Online Resources

Research By Topic

Business & Fundraising

Whether you're launching a small business, writing a grant, or researching a market, the library has tools to help. Find company and industry data, sample business plans, investment research, and detailed information on nonprofits and grantmakers. Free with your library card.

ABI Inform Trade & Industry

Read full-text industry and trade magazines, journals, newsletters, and current reports across many fields.

Data Axle Reference Solutions

Search business and consumer data for the U.S. and Canada, plus job and internship listings.

Foundation Directory Online (Candid)

Research 200,000+ U.S. grantmakers, recent grants, and funding priorities. Built for grant writers.

GuideStar (Candid)

Research nonprofits and charities with detailed financial data, board info, and IRS Form 990 filings for over 1.8 million organizations.

Gale Business: Entrepreneurship

Start, finance, and run a small business with sample business plans, how-to guides, and expert articles.

Gale Business: Insights

Dig into global companies and industries with detailed profiles, SWOT analyses, and investment data.

Gale Business Plans Handbook

Browse real-world business plans across manufacturing, retail, and service industries for inspiration.

Gale OneFile: Business

Read top business and trade publications on management, finance, marketing, and industry trends. Daily updates.

Gale OneFile: Entrepreneurship

Get practical tips, strategies, and success stories for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Gale OneFile: Leadership and Management

Read periodicals on leadership, organizational behavior, HR, and executive management. Updated daily.

Morningstar Investing Center

Research stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs with independent ratings, analyst reports, and portfolio tools.

Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

Read daily local business, construction, real estate, and finance news for the Seattle region. In-library only.

Value Line Investment Survey

Look up stock analysis, ETF research, and historical data on 1,700+ U.S. stocks. Works best in Chrome.

The Wall Street Journal

Access the Wall Street Journal online. Create a free account for 3 days of access. Sign in again after 3 days to continue reading.

Weiss Financial Ratings

Plan your financial future with a variety of tools, including financial literacy basics, calculators, ratings of stocks and more.

Computers & Technology

Build the tech skills you need for school, work, or daily life. Learn the basics of computers, email, and the internet, get comfortable with Microsoft Office and Google Apps, or dig into programming, cybersecurity, and other in-demand skills. Lessons go at your own pace.

GCF LearnFree.org

Free self-paced courses covering tech basics, Office and Google Apps, smartphones, math, reading, and job skills.

LinkedIn Learning

Take 16,000+ video courses in tech, business, design, and creative skills. Earn certificates. Library ID: kcls

Northstar Digital Literacy

Build tech skills with self-paced lessons and earn certificates in computer basics and Office.

Udemy

Take 6,000+ on-demand courses in business, tech, and design. Prep for AWS, PMP, CompTIA, and more.

Consumer & Automotive

Make confident decisions about what you buy and what you drive. Compare product ratings and reviews, look up vehicle repair and maintenance guides, prep for your driver's license test, and find help resolving consumer complaints. Free, ad-free, and independent.

ChiltonLibrary

Repair and maintain cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles from 1940 to today. ASE certification prep included.

Consumer Reports

Compare independent product ratings, car reviews, buying guides, and expert advice. No advertising accepted.

Driving Tests

Prep for the Washington driver's license test with practice quizzes and the official manual. Spanish available.

WA AG – Safeguarding Consumers

Get Washington AG consumer protection tips, scam alerts, and complaint forms for Lemon Law, fraud, and more.

Education & Training

Whether you're a teen, a working adult, or starting a new chapter, the library supports learning at every stage. Pick up a new language, prep for a professional certification, build digital skills, or get ready for the GED or driver's license test. Most resources are self-paced and work on any device.

Brainfuse HelpNow

Connect with free 1-on-1 online tutors for K-12, college, and adults. Writing help, test prep, en español.

Driving Tests

Prep for the Washington driver's license test with practice quizzes and the official manual. Spanish available.

GCF LearnFree.org

Free self-paced courses covering tech basics, Office and Google Apps, smartphones, math, reading, and job skills.

LinkedIn Learning

Take 16,000+ video courses in tech, business, design, and creative skills. Earn certificates. Library ID: kcls

LOTE4Kids

Read picture books in 60+ languages, with audio read aloud and synced highlighting to help children enjoy stories and build language skills.

