Reference resources
If you're a student or are doing some independent research, these reference tools can help you find what you need.
Britannica online (Adult)
In-depth coverage provides the full text of over 75,000 articles and news headlines. Vivid graphics and sound bring many of the articles to life. Includes access to ancient primary sources such as The Magna Carta.
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Britannica online (Student)
Designed for secondary school students up to the age of 16 but useful for everyone. Learn how to research effectively with tips and tricks.
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Britannica online (Junior)
Designed for children aged 5-11 years old Britannica Junior has lively and accessible information on a wide range of topics. Learn about new subjects with the games, quizzes and puzzles, and learn a new word or event every day.
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Oxford reference
A vast online reference library combining in depth content offered by titles in the acclaimed Oxford Companions series with authoritative, quick reference coverage of the full subject spectrum.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Oxford dictionaries
Oxford Dictionaries Online provides access to a variety of language dictionaries and grammar guides. Test your knowledge with their quizzes as well as spelling and punctuation challenges.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary provides a definitive guide to the meaning, history and pronunciations of English words. The most authoritative and comprehensive dictionary of English in the world, the OED goes beyond a simple definition.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Oxford Bibliographies
Research guides covering a range of academic subjects to help identify reliable sources and texts for your research.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Access to Research
Discover a world of published academic research. Explore full text academic research articles and journals, ordinarily only available with a subscription. Includes free access to the findings of publicly funded research.
Free access onsite at your local Lincolnshire Library.
Free access onsite at your local Lincolnshire Library.
COBRA
The Complete Business Reference Adviser, information on how to start and run a business, write a business plan and find grants etc.
Available at home via your library card or within Lincolnshire Libraries.
Available at home via your library card or within Lincolnshire Libraries.
Which?
View full reviews and money saving advice on a wide range of products and services, general consumer rights, finding reputable tradespeople, and avoiding scams.
Free access is available at Bourne, Boston, Gainsborough, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth, Mablethorpe, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford Libraries. Please ask a member of staff for assistance.
Free access is available at Bourne, Boston, Gainsborough, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth, Mablethorpe, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford Libraries. Please ask a member of staff for assistance.
Browse resources in our catalogue
Browse allHistorical collections
Dive into the past with our range of historical archives and ancestry tools.
Ancestry
Lincolnshire library members can access the UK's largest family history site for free.
Please note: this can only be accessed in the library.
Please note: this can only be accessed in the library.
Find My Past
Free access on site to certain records to help your genealogical research, including: UK and Maritime BMDs (birth, marriage and death records), Merchant Navy Records, England and Wales census records 1841-1921.
John Johnson Collection
Access thousands of pictures and prints about daily life in Britain over the last 300 years providing an insight into society over time. Available at your local library.
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Details the lives, accomplishments and portraits of over 55,000 people who have shaped British history over 2,500 years.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Whos' Who and Who Was Who
Reliable information on significant British people past and present since 1897. Profiles of noteworthy people and their achievements, provided by the subject themselves.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Free access onsite and remotely, please enter LIN before library card number if accessing remotely.
Browse resources in our catalogue
Browse allNewspaper and media archives
Whether you're studying or researching a topic you're interested in, find what you need with these digital newspaper and media records.
British Newspaper Archive
The British Library Newspaper Archive contains over 54 million pages of national and regional newspapers from 1600 onward, with a wide range of Lincolnshire historical papers. Only available free in the library when using one our public computers.
Times Digital Archive
The historic archive of The Times daily newspaper from 1785-2019. Useful for historic research, search the database to view scans of the original papers and articles.
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Free access onsite and remotely (library card number required if accessing remotely)
Pressreader
With this online tool, library members can get instant access to over 4000 newspapers from 100 countries in 60 languages.
Visit the website or install the PressReader app. To sign in, tap Sign In, then select Library or group, search for 'Lincolnshire' and input your library card number and PIN.
Visit the website or install the PressReader app. To sign in, tap Sign In, then select Library or group, search for 'Lincolnshire' and input your library card number and PIN.
BFI replay
BFI replay is a free archive of videos and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive. (Please note: this can only be accessed in the library.)
Discover archive collections
Browse allExplore our large and growing collection of eBooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers, Audiobooks, and Music, available free with your library card. With hundreds of thousands of titles from all major publishers and authors, there is always something new to discover.
