Homework Help

Tuesday, March 17 : All San Jose Public Libraries are closed to the public until further notice. Learn more here.

Wednesday, April 8 : Due to our temporary closures, we are currently not accepting book donations at any location.

All eResources

eResources Help

San Jose Library Card and PIN needed for home access to these online resources. Get an eLibrary Card.

Test Prep and Online Learning

ABCmouse Home Checkout (4-week checkout)

ABCmouse is designed to teach children ages 2-8+.

ABCmouse In-Library Use

ABCmouse is designed to teach children ages 2-8+. For use within SJPL branches or King Library.

Highway stretching toward cloud-covered hills in the distance.

Driving Tests

Practice tests for the California driving permit.

Lightbulb within chalk drawing of a thought bubble.

LearningExpress Library Tutorials, Tests, eBooks (Grades 4-adult)

Practice tests for SAT, ACT, GED and more.

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Lynda.com

Online video courses on creative, business, and technology topics.

four small blocks depicting heads with gears inside; the last one is being turned over to reveal a lightbulb

School Center - LearningExpress Library

Offers test preparation, homework help, and skill building for elementary, middle, and high school students.

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Tutor.com

Get help from a live certified tutor, access practice tests and videos.

More Details

Articles

Articles - Basic Search

Search newspapers, magazines, and other trustworthy sources for articles on any topic.

opening between four giant stacks of magazines

Articles - In Depth Search (For high school level and up.)

Search multiple sources to find articles from magazines, journals, newspapers, books, and primary sources. Includes Academic Search Complete.

Mercury News Online

Unlimited access to the Mercury News - In Library only
Note: In Library Only

a pile of newspapers sits on a table that is out of view.

New York Times Online

Full access to current news and limited access to archives. New York Times digital website.
Note: 5/26/20 - New York Times Online access is currently unavailable. The issue is being investigated.

How to use the New York Times at home

tablet devices with News displaying on them

Newsbank

Articles from the San Jose Mercury News back to 1985.

Social Studies

AtoZ the USA

Facts and news about each state, including history, maps, symbols, climate, economy, pictures, and statistics. Great for travel planning and for school state reports.

sunglasses, camera, pen, and two U.S. passports lying atop a map of the world

AtoZ World Travel

Get information on major cities worldwide, including current news, info about currency, culture, language, electricity & phone, and other important information for travelers.

Veins of light from cities all over the Earth as seen from space.

Global Issues in Context

Many perspectives on current global issues.

man and woman standing on facing cliffs shouting at each other through megaphones

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Opinions on all sides of an issue.

United States Census Bureau

The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.

Dancing girl and crowd at Indian Holi festival.

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life

3rd ed. 2017. Covers cultural groups in Asia, Europe, the Americas & Africa. Covers history, politics, customs, religion, education, human rights issues, teen life, and more.

Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations

14th ed. 2017. Offers information on more than 200 countries and dependencies from around the world. Also includes biographical essays on national leaders.

Reading and Literature

Child with cardboard airplane wings points at the blue sky.

Beanstack

Awesome book and app recommendations, hand-picked for your child by librarians. Participate in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.

Get the iOS app

Get the Android app

letters flying out of a book forming the word, Literature

Literary Reference Center

Literary criticism, plot summaries, author biographies, poems, short stories, and reviews.

NoveList K-8 Plus (Grades K-12)

Find out what books to read next based on your favorite books and topics.
Note: Use your library card number when NoveList asks you for "Patron ID".

NoveList Plus

Book recommendations based on what you like.
Note: Use your library card number when NoveList asks you for "Patron ID".

metal letters spelling out the word Poetry

Poetry & Short Story Reference Center

Complete poems and short stories, and information about poets and authors.

books and a pencil cup sit on a desk in front of a chalkboard covered mathematical formulas.

TeachingBooks.net provides original, in-studio movies of authors and illustrators, and a wealth of multimedia resources on K–12 books to support reading and library activities for all grades and content areas.

History and Biography

Biography in Context

Hundreds of thousands of biographical entries, past and present, from around the world

Defining Documents in American History - LGBTQ+ (1923-2017)

Offers analysis of primary source documents drawn from the ongoing movement to achieve recognition and equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

outline map of the world continents filled with rainbow colors

Global Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) History

Covers LGBTQ topics in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East, as well as North America, and takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subject.

Library of Congress Digital Collections

Take advantage of all the Library of Congress offers - from home! Digital Collections features thousands of items in hundreds of subject areas.

Missions of California eBooks

Over 20 full-color browser-based eBooks for students to read about California missions. Each eBook includes history of the mission, the mission today, and a project. Perfect for school reports.
Note: Login with username: missions, password: missions

Social Studies Fact Cards

Short, fact-filled articles for students in grades 4-8 about missions, explorers, ranch life, American Indians, and general history of the California area.

Statues of U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War.

U.S. History in Context

Articles & more about U.S. History.

World History in Context

Articles & more about history around the world.

General Reference

Britannica Escolar

Britannica Escolar es una enciclopedia en dos partes con portales para estudiantes de primaria y secundaria.

open book has pages on one side and compuer on other.

Britannica School

Britannica School is a three part encyclopedia with portals for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Explora for Elementary School Students (Grades K-5)

Search by keyword or by topic to find magazines, reference books, photos, videos, images, and flags.

Explora for High School Students (Grades 9-12)

Research help for high school students.

Explora for Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)

Research help for middle school students.

keyboard detail with blue 'Research' key where 'enter' should be

Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)

Search or browse eBooks on Business, Cooking & Food, Kids interest, and more!

A desk covered in school supplies such as glue, crayons, and markers

Scholastic Teachables

Easy to print lesson plans, worksheets, and activities on a wide variety of subjects for PreK - 8 educators.

College and Career

hand brainstorming ideas on a chalkboard, all pointing to a lightbulb

Career Preparation - LearningExpress Library

Offers preparation for professional exams, information about occupations, and skill-building for the workplace.

asfault road in the desert with the word Career on it

Career Transitions

Explore career ideas, prepare for a job search, get a job.

crumpled pieces of paper and glowing lightbulb

College Admission Test Preparation - LearningExpress Library

Getting into college is an important step to building a strong future. Use this center to get the resources you need to achieve your college preparation goals.

Key with education label tied to it sits next to a small graduation cap

College Blue Book

44thed. 2017. Guide to thousands of 2-and 4-year schools in the U.S. and Canada. Covers the expected listings and detailed descriptions, degree programs offered, scholarships, and occupational education programs.