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Online Resources

Featured Resources

The library subscribes to the following resources so you can access them for free with your library card!

In-Library Only

Ancestry Library Edition (In-Library use only) – provides genealogical and historical research capabilities. With more than 5 billion names in over 4,600 databases, includes census, military, court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; and passenger lists.

KnowBC Online (In-Library use only) – Includes the following resources:

  • Encyclopedia of British Columbia – With more than 4,000 entries and 1,500 accompanying photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips.
  • Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest – A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes.
  • The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names – A Complete Reference to Coastal British Columbia
  • Far West – The Story of British Columbia
  • Raincoast Chronicles 20 – Lilies and Fireweed: Frontier Women of British Columbia.
  • Where Mountains Meet the Sea – A History of Coastal BC

Available Remotely (from home)

BC Historical Newspapers – access 125+ years of digital news archives at no charge, remotely, anytime – no authentication required. This online access is made possible through a collaboration of academic, public, and school libraries across B.C. Log in straight from this page to search nearly 5 million digitized pages of news, ads, images and more that showcase B.C.’s heritage – a remarkable trove of content for research, teaching, and learning.

Global Road Warrior – The ultimate guide to the world for travelers.

World Book Encyclopedia – All of these products are available for your use:


More Recommended Resources

BC Laws – Free public access to the Statutes & Regulations of B.C.

British Columbia Codes – Includes the current BC Building Code (including Plumbing Services) and the BC Fire Code.

British Columbia Statistics – Statistics on population, business, the economy, labour and society. From BCStats, the central statistical agency of the Province of British Columbia.
Access 2006 Census full (31 page) profiles or any item with a “key” icon beside it is available here. (Note: Remote access is permitted if your library can provide authentication.)

Business Plan Handbooks – A compilation of business plans developed by small businesses throughout North America. Access is made possible by the Small Business Accelerator at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at UBC with financial support from the Sutherland Foundation.

Canadian Encyclopedia – A comprehensive information source about Canada and Canadians, for students, the general public and scholars. Includes articles written by experts, as well as web links and multimedia clips.  No library card is required to access these resources on the Internet.

Clicklaw – An Internet subject guide to authoritative legal resources in BC and Canada. Developed by the Legal Services Society of BC and now maintained by the BC Courthouse Library Society. No library card is required to access this resource on the Internet.

Vehicle Safety and Inspection Standards Online – Current vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation.