Logging in from Home
Logging in from Home?
Some databases are marked with a 
symbol.
If you are connecting to these databases from home, you can click on that symbol or the "Access from Home" link below. For more assistance, see our Help Accessing Databases page.
Logging In to E-Resources
What Do I Need to Use e-Library Resources?
- You will need a Huntington Beach Public Library card to access our e-resources.
- Most resources will require you to log in with your library card number and 4-digit PIN.
- Your library card number is 14 digits, no spaces (normally begins with 2111900xxxxxxx).
- Your PIN# is the last four numbers of your phone number when you registered for your library card.
Don't have a library card yet?
Email library@hbpl.org to get started.
What Should I Read Next?
What Should I Read Next?
Find your new favorite book with NoveList!
Check out this comprehensive book guide that includes expert recommendations, reviews, articles, lists and more.
Document Holder
Digital Library Resources
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CloudLibrary This link opens in a new window
cloudLibrary is the library's main eBook provider and offers both eBooks and eAudiobooks for checkout. It is available as an app for smartphones/tablets from the App Store and Google Play Store. It can also be accessed on a computer through its website. cloudLibrary does not offer Kindle books, and while Amazon does have the cloudLibrary app in its app store, if you have a Kindle Fire, you will need to download the cloudLibrary app from their website. -
Hoopla Digital
Hoopla is a library media platform and app that allows users to instantly borrow and stream audiobooks, music, comics, eBooks, and movies with their Huntington Beach Public Library card. With Hoopla, you can stream movies on your computer and smart tv, download comics and books to read on your smartphone/tablet via the Hoopla app, and even listen to full albums and audiobooks via Android Auto of Apple CarPlay. You can currently borrow up to 7 items per month! -
Kanopy
Kanopy is an on-demand, streaming platform and mobile app for movies. Kanopy's library of over 30,000 titles is a great resource for documentaries, art films, and movies from independent filmmakers. Kanopy users also get free access to videos from the Great Courses series on history, humanities, and science. You can currently borrow 5 films per month. -
New York Times
The California State Library is pleased to offer the New York Times online for California Public Libraries. This link features direct access to world class journalism from 1851 to right now, including all articles, multimedia, as well as Spanish and Mandarin Chinese translations. You will need to request an access code every day to access the most current paper.
Research Databases
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Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports (CR) is a nonprofit organization providing unbiased product ratings and reviews. Their flagship magazine and buying guides contain reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research center. As a non-profit with no shareholders, CR accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests. Huntington Beach Public Library cardholders are able to view product ratings and reviews by searching EBSCO. -
Coursera
Coursera is an online course provider that focuses on helping individuals build the skills they need for in-demand jobs. It provides learners with access to more than 5,000 courses and certifications led by top businesses, universities, and organizations. Online courses offer subtitles in more than 50 languages and include: English for Business and Entrepreneurship (ESL), Foundations of Public Health Practice, Become an EMT, Bookkeeping Basics, Introduction to Google Docs, Design a Restaurant Menu, Food and Beverage Management, Branding: The Creative Journey. Coursera also contains “Gateway Certification,” a program for people without a college degree and with no experience in the field, built by leading companies such as Google. Facebook, and Salesforce. To sign up for a free trial account, generously provided by the California State Libary, please visit the Coursera section in our Business and Career Resources page.
