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Research & Learn: Search

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has the tools you need for any research or informational need. The Library provides free access to newspaper and magazine articles, homework help, genealogy, job and career help, financial resources, and more. These resources help you find quality materials that you can trust.

 

Please note, some resources require your library card or ONE Access ID number and PIN to access resources outside the Library. 

 

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    1. *Periodicals List

      The Periodicals List shows full-text magazines, newspapers, and journals that the Library has access to and tells how to find them. The list includes electronic resources, paper, and microform holdings.

      Magazines
      Access Now

    2. Access Video Collection

      Access Video Collection (by Films on Demand) offers thousands of high quality streaming videos on business & economics, health & medicine, humanities & social sciences, and science & mathematics, as well as travel and fitness programming, home and how-to videos, indie films, and popular music performances. Includes Oscar, Emmy and Peabody award winning documentaries, interviews, instructional and vocational training videos, historical speeches and newsreels.

      Card Required
      Videos
      Access Now

    3. America's News (Newsbank)

      Explore and stay informed on local and national topics, people and events in areas such as business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues and more. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources spanning the U.S., including The Charlotte Observer. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.

      Card Required
      Newspapers
      Access Now

    4. Charlotte Observer

      Newsbank provides library customers with digital access to The Charlotte Observer. Databases can be searched separately as well as together. Articles are searchable by name, keyword or phrase.

      Included in our access:

      • Charlotte Observer (Historical access, 1886-1984) is an image database.*   
      • Charlotte Observer, The (NC) is a text database** and provides access from 1985 to the current date. 
      • Charlotte Observer, The (NC) 2018-current is an image database.*  Use this option to view the daily paper.
      • Charlotte Observer: The Blogs (NC) is a text database** that includes all the blogs published by the Charlotte Observer from 2005 to current.
      • Charlotte Observer, The Web Edition Articles (NC) are available from 2007 to current.
      • Charlotte Post, The (NC) content is available from 2006 to current.
      • Charlotte Semi-Weekly Observer (1892-1892).

           * Image database: When you view or select a date, phrase, etc. the results will show an image of the article as it appeared in print.

           ** Text database: A text database provides access to the text of the article, but it does not include images or display that article as it appeared in print.

      How to access The Charlotte Observer content with your library card:

      • Use the ACCESS NOW link below.  You will be prompted to enter your library card or ONE Access account number.
      • Choose which database you want to search.  Options are on the left side of the page under Shortcuts.  Click “Charlotte Post” or “Charlotte Observer Historical and Current”.
      • If you select “Charlotte Observer Historical and Current” you can search both databases using the search box at the top of the page.  If you want to search a specific year, review the options listed under "Source" and click the link to the Charlotte Observer that contains the year you would like to search.
      • Articles can be printed, saved as PDF or emailed.

      Need help?  Newsbank provides tips and tricks here.

      Card Required
      Newspapers
      Access Now

    5. Charlotte Post

      The Charlotte Post newspaper is minority owned and operated, and is a leading provider of diversified news, information, and entertainment from a Black perspective. Full text of issues from December 2006 to current is available.

      Card Required
      Newspapers
      Access Now

    6. Comics Plus All Access

      Comics Plus provides unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga for all ages. In addition to the full library, we also have a separate Children's Library and Teen Library collection. A library card and PIN is required for in library and remote use. Access Comics Plus in your browser or download the mobile app.

      Getting Started with Comics Plus All Access

      1. Find Comics Plus All Access on our Research & Learn page or, download and install the Comics Plus app for iOS or Android.
      2. Search for our library name, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Select Charlotte Mecklenburg Library NC -Full collection.  Enter your library card number and PIN.
      3. Browse the collection or search for a specific title.
      4. Hover or tap on the cover of the title you want to read and click/tap Read Now or Add to My Shelf.
      5. Read all the comics!

      Watch this video for an introduction to Comics Plus.

      Card Required
      E-Books
      Access Now

    7. Comics Plus Children's Library

      Comics Plus Children's Library offers unlimited, simultaneous use to comics, graphic novels, and manga. The Children's Library includes access to early readers, picture books, and series like Adventure Time, Bone, Minecraft, and the Big Nate. Content in this collection will contain story intensity, action, and violence equivalent to typical G or PG rated movies. Recommended for ages preK-10. A library card and PIN is required for in library and remote use. Access Comics Plus by clicking Access Now or download the mobile app.