Mango Languages

Learn one of 70+ languages at your own pace, with native speaker audio and pronunciation feedback. Practice reading and writing.

My Jobs Library

Search for jobs, build a resume, find training schools, and get career advice.

Northstar Digital Literacy

Build tech skills with self-paced lessons and earn certificates in computer basics and Office.

Rosetta Stone

Aprende un nuevo idioma con Rosetta Stone.

Udemy

Take 6,000+ on-demand courses in business, tech, and design. Prep for AWS, PMP, CompTIA, and more.

WorkSource Seattle-King County

Find jobs in our area. Get help with your resume, interview skills and other career planning needs.

Genealogy & Biography

Curious about your family story or a notable figure from history? Search census records, vital records, military and immigration documents, and historical newspapers. Build a family tree, explore biographies, and get answers to common research questions from KCLS librarians.

Ancestry Library Edition

Search billions of census, vital, military, and immigration records to build your family tree. In-library only.

Cyndi's List

Browse 300,000+ genealogy resources organized by geography, ethnicity, surname, and record type.

FamilySearch

Discover your family story through free historical records and a shared family tree. No library card needed.

Gale In Context: Biography

Look up trustworthy biographies of 650,000+ historical and current figures, with articles, photos, and videos.

Google News Archive

Search archived newspaper pages from across the U.S. dating back to the 1800s. Free historical newspaper research tool from Google.

National Archives

Search federal military, immigration, land, census, and presidential records from the U.S. National Archives.

Nineteenth Century US Newspapers

Read full-text U.S. newspapers from 1800 to 1899, including African American, women's, and other voices.

One-Step Webpages

Search Ellis Island, Castle Garden, censuses, and many other sources using Stephen P. Morse's free tools.

Sanborn Maps (Washington State)

Browse large-scale historic fire insurance maps of Washington cities and towns from 1867 to 1970.

US GenWeb Project

Browse volunteer-built genealogy sites for every U.S. state and county, with local records and surname queries.

Washington Digital Newspapers

Search the Washington State Library's digitized newspaper collection. Articles from across the state, most issues from before 1923.

World GenWeb Project

Discover genealogy information for places around the world. A volunteer-staffed project organized by country and region.

History

Explore the past through trusted sources from around the world. Read historical newspapers, browse primary documents, study maps, and find balanced coverage of U.S. and world history. Great for school research, lifelong learners, and anyone curious about how we got here.

Daily Life Through History

Discover how people really lived. Explore food, family, work, and customs from ancient times to today.

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications

Find federal publications back to 1976, with descriptive info and direct links to full documents.

FDLP Basic Collection

Browse core federal documents like the Constitution, Federal Register, Congressional Record, and Census data.

Gale In Context: Global Issues

Read news, topic overviews, primary sources, and multimedia on global affairs, human rights, and climate.

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints

Hear both sides of 18,000+ social, political, and ethical issues. Great for debate and persuasive writing.

Gale OneFile: U.S. History

Explore balanced coverage of U.S. history from the colonial era to today. Great for students and history buffs.

Gale OneFile: World History

Explore balanced coverage of world history from ancient civilizations to modern events, across every region.

govinfo.gov

Access official federal government publications including bills, the Federal Register, court opinions, and Congressional reports.

National Archives

Search federal military, immigration, land, census, and presidential records from the U.S. National Archives.

Homework Help

Support for kids and teens with school assignments, research papers, and studying. Connect with live tutors, find research databases written at the right reading level for elementary, middle, and high school, and explore printable activities and practice. Help is available in English and Spanish.

Brainfuse HelpNow

Connect with free 1-on-1 online tutors for K-12, college, and adults. Writing help, test prep, en español.

Britannica Library

Research at the right level for kids, teens, or adults. Trusted encyclopedia articles, images, videos, and primary sources.

Britannica Escolar

Find reliable information in Latin American Spanish for K–12 students.

Gale In Context: Elementary

Research animals, science, social studies, and biographies for K-5, with read-aloud and translation.

Gale In Context: Middle School

Research cultures, government, history, literature, and current events for grades 6 to 8 at the right level.

