The library subscribes to a number of high quality research databases. We have organised them by topic to help you find what you need. These databases give library members free access to millions of authoritative articles, journals, images and other resources on every conceivable subject.
If you're looking for further online resources, such as digital newspapers, you can become a member of the State Library of New South Wales. All NSW residents can sign up for free and access their extensive range of online resources from anywhere.
Search by category below.
Family History
Ancestry
Ancestry Library Edition is a huge subscription database, similar to the popular Ancestry.com, which you can use to trace your ancestors. Searches over 4000 databases including Australian convict index, Australian electoral rolls, United Kingdom census records, British Army World War 1 pension records, United States census records and much more.
Northern Beaches Library members will be able to access Ancestry Library from home, for free, for a limited time. To access Ancestry Library, please log into your library account. Once you have logged in, please select 'Home' in the top navigation bar. This will direct you to the link to access Ancestry Library from home.
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Find My Past
Find My Past features records from the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada and Australia.
Northern Beaches Library members will be able to access Find My Past from home, for free, for a limited time. Please see here for more information.
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Social Support
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy can help you find the right services you need when you're looking for support. It is a free database with over 360,000 services available to search through including housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice, addiction treatment and more. Searches are anonymous.
Law
AustLII
AustLII (Australasian Legal Information Institute) provides access to: legislation (Commonwealth and States), treaties, decisions of courts and tribunals, law reform and Royal Commission reports, Federal Courts (High Court, Family Court, etc.)
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Find Legal Answers
Find Legal Answers web guide provides access to current information and resources about the law in NSW.
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Legal Information - Hot Topics
Hot Topics from the State Library of New South Wales (SLNSW) is a plain language series about recent changes and current debates in the law. This information is part of the SLNSW online legal information.
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General Reference
Australia/New Zealand Points of View Reference Centre
Australia/New Zealand Points of View Reference Centre provides points and counterpoints on current issues in today’s society.
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Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre
Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre the largest Australasian magazine, newspapers and reference collection online.
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Britannica Library
This resource contains content from Encyclopedia Britannica, the world's premier English language encyclopedia.
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Building Code of Australia
Building Code of Australia online. Access is free but you will need to register.
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Carters Price Guide
Carter’s Price Guide offers information on over 75,000 collectable items, from antiquity to modern times.
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Community Directory
The LINCS database is a directory of local community services and groups, covering areas such as leisure, education, social welfare and sport across the Northern Beaches, Sydney and beyond.
Cultural Atlas
This resource provides comprehensive information on the cultural backgrounds of Australia’s largest migrant populations. It includes explanations of the common cultural attitudes, practices, norms, behaviours, social structures, etiquettes and communication styles within different countries.
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GOV.AU
GOV.AU is an information portal that covers state, territory and federal public sector agencies and politicians throughout Australia. Whether you're looking for government departments, local members of parliament, press releases, government resources and more, GOV.AU aims to make this easy.
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Hobbies and Crafts Reference Centre
Hobbies and Craft Reference Centre offers detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast. Full text is provided from leading hobby and craft magazines.
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MasterFILE Complete
MasterFILE Complete offers a large range of general reference publications on many subject areas.
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Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics covers statistics on Australia’s states, major cities and towns, and local government areas.
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International Data Base: World Statistics
This database contains statistical tables of demographic, economic, and social data for all countries of the world.
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UNdata
A single entry point for accessing all United Nations statistical information. Includes links to country data services. Covers a wide range of areas including agriculture, crime, education, employment, energy, environment, health, HIV/AIDS, human development, industry, information and communication technology, national accounts, population, refugees, tourism and trade.
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History
Australian Dictionary of Biography
The Australian Dictionary of Biography features concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of the lives of significant and representative persons in Australian history.
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History Reference Centre
History Reference Centre contains thousands of reliable resources — including primary source documents, biographies, photos, maps and more — to help you complete your research.
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Trove Australia
Trove Australia searches books, newspapers, pictures, diaries, maps, music & websites to find the information you need.
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Trove Newspapers
Access historic Australian newspapers from 1803 to 1954, digitised as part of the Trove Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program from the National Library of Australia.
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Health
Consumer Health Complete
Consumer Health Complete is a great source of full text information on a diverse range of health related subjects.
Drug information at your library
Drug information at your library provides up to date information on alcohol and other drugs.
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Book Reviews & Resources
Good Reading Hub for Book Lovers
The Good Reading Hub for Book Lovers is an Australian website where you will discover the popular monthly magazine Good Reading, exclusive articles, independent reviews, information about new books as well as old favourites, daily book news and podcasts. Simply everything about books is in the Good Reading Hub.
Literary Reference Centre
Literary Reference Centre provides plot summaries, work overviews, biographies and criticism on key literary figures.
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Novelist Plus
Novelist Plus features recommended reads, discussion guides and award winners for both fiction and non-fiction books.
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Whichbook
Whichbook gives the opportunity to make choices such as plot shape, type of main character, country the book is set in. This website starts from the reader and enables each individual to build the elements of the 'good read' they are looking for but don't quite know how to define.
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Who else writes like...?
Who else writes like...? A reader's guide to fiction authors. This site is designed to help anyone to expand the number of writers they read. It is designed to answer the perennial question "I've read all the books by my favourite authors, who shall I read next?"
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Who Next...?
Who Next...? A guide to children's Authors. When children ask: “Who can I read next?” or “Who writes like my favourite author?”, the answers are here in Who Next…? Writers of children’s fiction are listed with suggestions of other authors who write in a similar way, together with key book and series titles. Please select the correct link to use this database.
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Science & Environment
GreenFILE
GreenFILE offers a unique perspective on the positive and negative ways humans affect the environment.
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Science Reference Centre
Science Reference Centre is an in depth resource for all science related research needs.
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HSC Resources
HSC Edge Online
HSC Edge Online is an online service helping students optimise their Year 11 or Year 12 scores.
This innovative service offers a multitude of resources that are designed to enhance student performance and reduce the stresses and pressures that many students experience during their final years at school.
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HSC research guides
The HSC research guides from the State Library of New South Wales, brings together essential resources for studying Preliminary and HSC subjects.
These resources will assist students find relevant content for English, Society and Culture and Modern History.
Studiosity
Studiosity is an online tutoring service offering just-in-time homework and study help to students in years 3-12, in English, maths, science, research and study skills. To access Studiosity, use your library card number and PIN to log in.
