Resources for Businesses
Accel is a
microlearning resource with videos, book summaries, and articles that help you build personal and professional skills—supporting continuous learning and career growth in just minutes a day. Create your own account to keep track of your reading materials and progress.
The leading provider in business and consumer research! Create marketing plans, conduct competitive analyses, raise funds, and locate people. If you need assistance accessing or using Reference USA, please call the company direct at 1- 800-808-1113 to make use of their excellent customer service.
Resources for Entertainment
Hoopla allows you to instantly borrow up to five digital movies, eBooks/eAudiobooks, comics, music, and more --- 24/7 each month with your library card! With Hoopla’s Instant collection, every title you see is available instantly. No holds, no waits! Each month you receive five digital checkouts. Log in using your library card and online password (PIN). If you have not set up your online account for your library card, give the library a call (540 375 3089) for assistance.
With Magzter Library, you can browse, download, and enjoy digital magazines and newspapers. Access Magzter with your browser or download the free Magzter Library app (Note: the Magzter Newsstand app requires a paid subscription. Be sure to download the Magzter Library app for free access).
Reading recommendations for fiction and non-fiction, read-alike and listen-alike recommendations, series information, and award winners all in one place. Get started by viewing the tutorial video.
New York Times Cooking is an inspiring cooking guide, innovative and interactive kitchen tool, and diverse recipe collection that helps home cooks of every level discover, save and organize the world's best recipes, while also helping them become better, more competent cooks.
New York Times Games have captivated solvers since the launch of the Crossword in 1942. Our experts create engaging word and visual games that stimulate and keep the mind sharp. All Games are available on the web and NYT App; Crossword and Spelling Bee are available in the Crossword App.
Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven effort to produce a collection of high quality, carefully formatted, accessible, open source, and free public domain ebooks that meet or exceed the quality of commercially produced ebooks.
Resources for Genealogy
Ancestry Library Edition provides instant access to a wide range of unique resources for genealogical and historical research. With more than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases, Ancestry Library Edition includes records from the United States Census; military records; court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists, and more. In-library use only. Tutorial video.
The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media. Tutorial video.
Sanborn Maps provides digital access to more than 660,000 large-scale historical maps of towns and cities in Virginia. Users have the ability to easily manipulate the maps, magnify and zoom in on specific sections, and layer maps from different years. To access this site from outside the library, access the Digital Sanborn Maps website and enter the username and password below.
Username: SALEMVA Password: Weoruysl22$
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images. Access is available 24/7. Tutorial video.
Resources for Kids
Visit ABCmouse from any public computer at the Salem Public Library to use ABCmouse for free! ABCmouse offers over 8,500 digital learning games, eBooks, and other activities to help every child get a jump-start on learning. In-library use only.
The Access Video on Demand: Just for Kids for public libraries gives children—and their parents—a thoroughly kid-safe, advertisement-free media platform they can freely explore and enjoy. Just for Kids has the educational videos children want to watch—Sesame Street, The Electric Company, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, The Berenstain Bears, Franklin, and thousands more—plus songs, games, and other interactives.
Ebsco's Explora is a user-friendly search tool that supports both research and instruction. Explora includes the following resources:
- Explora Secondary Schools (Middle and High School)
- MasterFILE Complete - The most comprehensive and valuable collection of full-text general interest resources. This authoritative general information database is the best place to start your research project.
- Read It! - Research while practicing reading skills with Read It!™ Helps students with a basic foundation in English grammar and reading who need adapted reading material for many subjects. Read It!™ is also a great tool for English Language Learners. View the tutorial video to get started.
On-demand, anytime, anywhere free online homework help. Online tutors are available every day from 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM and can help all students of all ages.
Reading recommendations for grades K-8 for fiction and non-fiction, read-alike and listen-alike recommendations, series information, and award winners all in one place. Learn more by viewing the tutorial video.
Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age- appropriate curriculum-related content.
