Online Resources

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

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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
  • Research

    PRDH (Programme de recherche en démographie historique)

    Database containing a directory of civil status records (baptisms, marriages and burials) in Quebec (1621-1799), a genealogical dictionary of families (1621-1765) and a directory of couples and descendants. 

    Please log in to Genealogy Quebec separately if you would like to use materials linked to both databases.

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

    PressReader

    Provides access to today’s newspapers and magazines from all over the world. Advanced features allow automated translation as well the ability to listen to articles. Canadian newspaper titles include the Ottawa Citizen, the Globe and Mail, National Post, Le Devoir, Le Journal de Montréal, and Toronto Star. Internationally you can read USA Today, The Wall Street Journal (USA), The Guardian (United Kingdom), Le Figaro (France), Izvestia (Russia) and Der Tagesspiegel (Germany). Popular magazines include Canadian Geographic, Maximum PC and Canada’s Style at Home.

    • Please be advised that there will be no August 2 issue for The Economist as per the publisher's notice. Regular uploads/issues will resume on August 9.
    • The PressReader App is not granting paid access to OPL customers at the moment. We hope to have the issue fixed as soon as possible. PressReader access via the website is still working normally.
    • You don’t need to create a separate PressReader account, without a PressReader account, you can still access any of the titles offered by Ottawa Public Library on PressReader.
    • All you need is a library card and a pin to sign in via a login page on the OPL website or PressReader App. That’s it!
    • Customers logged in through App need to re-authenticate after 30 days while Customers logged in through EzProxy (via library website) need to re-authenticate after 2 days
    • For the download storage, customers have the option to choose how long they wanted to keep the downloaded back issues.
    • The Wall Street Journal is now available from PressReader.,
    • Access to The Globe and Mail is limited to customers using PressReader in a library branch due to restrictions imposed by the publisher.
    • Full-text remote access for Globe & Mail is available from the following three databases: Canadian Major Dailies_ProQuest, Gale Academic Onefile & Gale  OneFiile: Business
    • The Washington Post is no longer available from the PressReader platform as per the publisher's request. However, full-text access for The Washington Post is available from our other two databases: Academic OneFile and Gale OneFile: Business. (delayed 1 day).
    • Los Angeles Times is no longer available from the PressReader platform as per the publisher's request.
    • PressReader stopped the distribution of Russian content, due to the decision of its upper management.

    • Libraries generally have 90 days of back issues. (Such as Toronto Star). There are, however, restrictions that are set by specific publishers on how far back issues are available.  In this case, the available back issue is different for each publication. Such as  The Globe and Mail only allows a maximum of 7 days back issues, while Ottawa Citizen and National Post allow up to 30 days. Other popular titles that are similar are The Guardian which only allows 14-day back issues and The Wall Street Journal only allows 2 days back issues

       

     

    Content Language
    English
    French
    Help Guide(s)
    How Do I Update My Library Card Number in Pressreader?
    PressReader App Guide
    List of Available Newspapers and Magazines
    PressReader Help Center
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Learn

    Pronunciator

    Pronunciator is unique in offering personalized courses in any of 163 languages, and instruction in any of 144 home languages, ESL courses, audio lessons, American and Mexican Sign Languages. Pronunciator also includes ProCitizen, comprehensive preparation for the Canadian citizenship test. Users have unlimited, simultaneous, remote access.

    Note:

    Through the “Learning Guides and More” section in American English or Canadian English, respectively to access ProCitizen : US or ProCitizen: Canada

    • ProCitizen: Canada! With over 100 instructional videos, and over 500 practice questions, this course provides a comprehensive preparation for the Canadian Citizenship Test. Topics include Rights and Responsibilities; Canada's History; How Canadians Govern Themselves; Federal Elections; the Justice System; Canadian Symbols; Canada's Economy; Canada's Regions; and the Oath of Citizenship.

    Go Mobile The Pronunciator app is written in responsive HTML5, and can be used in any browser — even the browser in your mobile device.

    Content Language
    English
    Help Guide(s)
    Pronunciator Help Center
  • Research

    Reference Solutions (Formerly Reference Canada)

    Reference Solutions is a provider of business and consumer research.

    There are several databases to search:

    Canadian Businesses: A directory of 2.3 million Canadian businesses

    U.S.Jobs/Internships: 2.5 Million Job Postings

    Canadian White Pages: 11 million Canadian households. Records are 100% publicly sourced to comply with Canadian privacy laws.

    Content Language
    English
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Learn

    Road to IELTS - Academic Module

    The Road to IELTS - Academic module provides an introduction, advice and tutorials, as well as interactive practices and simulated mock tests. These will help people prepare for the IELTS academic exam for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment.   

    See the IELTS Academic syllabus for detailed information.

    The OPL also offers the IELTS General Training Module.

    The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language test for higher education and global migration. 

    There are two types of IELTS test: the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General Training.

    Both tests provide an assessment of four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

    The IELTS Academic measures whether your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment or professional registration. It reflects aspects of academic language and assesses whether you’re ready to begin studying or training.

    Content Language
    English
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Learn

    Road to IELTS - General Training Module

    The Road to IELTS- General Training module provides an introduction, advice and tutorial, as well as interactive practices and simulated mock tests. These will help people prepare General Training test for immigration, secondary education, work experience or training programs in English speaking countries.

    You can run the program on mobile as well as tablet, desktop and laptop. 

    See the IELTS General Training syllabus for detailed information.

    OPL also offers the Academic Module.

     

    The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language test for higher education and global migration purposes. 

    There are two types of IELTS test: the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

    Both tests provide an assessment of four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

    The IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.

    The IELTS is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. 

    Content Language
    English
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
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