Gale In Context: College

Explore topic-organized research portals across humanities, social sciences, and STEM for undergrads.

Lerner Maker Lab

Hands-on maker space at Bellevue Library with 3D printers, sewing machines, and tech tools. Reserve equipment and learn new skills.

NoveList Plus

Find your next great read with recommendations, read-alikes, series order, themed lists, and group guides.

Scholastic Teachables

Print 17,000+ activity sheets, lesson plans, and skills practice for pre-K through grade 8.

Job & Career

Looking for a new job, changing careers, or sharpening your professional skills? Find job listings, build a resume, prep for interviews, and research industries and employers. The library also connects you to local workforce services and training programs.

Brainfuse HelpNow

Connect with free 1-on-1 online tutors for K-12, college, and adults. Writing help, test prep, en español.

Data Axle Reference Solutions

Search business and consumer data for the U.S. and Canada, plus job and internship listings.

Gale OneFile: Vocations and Careers

Explore trade and professional publications on careers in trades, healthcare, tech, and development.

GCF LearnFree.org

Free self-paced courses covering tech basics, Office and Google Apps, smartphones, math, reading, and job skills.

LinkedIn Learning

Take 16,000+ video courses in tech, business, design, and creative skills. Earn certificates. Library ID: kcls

My Jobs Library

Search for jobs, build a resume, find training schools, and get career advice.

Northstar Digital Literacy

Build tech skills with self-paced lessons and earn certificates in computer basics and Office.

WorkSource Seattle-King County

Find jobs in our area. Get help with your resume, interview skills and other career planning needs.

Udemy

Aprende y mejora habilidades en negocios, tecnología, diseño y más.

Law & Culture

Find plain-language legal information, downloadable forms, and government documents. Learn about your rights, explore current social and political issues, and access primary sources on civil rights and social justice. Helpful for everyday questions and deeper research.

FreeWill

Write a legally valid will, trust, or healthcare directive online for free in under 20 minutes.

Gale Academic OneFile

Search 17,000+ peer-reviewed scholarly journals across every academic discipline. Built for college research.

Gale In Context: Global Issues

Read news, topic overviews, primary sources, and multimedia on global affairs, human rights, and climate.

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints

Hear both sides of 18,000+ social, political, and ethical issues. Great for debate and persuasive writing.

Google Arts & Culture: Art Project

Take virtual museum tours and zoom into artworks from 2,000+ museums. Browse by artist, era, or color.

HeinOnline Social Justice Suite

Explore primary sources on slavery, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, gun regulation, and international human rights.

King County Law Library

Free legal research help from professional law librarians serving King County residents at this courthouse-based library.

Legal Information Source

Find legal forms, articles, and full-text law journals covering practical and academic legal topics.

SGN (Seattle Gay News)

Read Seattle's LGBTQIA+ weekly covering news, opinion, arts, and community since 1974.

Literature & the Arts

Find your next great read, stream a film, or learn about art and music. Browse book recommendations and read-alikes, borrow eBooks and audiobooks, explore world cinema and documentaries, and visit virtual museums from around the globe.

Associated Press (AP) Stylebook Online

Look up AP style rules for spelling, punctuation, usage, and inclusive storytelling. Up to 25 users at a time.

Bookflix

Watch animated video storybooks paired with nonfiction eBooks for pre-K through grade 3. Spanish titles too.

Estante Infinito

Read Spanish-language eBooks for children and teens, including picture books, chapter books, and YA novels.

Gale eBooks

Search a huge reference collection of eBooks and encyclopedias on history, science, law, the arts, and more.

Libby

Disfrute libros electrónicos, revistas y audiolibros descargables en su computadora, teléfono, tableta o lector electrónico.

LOTE4Kids

Read picture books in 60+ languages, with audio read aloud and synced highlighting to help children enjoy stories and build language skills.

MakeMake

Read authentic Latin American children’s and teen books and comics in Spanish.

NoveList Plus

Find your next great read with recommendations, read-alikes, series order, themed lists, and group guides.

The New York Times

Enjoy access to The New York Times online.

NextReads Book Alerts

Subscribe to email newsletters with new-title picks in mystery, romance, sci-fi, nonfiction, and more.

OverDrive eBooks for Teens

Borrow young adult fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels curated for teens. Read on any device with Libby.

PressReader

Read 7,000+ newspapers and magazines from 100+ countries in 60+ languages, with translation and audio.

TumbleBook Library

Watch animated talking storybooks, follow read-alongs, and play learning games for grades K to 6.

OverDrive eBooks for Kids

Borrow curated eBooks for kids with adjustable fonts, including dyslexic-friendly options. Read in Libby.

Science & Health

Get trustworthy answers to health questions and access reliable science information. Look up conditions and treatments, research medications, find a healthcare provider, and read peer-reviewed journals on medicine and the sciences. Available in English and Spanish.

CDC

Get trusted info from the U.S. CDC on diseases, vaccines, travelers' health, and emergency preparedness.

CDC en Español

Encuentre información del CDC en español sobre enfermedades, bienestar, salud del viajero y emergencias.

Gale Academic OneFile

Search 17,000+ peer-reviewed scholarly journals across every academic discipline. Built for college research.

Gale OneFile: Health and Medicine

Read health and medical periodicals for consumers, students, and professionals on research, policy, and care.

Gale OneFile: Science

Read scientific journals and magazines on biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and computing. Daily updates.

MedlinePlus

Trusted health information from the National Library of Medicine on conditions, drugs, supplements, tests, and medical encyclopedia.

Physical Review Journals (Library Edition)

Read APS physics journals including Physical Review X, PRL, PRX Quantum, and more. In-library only.

ProQuest Coronavirus Research Database

Find trustworthy COVID-19 research, including peer-reviewed articles, preprints, proceedings, and news.

PTSDpubs

Search peer-reviewed articles, reports, and books on PTSD and trauma by symptom or treatment.

U.S. Healthcare

Search U.S. healthcare providers by specialty, board certification, medical school, and insurance accepted.

Research By Type

Encyclopedias

Look up trustworthy reference articles, biographies, and topic overviews from curated collections. A great starting point for school research, fact-checking, or just satisfying curiosity.

Britannica Library

Research at the right level for kids, teens, or adults. Trusted encyclopedia articles, images, videos, and primary sources.

Britannica Escolar

Find reliable information in Latin American Spanish for K–12 students.

Daily Life Through History

Discover how people really lived. Explore food, family, work, and customs from ancient times to today.

Gale eBooks

Search a huge reference collection of eBooks and encyclopedias on history, science, law, the arts, and more.

Gale In Context: Biography

Look up trustworthy biographies of 650,000+ historical and current figures, with articles, photos, and videos.

MedlinePlus

Trusted health information from the National Library of Medicine on conditions, drugs, supplements, tests, and medical encyclopedia.

Mobile Apps

Use the library on the go. Borrow books, stream content, look up answers, or learn a new skill from your phone or tablet, anywhere you have a signal.

FamilySearch

Discover your family story through free historical records and a shared family tree. No library card needed.

hoopla

Stream movies, TV, music, audiobooks, eBooks, and comics with no waiting. 10 checkouts per month.

Kanopy

Stream thousands of films, including indie features, documentaries, the Criterion Collection, PBS and the Great Courses.

Libby

Disfrute libros electrónicos, revistas y audiolibros descargables en su computadora, teléfono, tableta o lector electrónico.

LinkedIn Learning en Español

Aprende en línea a tu propio ritmo. Los temas incluyen diseño web, programación, edición de video, marketing y más.

Make Way for Books App

Free bilingual literacy app for families with kids ages 0-5. Build early reading skills with stories, songs, and activities.

Mango Languages

Learn one of 70+ languages at your own pace, with native speaker audio and pronunciation feedback. Practice reading and writing.

PressReader

Read 7,000+ newspapers and magazines from 100+ countries in 60+ languages, with translation and audio.

Rosetta Stone

Aprende un nuevo idioma con Rosetta Stone.

TumbleBook Library

Watch animated talking storybooks, follow read-alongs, and play learning games for grades K to 6.

Udemy

Aprende y mejora habilidades en negocios, tecnología, diseño y más.

Streaming

Watch movies, shows, and educational videos online. From independent films and documentaries to kid-friendly favorites, stream instantly with no holds or waiting.