      Getting Started with Comics Plus Children’s Library

      1. Find Comics Plus Children’s Library on our Research & Learn page or, download and install the Comics Plus app for iOS or Android.
      2. Search for our library name, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Select Charlotte Mecklenburg Library NC - Childrens Library.  Enter your library card number and PIN.
      3. Browse the collection or search for a specific title.
      4. Hover or tap on the cover of the title you want to read and click/tap Read Now or Add to My Shelf.
      5. Read all the comics!

      Watch this video for an introduction to Comics Plus.

      Card Required
      E-Books
      Access Now

    8. Comics Plus Teen Library

      Comics Plus Teen Library provides unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga in all genres especially for teens. Content in this collection will contain story intensity, action, and violence equivalent to a typical PG-13 rated movie. Recommended for ages 11-18. A library card and PIN are required for in library and remote use. Access Comics Plus by clicking Access Now or download the mobile app.

      Getting Started with Comics Plus Teen Library

      1. Find Comics Plus Teen Library on our Research & Learn page or, download and install the Comics Plus app for iOS or Android.
      2. Search for our library name, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Select Charlotte Mecklenburg Library NC - Teen Library.  Enter your library card number and PIN.
      3. Browse the collection or search for a specific title.
      4. Hover or tap on the cover of the title you want to read and click/tap Read Now or Add to My Shelf.
      5. Read all the comics!

      Watch this video for an introduction to Comics Plus.

      All titles are available 24/7 for online and offline reading.  An internet connection is required to browse and check out titles.  You can download titles for offline reading via the Comics Plus app.

       

      Card Required
      E-Books
      Access Now

    9. hoopla

      hoopla allows customers to instantly borrow e-books, comics, audiobooks, music, movies and television — with no holds, and no waiting! And there is no need to worry about late fees; hoopla features an automated service that returns your item once your time is up. Content can be streamed to computers, tablets or smartphones, and can be downloaded to mobile devices to allow for offline viewing any time.

      Getting Started
      If you are a first time user, create a hoopla account by clicking on the link to the hoopla site and selecting "Sign Up Now."  When creating your account, enter your email address, a password and your library card number. (Our Library does not use PIN numbers with hoopla.) If you are accessing with a tablet or smartphone, follow the instructions to download the free app compatible with your device. Enjoy! 
       
      Access the Collection
      • Click the "Access Now" button below
      • Download the hoopla app for Android or Apple.  
      • hoopla movies and tv can also be streamed on your Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku.
      • Check out hoopla help to see if your device is compatiable.
      Borrowing
      • You can check out up to 6 items from hoopla each month.  Unused borrows do not roll over.  Your check out limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.
      • Audiobooks, ebooks, and comics will be checked out for 21 days from the time your borrow the content.  Music is checked out for 7 days from the time you borrow the content.  Movies and tv are checked out for 3 days from the time you borrow the content.
      • Our hoopla content is always available so there is no need to place a hold!  If you are not finished with your book or audiobook at the end of the check out period, borrow it again!
      • Items are automatically returned at the end of the borrowing period.  If you wish to return your item early, click the Return Now  button located at the bottom of the title on the information page.
      • PRO TIP:   Out of borrows for the month but don't want to forget the title you would like to check out?  Add it to your favorites!  When logged in and viewing a title to save, click the heart icon. To view titles that you have saved, click on "My hoopla" at the top of the page, then click "Favorites".
      Tips

      Only interested in seeing content for kids and families?  Visit your "Settings" in the hoopla app or Account page on the hoopla site and flip the toggle to put hoopla into Kids Mode.  Doing so replicates the experience kids might have in the children's section of the Library.

      NEW Daily usage cap:

      Though our e-content services are free to customers, some of these services incur a cost to the Library each time someone borrows an item.  This is the case with hoopla.  To ensure our ability to provide access to hoopla year-round without exceeding our annual budget, there is a daily limit on hoopla lending.  If demand is especially high, and the limit is reached, you might receive a message when you try to borrow an item that says, "Our collective daily borrow limit set by your library has been reached and will reset at midnight.  Please browse and add titles to favorites so you can easily access them after midnight."  We recommend you try to borrow as early in the morning as possible, since the limit resets after midnight.

      Card Required
      Audiobooks
      Access Now

    10. hoopla en espanol

      hoopla permite a los clientes tomar prestados instantáneamente libros electrónicos, cómics, audiolibros, música, películas y programas de televisión, ¡sin retenciones ni esperas! Y no hay necesidad de preocuparse por los cargos por pagos atrasados; hoopla cuenta con un servicio automatizado que devuelve su artículo una vez que se acaba el tiempo. El contenido se puede transmitir a computadoras, tabletas o teléfonos inteligentes, y se puede descargar a dispositivos móviles para permitir la visualización sin conexión en cualquier momento.

      Card Required
      Audiobooks
      Access Now