These online resources are part of the Library Service’s information and learning offer. To find out about other information available from libraries, visit the Information services web page.
Ancestry library edition
Key records for family history research, including 1841 to 1901 census; birth, marriage and death records; street directories, telephone directories, school and military lists. This service can only be accessed from a Croydon Library computer.
Subscription reference services
As a library member, you can use the barcode on your library membership card to access subscription-only online reference services. The following websites participate in the scheme:
Access to Research
Free, walk-in access to a wide range of academic articles and research in public libraries across the UK. Available from library PCs only.
Britannica Junior
Britannica Library Junior (age group 5 to 10)
Britannica Student
Britannica Library Student (age group 10 to 14)
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Britannica Library Adult (age group 14 and Up)
COBRA
A comprehensive and continually updated online reference resource for anyone looking to start a business, write a business or marketing plan, or conduct research into a new market. COBRA provides critical business facts, compliance and trading details covering hundreds of the most common small business trades, sectors and professions.
https://croydon.cobwebinfo.com
COOCS – community open learning courses
COOCs have been developed to help people from all walks of life to share learning and create opportunities for personal development.
Digital Unite - computer and internet guides
Getting started with computers and the internet can be difficult. To help you on your way, here are links to useful guides produced by Digital Unite. Whether you want help with setting up Skype, online shopping or email, there’s something here for you.
www.digitalunite.com/technology-guides
Enquire
Enquire is a free, live-chat question and answer service available 24 hours a day with trained library staff. Libraries throughout England take it in turns to deliver the service Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, with libraries in the USA answering your questions at other times. Ask a question via Enquire and get a response straight away from the real-time, 24 hour service.
HM Revenue & Customs starting a business e-learning tool
Have you just started in business and become self-employed? Got a lot of questions about Income Tax, National Insurance, business records and expenses? Then try this e-learning course from HM Revenue and Customs.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/courses/syob2/syob2/index.htm
Life in Great Britain
The online learning practice course to prepare users for the British citizenship test.
The British Way of Life
The British Way of Life is a comprehensive resource containing all the basic facts and information needed to help new arrivals understand, and succeed in, British life.
Law & Rights
Relevant and updated daily, Law & Rights is a complete legal resource for anyone with a question about the rights and responsibilities associated with living, working or engaging in life in Britain.
Law & Business
Law & Business summarises statutes and statutory instruments that relate to starting, growing and operating a business in England, Scotland and Wales, including funding, business support and regulation information.
National Numeracy Challenge
Helps adults learn the maths needed for everyday life. Why not take the challenge?
Oxford English Dictionary
Library login.
Oxford Dictionaries Online
Premium Oxford Dictionaries site.
http://premium.oxforddictionaries.com
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Contains biographies of 56,000 men and women who shaped British history worldwide.
Oxford Reference Online
English and bilingual dictionaries, quotations, maps and illustrations, timelines, encyclopaedia, and subject reference guides.
Who’s Who
The definitive directory of everyone who’s anyone in Britain, and beyond, today.
Theory Test Pro
A highly realistic online simulation of the UK's driving theory tests for all vehicle categories. It contains all the official test questions licensed from the DSA, the people who set the tests.
https://croydon.theorytestpro.co.uk/
Universal Skills
Improve your IT skills, CV writing and interview skills.
Ziptales
Ziptales is a fun online resource that uses stories, quizzes and games to make reading a pleasure for children. It includes:
- 500 + interactive levelled stories and curriculum aligned English lessons
- voice overs, animations, videos, follow up comprehension quizzes and much more
- over 1500 printable worksheets to follow up each story/lesson
- a fun and safe online learning environment
- use in small groups, or individual use at the library and at home
- access online anywhere from any device including computer, laptop, iPad, mobile phone and tablet