Online Resources

Use our free online resources for consumer research, online classes, language learning, newspaper reading and more.

Displaying 1 - 9 of 9
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  • Research

    Dictionary of Canadian Biography

    Use the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online to review the lives and achievements of individuals who played important roles in the formation of Canada.  This major research and publishing project was launched by the University of Toronto and the Université Laval in 1959, and currently covers persons who died between the years 1000 and 1930, or whose last known date of significant activity falls within these years.

    Content Language
    Bilingual
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Terms of Use
  • Read

    Hill Times

    The Hilltimes.com – Canada’s political and government news service

    Customers can access PDF versions of Ottawa's own twice-weekly newspaper, as well as previous, achieved issues back to 2004, or download and print a copy.  They can also search articles dating back to 1989, and access PDF versions of the Embassy Archives from 2004 to 2016. The Hill Times absorbed Embassy magazine and doubled its print edition to be twice-a-week starting from April 2016.

    In addition to the digital edition of the Hill Times, there will be full access to HillTimes.com for daily updated breaking exclusive stories and in-depth articles about the people, the policies, and the politics that make the news. Enjoy a diversity of opinions and points of view, from various political angles.

    Both In-library and unlimited simultaneous remote access from home are available.

    The Hill Times is independently owned and based in Ottawa. Their website states that they are independent and non-partisan. Articles are written by well-respected journalists.

    Content Language
    English
  • Watch

    Hoopla

    This digital media service provides customers access to motion picture films, television shows, complete music albums, graphic novels & comics, and BingePasses. The collection includes current and past hits, as well as classics. There is a variety of genres to choose from, with something for all ages. Let's be connected, inspired, and entertained together every day!

    • The collection is not permanent – titles get pulled and new content is added all the time.
    • Customers can stream or temporarily download up to 4 titles per month per card. The download feature is available exclusively on mobile devices, through the app.
    • The borrowing period for movie and TV content is between 48-72 hours (2-3 days), music albums (considered as one item) are 7 days, and comics collection is 21 days.
    • Titles are available instantly with no holds, waitlists, or late fees.
    • Borrowed titles are automatically returned following the borrowing period.
    • Hoopla is accessible from your computer, laptop, or wireless device.
    • Customers must register for an account with an email address and a valid OPL card number, in order to access the service.
    • The data used to stream Hoopla from the Internet at home or from your mobile device will count towards your Internet service provider’s monthly bandwidth cap. Watching a regular-length movie uses about 1GB of data for each stream of standard definition video. Streaming an album uses about 35 MB of data.

    Due to rising costs from increased usage and higher prices per item, we’re adjusting Hoopla’s borrowing limits to ensure sustainable access for all clients.

    Now, the monthly credit for Hoopla has been  reduced from 6 to 4 credits per month.

    By popular request, hoopla is now available on Android Auto! Listen to music more safely and easily using your vehicle's in-dash display.

    There are two types of BingePass available on Hoopla now. Each checkout of an individual BingePass offers Unlimited Streaming for 7 days with a single borrow

    • The Great Courses BingePass: Gain access to hundreds of popular online courses from leading experts and professors. The robust platform includes courses on language, history, travel, fitness, nutrition, personal and professional development, and more.
    • Curiosity Stream BingePass: Access thousands of High-quality and engaging documentaries, films, shows, and series covering science, nature, travel, history, and more. Curiosity Stream has something for everyone - including an entire Curiosity KIDS collection tailored for younger learners

     

     

     

     

    Content Language
    English
    Help Guide(s)
    How Do I Update My Library Card Number in Hoopla?
    Getting Started with Hoopla Digital
    Hoopla on Android Auto
    Available Apps
    Apple
    Google
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Read

    Maclean's

    Canada's national current affairs magazine. Coverage includes news, social issues, politics, business, sports, health, education, arts and entertainment.

    • Effective on Nov.1, 2025, Maclean's will be available on Overdrive Magazines Platform and no longer available on Flipster eMagazine Platform
    Content Language
    English
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Learn

    MAURIL : Digital Platform for Learning French and English

    Mauril is a new, free digital platform to help clients learn English and French.

    • 100% Canadian French and English
    • Exercises designed for all levels
    • Progress at your own pace
    • A wide range of stimulating, entertaining , and captivating content from CBC/Radio-Canada
    • Improve oral comprehension and integrate language knowledge in everyday life
    • Feel more confident using French or English in any context 

     

    Getting started with Mauril is easy. Download the app on Apple and Android mobile phones and tablets, or use the website version. Simply create a profile and access your learning journey from any device, whenever and wherever you wish!

    The platform is called Mauril to pay tribute to the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, the former Ottawa-Vanier MP who championed official languages in Canada. It is financed and endorsed by the Government of Canada, this new tool is designed and deployed by CBC/Radio-Canada, in collaboration with a committee of pedagogical experts..

    Content Language
    Bilingual
    Available Apps
    Apple
    Google
  • Watch

    Medici.tv | EDU

    The world's premier resource for classical music videos, it gives you unlimited and simultaneous access to stunning live events streamed every year from the world’s most prestigious venues. Plus, it offers thousands of concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries, master classes, Jazz, and many more films from the 1940s through to the present day. Available on all digital devices anytime, anywhere.

    The new Jazz music collection is available now. You can simply click the 'Jazz' tab at the top of the Medici.tv home page.

    You can change the language setting to English, French, Spanish, and Russian

    A new feature on Medici. tv: you can create your individual account. For more detailed info, please click  the help guide link

    Medici.tv|EDU  iOS mobile app & Android mobile app are now available!

    Download it at no cost, sign in using your existing individual account, and cast the extensive on-demand catalog and live streams to your TV with Airplay or Chromecast.

    Content Language
    English
    Help Guide(s)
    medici.tv | EDU Help Center
    How to use the individual account for library users
    User Guide- The Medici.TV mobile App
    How do I log in to the medici.tv app?
    Available Apps
    Apple
    Google
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Terms and Conditions
  • Learn

    Mozaik

    Free and unlimited online courses in French. Learn languages, sewing, singing, coding for kids, watch documentary films, and more! Find audiobooks, BD (graphic novels) on the Nextory app, as well as games such as sudoku and crossword puzzles.

    Content Language
    French
    Available Apps
    Apple
    Google
  • Research

    MyHeritage Library Edition

    MyHeritage Library Edition™ contains billions of historical documents from more than 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes and additional resources. Available in 40 languages, it is the largest, most internationally diverse family history research database in the world.

    Users can access MyHeritage Library Edition either at the library or from the comfort of home via built-in remote access

    Please note:

    MyHeritage Library Edition, differs from the consumer version of My Heritage

    Personal authentication and all personalization features, such as tree creation, have been expressly disabled in the Library Edition by design to protect the privacy of users.

     

    Content Language
    English
    Help Guide(s)
    Tutorial: Learn how to use the MyHeritage Library Edition
    MyHeritage Library Edition Handout
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