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Brainfuse HelpNow
Brainfuse HelpNow is an all-in-one suite of tutoring services designed for a wide range of academic needs...whether it's tackling a tough homework problem, mastering a particular topic, or writing a paper. Brainfuse helps students and job seekers reach their goals by connecting them with qualified eTutors and job coaches. In addition to live tutoring, users have access to multimedia learning modules, interactive learning games, quizzes, and flashcards. -
Brainfuse JobNow / VetNow
Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for a wide range of career or veteran needs...whether it’s tackling a resume, writing a cover letter, navigating the VA system, or adjusting to a civilian career. JobNow & VetNow services include expert coaching and self-study tools. Users may access live, on-demand assistance from expert Job Coaches or Veteran Navigators. With JobNow & VetNow, users can communicate in real time via an online whiteboard by typing, drawing, and marking-up lessons and web content. Plus, users can use a secure file sharing feature in the writing lab to submit career documents to Job Coaches any time of the day. The Brainfuse full-service test center offers practice tests for all levels in math, reading, and writing as well as college preparatory tests - including the SAT. -
Data Axle Reference Solutions
Data Axle Reference Solutions is a business database that provides the most up-to-date consumer and business data on a total of 77 million businesses (including 17 million verified and 60 million unverified businesses). Information is updated weekly though nearly 24 millions phone calls placed per year. In DataAxle, you can search businesses by company name, executive title, business type, sales volume, employee size, year established, and more. If you choose to create a personal account, you can save your searches and search criteria to aid in future list building. -
EBSCO LearningExpress
LearningExpress has been made available to all public libraries in California via the California State Library as part of the American Rescue Plan Act to aid in recovery from the pandemic. It is aimed at helping students and professionals achieve their educational and career goals. LearningExpress contains interactive tutorials, practice tests, e-books, flashcards and articles for academic skill-building, standardized test preparation, career development resources. Students, who create a free account, will have access to academic skill-building, test prep and career-related resources. Professionals and job seekers, who create a free account, will have access to tools and resources needed for exploring careers, finding open positions, applying for jobs and getting hired. -
Explora
Explora is an EBSCO research database aimed at helping students and library patrons find reliable infromation for personal and classroom research. Find articles, e-books, essays and primary source documents about popular topics from reputable publishers recognized by library professionals. Database searches in Explora can be filtered by source type, date range, Lexile range and content provider...including the Orange County Business Journal and the Wall Street Journal. -
Gale Literary Index
An index of literary author and title references. -
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Selected Gale Ebooks are available including: Novels for Students, Encyclopedia of Medicine, Encyclopedia of World Biography,Encyclopedia of Film, Encyclopedia of Religion and more! -
GetSetUp
GetSetUp has been made available to all public libraries in California via the California State Library as part of the American Rescue Plan Act to aid in recovery from the pandemic. It contains a catalog of over 500 classes exclusively for older adults. During the week, GetSetUp offers more than 40 live classes every day as well as 25 on weekends. GetSetUp offers classes in the following categories: Technology Basics, Physical Health (exercise, healthy cooking), Mental Health (stress, meditation, dementia), Social Health (book club, gardening, pets), and Vocational Health (resume writing, interviewing). Use the coupon code (CSL-HB) when creating your free account to waive all class fees. -
HeritageQuest Online (Genealogy)
HeritageQuest Online is a database of unique primary sources and finding aids for local and family history research. Some examples of primary resources held within this database include census data, banking and military records, genealogies, and local histories. Genealogical and historical sources come from more than 60 countries, with coverage dating back as early as the 1700s. -
LinkedIn Learning
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act to aid in recovery from the pandemic, LinkedIn Learning has been made available to all public libraries in California via the California State Library. LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform tailored toward employee training and career/professional development. It contains an e-library of over 16,000 professionally-produced and self-paced, online courses. These courses are consistently-updated and translated across 7 languages (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese). If you are looking to develop skills to help further your career, look no further than LinkedIn Learning. -
Salem History
Full-text biographical articles from Salem Press reference books. This resource includes access to Great Lives from History and The 1980s in America and is perfect for researching historical figures.
What are Research Databases?
Research Databases Q&A
What are research databases?
Research databases are electronic resources that contain an organized body of related information from a wide range of well-known, authoritative sources. Although they are distributed via the Web, traditional search engines such as Google or Yahoo cannot easily retrieve the content (magazine and newspaper articles, reference books, television and radio broadcast transcripts, maps, photographs, pamphlets, etc.) in these resources. The scope of coverage varies—some databases such as EbscoHost are very broad, others such as Heritage Quest are more specialized.
What is the difference between using a database and doing a search on Google?
The information in databases has been reviewed and edited and comes from reliable, authoritative sources. Google returns results from public websites. Although there is an enormous volume of information on the Web, no oversight exists to guarantee the information retrieved is accurate, objective, and current.
Is there any charge for using them?
No. The Library has purchased subscriptions to these databases, so they can be provided free of charge to our patrons. Anyone can use them for free in the library and Library cardholders can also access the majority of the databases from home.
