You are here

Home / Member Resources & Services / Reference / Online Resources

Information for Readers

These online information resources can help you find the reliable answers you need. All you need is a library card to access most of them from home because they’re made available by your public library, the South Central Library System, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) through the BadgerLink project, and LSTA funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. As an added bonus you also can turn to a librarian for additional help at your public library.

What are you looking for?

Q -- "My book club is reading a book by Jodi Picoult. Where can I find out more information about her?"

A -- NoveList features author information about contemporary writers. Literature Resource Center and Literary Reference Center also have author information.

Q -- "I'm looking for a poem by past Poet Laureate Donald Hall. Where can I find one?"

A -- Find the full text of many shorter literary works in LitFinder.

Q -- "I have to read a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and all the books by him are checked out. Where else can I look?"

A -- Find the full text of many shorter literary works in LitFinder.

Q -- "For my 8th-grade English class I have to write a report on Lois Lowry. Where do I look to find out about her?"

A -- TeachingBooks.net has information about children’s and young adult authors (it also includes discussion questions for books), as does NoveList .

Q -- "I've read everything written by W.E.B. Griffin and I need more to read! What other authors write like him?"

A -- NoveList and NoveList K-8 offer ways to search for books similar to ones you’ve already read and enjoyed.

Resources for Readers

  • Find information about authors and their works with Literature Resource Center and Literary Reference Center.
     
  • To access thousands of full-text poems, short stories, essays, speeches and plays, use LitFinder. It also includes biographies, work summaries, photos, and a glossary. Access to LitFinder is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
     
  • For fiction reviews and annotations, Author Read-alikes, What We're Reading, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Annotated Book Lists, turn to NoveList or NoveList K-8.
     
  • Digital Audio Books are available through OverDrive. 
     
  • For original, up-close profiles of authors and illustrators, audio excerpts of book readings, guides to thousands of titles, and a wealth of resources on children's and young adult literature, use TeachingBooks.net. Access to TeachingBooks.net is provided as part of the BadgerLink project.
     
  • Access a database of millions of records describing books and other library materials from around the world using Worldcat. Use it to find items you are unable to find in LINKcat, then ask your library to request it for you. Please read the FAQ first. WorldCat is a registered trademark of OCLC Inc. 
Brought to you by your library and the South Central Library System, serving Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk & Wood counties.