Online Resources

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

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  • Research

    FamilySearch Affiliate Library

    FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history.

    Ottawa Public Library is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, this designation means library clients will now have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch at our 33 branches.

    Benefits of an Affiliate Library

    • Due to contractual obligations, some images are only viewable online through FamilySearch centers and Affiliate Libraries
    • Through the affiliate program, OPL customers have access to over 350 million additional records that are otherwise restricted

    This resource is available for in-library use only.

    Please note that each individual client must log into FamilySearch using their own unique username and password. There is no institutional login. 

     

    Beginning April 30, 2026, clients will be required to sign in to access the FamilySearch Catalog. To help prepare for this change, a notification banner has been added to the top of the FamilySearch Catalog landing page for clients who are not signed in.

    This update is being implemented as part of ongoing efforts to improve website security and ensure appropriate access to records.

    Content Language
    English
    Help Guide(s)
    Why do historical records have access limitations?
    What are the image restrictions in Historical Records?
    Affiliate Library Additional Resources
    Frequently asked questions
  • Research

    Gale Academic OneFile (Formerly Academic OneFile)

    Nearly 15,000 journals with full-text and indexed articles on a wide range of academic subjects with strengths in the physical sciences, technology, social sciences, the arts, business, literature and more.  A wide range of limiters provide options for peer-reviewed, full-text articles, many as far back as 1980.

    Access from home will prompt you to re-enter your library card number.

    Full-text remote access for Globe & Mail is available here:

    • Login to Gale Academic Onefile by using your library account
    • Click Go to Publication Search
    • Type Globe and Mail in the search box
    • Click on the search results for The Globe and Mail
    • Select different years and browse specific issues
    Content Language
    English
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Read

    Gale Ebooks

    This collection of reference eBooks -- the kind of reliable, in-depth material once in a printed reference collection -- gives full-text access to thousands of articles on a wide variety of topics. Users can search topics within a single reference book or within the entire collection of books.  Some sample titles are: Schirmer Encyclopedia of Film, Encyclopedia of World Biography, Business Plans Handbooks (44 volumes of full-text business plans), World Encyclopedia of Police Forces and Correctional Systems, Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Encyclopaedia Judaica, and Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, & Addictive Behavior.

    Access from home will prompt you to re-enter your library card number.

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

    Gale OneFile: Business

    Gale OneFile: Business provides full-text coverage of all business disciplines including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management, and strategy, as well as business theory and practice. Users will understand the activities of companies and industries worldwide through nearly 4,000 leading business and trade publications, updated daily. Complementing these titles is a selection of international, U.S., and regional news publications, all available on the state-of-the-art Gale OneFile platform.

    Access from home will require that you re-enter your library card number.

    Full text remote access for Globe & Mail is available here:

    • Login to Gale OneFile: Business by using your library account
    • Click Go to Publication Search
    • Type Globe and Mail in the search box
    • Click on the search results for The Globe and Mail
    • Select different years and browse specific issues
    Content Language
    English
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Research

    Gale OneFile: Entrepreneurship

    Ideal for business schools and entrepreneurs, Gale OneFile: Entrepreneurship is updated daily and provides insights, tips, strategies, and success stories. Users find more than 600 subject-appropriate, active, full-text periodicals on general topics and specific business & Economics and  Small Business topics, including Beverage Industry, Black Enterprise, Economist, Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, HR Magazine, Real Estate Weekly, Restaurant Business, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, and more.  

    Access from home will require you to re-enter your library card number.

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

    Globe and Mail: ProQuest Historical Newspapers (1844-2019)

    This digitized version of The Globe and Mail includes all of the newspapers' sections, images, classifieds, advertisements, births, deaths, political cartoons and more for the dates covered.   Users can browse by date or perform a keyword search.

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

    Just for Kids

    Over 8,092 fun and informative video and audio titles featuring Berenstain Bears, Franklin the Turtle, Wild Kratts and many more.  Subject areas include arts, music, animals, sports, hobbies, math, science and reading.  More than 430 educational interactives are also available.

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

     

     

    Content Language
    English
    French
    Help Guide(s)
    How Do I Update My Library Card in Kanopy?
    Getting Started with Kanopy
    Reactivating a library membership
    Verifying your email address
    Available Apps
    Apple
    Google
    Privacy and Terms of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Use
  • Learn

    Learning Express Library

    LearningExpress Library Canada includes academic skill-building, test preparation and career-related resources all in one easy-to-use online platform. Organized into targeted learning centers, this all-in-one resource supports those looking to improve core academic skills, pass English proficiency tests or the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), prepare for college, join the military or RCMP Police Aptitude Test (RPAT), obtain occupational certification, find a job, change careers, become a Canadian citizen, and much more. Learning centers contain practice tests, interactive tutorials, e-books, articles and flashcards.

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