Online Resources

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

Displaying 1 - 6 of 6
  • 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

     

     

     

     

  • Watch

    Kanopy

    Kanopy offers a large collection of high-quality films and documentaries from art-house classics to world cinema, all available to play on your PC, phone, tablet, and digital media player.

    Each client will have 8 tickets per month to watch films on Kanopy. Kanopy Kids is not included in the ticket system, and you can access its content without using any tickets

    • With this update, Next to the play button, clients will see how many tickets a title will use and how long they will have access to it before pressing play.
    • Episodic content will be labeled so clients know they are getting an entire bingeable season for the ticket value.
    • Ticket-free content, including titles in Kanopy Kids, will be labeled as 0 tickets

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

    The monthly ticket allowance for Kanopy has been reduced from 12 to 8 tickets per month.

    • The Kanopy app is available for both mobile and TV devices.
    • Kanopy can now be found in the Extras section of the Overdrive Libby app.
    • The Kanopy app and all the ways for you to browse, stream, and enjoy videos from Kanopy remain unchanged.

    Sometimes Kanopy requires the re-verification of a library card, but instead of the messaging that one would see in Libby (like being asked to re-enter a PIN), Kanopy blocks the card until the card can be checked again. 

    Please follow the instructions: reactivating a library membership 

     

     

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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