to thousands of full-text medical journals, magazines, reference works, and multimedia, covering a full range of health-related issues, from current disease and disorder information to in-depth coverage of alternative medical practices
- HeritageHub (America's Obituaries and Death Notices)
HeritageHub provides access to hundreds of years of obituaries and death notices from thousands of newspapers across the United States. Click here to learn how to use HeritageHub
- HeritageQuest Online
Indexed, full-image census records from 1790-1930 make genealogy research easier than ever before!
- hoopla
E-books. Movies. TV shows. Streaming audiobooks. Music. All for you, and all FREE using your Algonquin Area Public Library District card and a web browser phone or tablet. No hassles. No waiting list.
- How Products Are Made
Gale Resources brings us a new database with great detailed descriptions and pictures about how things are made. Search by keyword or through an alphabetic list including televisions, DVD players, gum, and more!
- How Stuff Works
If you’re interested in learning how stuff works through words and pictures, check out this site! This site has sections covering Auto, Science, Health, Entertainment, Travel, Computer, Electronics, Home, Money, and People.
- Illinois Digital Archives
Books, pamphlets, photographs, and maps related to the history of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and McHenry County. All featured titles are held in the possession of the Algonquin Area Public Library.
- Indie Author Illinois
Pick up a book from your local independently published authors in this Indie Illinois Anthology. With top selections highlighted by Library Journal, anyone can find a quality read from a local author.
- Inkie
Written a book? Create a digital and print ready book, share it with Illinois libraries through the Indie Illinois digital collection, and enter it in the Illinois Library Association’s “Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author” contest.
- Juvenile Series and Sequels
Are you looking for a certain book in a series? Check out this website maintained by the Mid-Continent Public Library.
- Kanopy
Showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema.
- LearningExpress Library
A set of online learning centers including practice for the ACT/SAT, GRE, LSAT, CDL, NCLEX, ASVAB, US Citizenship, and a wide variety of other career and academic tests and courses.
- Lexile Framework for Reading | Find a Book
If you are looking for a book at a certain Lexile level or want to know the Lexile level of a book you want to read, search this site or ask a librarian for help.
- LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
Improve your technology, creative, and business skills so you can achieve personal and professional goals. Please sign in with your AAPLD card number and account password. *If you have never used your account the password is PATRON. If you forgot your password, please contact the library*
- Mango Languages
Over 70 foreign languages to explore - Over 20 ESL courses taught in patron's native language -Learn anytime and anywhere with remote access and FREE mobile app!
- MedlinePLUS
A comprehensive, free source for consumer health and medical information.
- Mergent Online
Mergent Online provides in-depth profiles and business/financial reports of both US and International companies.
- Museum Pass
One of our most popular non-traditional services! Visit popular local attractions (like Brookfield Zoo) and museums (like the Illinois Holocaust Museum) for FREE. See a full list of attractions here.
- New York Times Online
Enjoy complimentary access to NewYorkTimes.com. Click this link, click REDEEM, create an account, and read away. Mobile version available after account is created.
- Newspapers.com - World Collection
Newspapers.com is the largest online newspaper archive consisting of 300+ million pages of historical newspapers from 8,400+ newspapers from around the United States and beyond.
- Northwest Herald (2020 - Current)
Read and search through a scanned, image version of the Northwest Herald newspaper. Newspapers are current to the date.
- Northwest Herald (Search 2005-Current)
Find information including community issues and events, business, education, health, politics, sports and more.
- Novelist Plus for Children K-8
Find children's fiction and nonfiction by matching similar authors, titles, and subjects. Includes plot summaries.
- NoveList Plus Readers Advisor
Find adult and teen fiction and nonfiction by matching similar authors, titles, and subjects. Includes plot summaries.
- Nuwav Legal Documents
An online tool that lets you create professional-quality legal documents in three simple steps.
- Overdrive | Children's Titles
Check out digital books and digital audio books for your home computer, Nook, iPad, Kindle, or other portable device. Is the title you want checked out? Put it on hold and you will be notified when it becomes available!
- Overdrive | North Suburban Digital Consortium
Find and enjoy the library's digital books on just about any modern device in seconds. E-books have never been easier!
- People in Need Resource Directory
Created by members of the annual People in Need Forum in McHenry County, this directory connects residents to community resources and important information about the services they provide.
- PressReader
Offers unlimited, effortless access to over 6,000+ newspapers and magazines from around the world, in 60+ languages, all on your smartphones, tablets and laptops. Click Sign In to get started.
- Record Information Services
Search Illinois public records for new businesses, foreclosures and auctions, real estate transactions, and bankruptcies.
- Reference USA / Data Axle : Reference Solutions
New name, same product! A nationwide business and residential white pages directory. Compile listings by zip code, yellow page headings, business size, etc.
- Scholastic Teachables
Worksheets, lesson plans, learning games, and more! Download printable lesson plans, reading passages, games and puzzles, clip art, bulletin board ideas, and skills sheets for kids in any grade.
- Something About the Author
A collection of biographies of authors and illustrators associated with youth literature.
- TumbleBooks Library
Enjoy storytime on your own time! The TumbleBooks Library is an online collection of animated, talking picture books. Books are available in English as well as in Spanish and Russian. Puzzles and games associated with many of the books are also available!
- U.S. Major Daily News
Search full-text articles, classifieds, obituaries, marriage notices, and more from the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and WSJ Magazine (dates vary).
- ValueLine Research Center
Comprehensive stocks and mutual funds information for investors.
- Weiss Financial Rating Series
Useful for finding ratings for stocks, mutual funds, banks, credit unions and insurance companies. Financial literacy and planning tools. Click Sign In and use your AAPLD library card to open all the features.
- What's Next? Books in Series
Kent County District Library provides What's Next™: Books in Series database to help you search series fiction. A series is two or more books linked by character(s), settings, or other common traits.
- World Factbook
The World Factbook, a website from the CIA, provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and physical and political maps for 267 world entities.