Research Databases
PLEASE NOTE: as of July 1, 2025, databases available to you have been greatly reduced in number due to cuts to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' federal funding though the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Information in each database is from authoritative, published sources such as magazines, journals, newspapers, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other resources. Some databases may require your library card number.
Databases & Descriptions
- By Subject
- Alphabetically by Title, with descriptions
- PowerSearch
(use PowerSearch to search multiple databases at the same time) - Students
In addition to statewide databases, Massachusetts residents have access to a wide range of free, high-quality digital resource through the Boston Public Library (BPL), many of which can serve as alternatives to those no longer available through statewide systems. With a free BPL eCard -- available to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts-- you can access academic databases, online learning tools, newspapers, journals and more. To get a BPL ecard, visit www.bpl.org/ecard
List of databases discontinued on July 1, 2025: Boston Globe Article Archive; Britannica Moderna; Gale OneFile Select; Gale General OneFile; Gale Health & Wellness; Gale Interactive Science; Gale LegalForms; Gale Literature Resource Center; Heritage Quest Online; Peterson's Career Prep; Peterson's Test Prep; ProQuest Science Database; Transparent Language Online. Additionally, the Gale InContext suite will be discontinued, including: Biography; Elementary; Environmental Studies; Global Issues; Middle School; Science; US History; & World History.
Funding for the Research Databases is provided by Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), Massachusetts Library System (MLS), and Scituate Town Library.