Resources for News
Explore and stay informed on local, national and international topics, people and events in areas such as business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues and more. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources from around the world to around the corner. Available remotely 24/7 on any device. Tutorial video.
Cardinal News is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news site that serves Southwest and Southside Virginia.
PressReader offers unlimited access to more than 7,000 local, national, and international newspapers and magazines from around the world, featuring international news in a browsable and visual format from 120 countries in 60 languages.
- Click on the link to visit PressReader, click "sign in" and select the "Library or Group" option.
- Select "Salem Public Library" and sign in with your library card number.
- Check the box to allow PressReader to verify your information.
- Optionally, download the PressReader app for Apple iOS or Android for use on mobile devices.
Enjoy access to The New York Times. It's an essential source for fearless reporting, varied perspectives, and practical advice on nearly every topic - from the vital issues shaping our world to the simple pleasures that make everyday life better.
The Roanoke Rambler delivers" vibrant local journalism that is unbiased, factual, and unfiltered."
Explore Roanoke history through local news, events and people with the Roanoke Times 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.
Resources for Virginia Research
DigiTool: Digital Collections of the Library of VirginiaSearch and view the Library of Virginia's digital collections, including the James I Robertson Jr Civil War Sesquicentennial Legacy Collection, the War of 1812 Bicentennial Collection, City and County Records, the Virginia Travel Brochures Digital Collection, and much more.
An incredible historical resource from the Library of Virginia: Primary documents related to Virginia history including photos, paintings, and images of original documents, letters, etc.
Encyclopedia Virginia’s mission is to provide a free, reliable, multimedia resource that tells the inclusive story of Virginia. Entries are accompanied by primary documents and media objects, including images, audio and visual clips, and virtual tours of historic sites. Many of the media objects are unavailable elsewhere and are published courtesy of partnerships with museums and cultural institutions in Virginia, the United States, and Great Britain.
Resources for Topical Learning
Chilton Library provides quick online access to repair, maintenance, and service information on seven decades of the broadest range of vehicles available, including cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Access: Enter your Roanoke Valley Library card number. Tutorial video
Access live and on-demand classes, designed for and taught by older adults, to enhance skills and foster social connections. Access: Enter your Roanoke Valley Library card number. Tutorial video
Live, anytime, anywhere job assistance, including up-to-date nationwide and local job search engines, professional resume critique, and proven interview techniques. Experience a personalized career center seamlessly integrated with advanced virtual technology to help job seekers of diverse backgrounds and needs.
Online courses and practice tests for Civil Service, ASVAB, GED, SAT, GRE, TOEFL, MCAT, LSAT, Real Estate, Nursing, Language, Post Office, Cosmetology, U.S. Citizenship exams and more! This resource also offers online courses for popular computer programs such as Word, Excel, and Photoshop. Access: first-time users must click "Register" to create an account; you may be asked to enter your library card number. Returning users log in with their username and password. Learn more by viewing the tutorial video.
Thousands of legal forms are available with more forms being added daily. Official, State Specific, Federal, Business, Personal, Real Estate, and General forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues. Watch the tutorial video to learn more.
The Guide to Virginia Legal Information Resources (compiled by the Virginia Association of Law Libraries Access to Justice Committee) is a list of legal information resources designed for people representing themselves in legal matters. The Guide covers topics as varied as incorporating a business, contesting a traffic ticket, researching health law, obtaining social security, renting a dwelling, buying a house, and writing a will.
Anyone can learn over 110 languages anytime, anywhere, on any device! With customized learning paths, the ability to focus on specific skills, and tailored flexibility to your needs, Transparent Language can help you achieve your language learning goals.
Create an account and log in for free access to over 500 on-demand courses in a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, writing, business, health, computer software, coding, crafts, and much more! Many courses offer accreditation to earn Continuing Education Units. Suitable for use by teens and adults. Get started by viewing this tutorial view.
VetNow
Connect with a live, online Veteran expert to learn more about eligible VA benefits and community resources.
