You will need your Library card number to access some of these resources at home.
List of online databases
Drug Info
Web resources and public library collections selected by specialist staff at the State Library of New South Wales, in consultation with experts in the field.
Cumberland libraries have collections providing easy to read information on:
- Commonly used drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, party drugs, heroin, inhalants, steroids and tobacco
- Non-medical use of prescribed drugs
- Current issues such as drugs in sport
- Drugs and the law
- Drugs and mental health
- Alcohol, guidelines and how to cope with problem drinking
- Personal narratives and biographies
- Where to go for help and support
Family History
Ancestry Library Edition - library access only
A genealogy research tool containing more than 1.5 billion names in over 4000 databases and includes records from the United States Census, military records, court, land and probate records, church records, directories, passenger lists and more.
Findmypast.com.au - library access only
Search 50 million records for Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea. Find your past using our family history records and many more for local and social history. Now includes resources previously available through the Find My Past UK site with over 650 million family history records including records from each of the Victorian (1841-1901) censuses. You can access to the 1911 and 1921 censuses and the 1939 register.
Created and maintained by the National Library of Australia, Trove helps you find and use resources relating to Australia and brings together content from libraries, museums, archives and other research organisations. Search for books, photos, historical newspaper articles and so much more.
Find Legal Answers
The Find Legal Answers web guide provides access to current information about the law in NSW. The guide lists useful resources, organised by topic, that are available on the web and in print.
Topics include:
- Family Law
- Consumer rights
- Neighbour disputes
- Making a will
- Traffic offences
- Going to court
Cumberland libraries have:
- The Find Legal Answers Tool Kit – a collection of easy to read and practical books about the law
- Hot Topics publications – legal issues in plain language
Auburn and Merrylands Libraries also have additional collections of legal resources and staff trained to assist with searching for legal information.
Legal advice is available from organisations contained in the referral guide.
General Interest
Community Information Directory
A community information resource, listing services and organisations within the Cumberland area.
Created and maintained by the National Library of Australia, Trove helps you find and use resources relating to Australia and brings together content from libraries, museums, archives and other research organisations. Search for books, photos, historical newspaper articles and so much more.
Help with Homework and Assignments
Studiosity allows students to connect with qualified tutors online using the Library’s public computers or at home using their own computer. Get help with homework, assignments, projects and exam revision. You will need to enter your Library membership number for access. You can access Studiosity from 3pm to 10pm on school days only.
Languages and IELTS
Practical Writing will help you develop your writing skills, both for school (for example, essays) and for life (for example, job applications).
Road to IELTS – General Training Module
Intensive work on vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking helping to develop the skills to the level needed to succeed in the IELTS exam.
Road to IELTS – Academic Module
Intensive work on vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking helping to develop the skills to the level needed to succeed in the IELTS exam.
LiteracyPlanet is an online learning resource offering an interactive and fun learning program to assist in childhood literacy development.
Research & Education (NEW)
The Gale Databases are a collection of databases that cover topics such as DIY repair, science, history, gardening and news.
Discover the world's most influential people by searching narrative biographies, news, magazine, and multimedia content.
Answer the age-old question, 'What do I read next?' Search and match reading interests to books, authors, genres, or topics.
Learn how to start, finance, or manage your small business. Includes sample business plans, how to guides, articles, and more.
Grow, plan, and optimize a business/nonprofit. Utilize development tools and a step-by-step process to build a business plan.
Find a variety of information from major cooking and nutrition magazines as well as key reference.
Access a range of periodical content to explore cultural differences, contributions, and influences in the global community.
Understand environmental issues that affect people globally through topic overviews, journals, news, and multimedia content.
Find millions of articles on the practical and scientific aspects of horticulture studies. For all the horticultural enthusiasts.
Access general interest magazines and key serials in a single resource. Best for general research.
Analyze important global issues and events through topic overviews, international viewpoints, news, and multimedia content.
Search a full range of health-related issues, from current disease and disorder information to alternative medical practices.
Search home improvement topics such as architectural techniques, tool and material selection, zoning requirements, and more.
Find up-to-date biographies, overviews, full-text criticisms, audio interviews, and reviews on writers from all eras.
Explore amazing adventures in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space. Best for children aged 6 to 14 years.
National Geographic Virtual Library
Browse this cross-searchable platform for research insight from journalism's most trusted name in exploration and discovery.
Access major U.S. and international newspapers online to search articles instantly by title, headline, date, or other fields.
Find overviews, news, and opinions on hundreds of today's important social issues.
Research the impact of religion on culture throughout history, including literature, arts and language. Updated daily.
Understand context for hundreds of science topics through overviews, journals, news, interactive experiments, and more.
Manipulate 3D interactive models to visualize and understand concepts in biology, chemistry, earth, and space science.
Uncover information on hundreds of the most significant people, events, and topics in world history from a variety of sources.
State Library NSW eResources
Access State Library of NSW online resources
Use your Library card to access State Library of NSW online resources. Login to access local & international newspapers, full-text journals, magazines, online databases, eBooks and eAudiobooks.