Subscription Databases and E-books
American Civil War Reference Library
Covers the events and people of the Civil War period and provides students with all the in-depth information they need for reports an class assignments, including biographical profiles and primary source materials.
American Decades
American Decades is a cross-disciplinary source for junior and high school students and teachers, public librarians and general researchers who need a single, consistent reference to document and analyze periods of contemporary American social history.
American Decades Primary Sources
Each volume of American Decades Primary Sources includes full or excerpted primary sources in 160-170 entries from the period representing a diversity of views that provide insight into the seminal issues, themes, movements, and events from the decade. Also included are concise contextual information, notes about the author, further resources, and photos and illustrations. Patterned after the popular American Decades series, each American Decades Primary Sources volume includes chapters on the arts, medicine and health, media, education, world events, religion, government and politics, lifestyles and social trends, law and justice, religion, business and the economy, and sports.
American Revolution Reference Library
Covers the events and people of the Revolutionary War period in easy-to-understand language. Students will find all the information they need for reports and class assignments on the period, including the biographies and primary source materials in this comprehensive set.
Ancient Civilizations Reference Library
The ancient civilizations of Iraq, Egypt, India, China, Central America and other regions are the focus of this remarkable contribution to student reference. This convenient 3-volume set compiles wide-ranging essays, biographies, definitions, timeline entries, bibliographies and much more for students looking for background information for reports or independent study. Each of the two titles in the reference library include maps, sidebars and statistics. Other helpful reference sections include "Words to Know" sections, ideas for further reading, report ideas, a general index and a bibliography.
California Missions E-books
A series of 21 e-books from the Missions of California series. May be downloaded or read online.
Colonial America Reference Library
The Colonial America Reference Library provides students with the comprehensive information on the Colonial American period they need to write reports and class assignments including biographical profiles and primary source documents.
CultureGrams: World Edition, Kids Edition, States Edition.
Experience the cultures of more than 200 countries in reports that include maps, statistics, a glossary, and in-depth information on 25 categories. A Recipe Collection is also included. Tour the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in fun reports filled with facts, symbols, time lines, and more. Kids: Get an engaging kid's-eye view of 82 countries, featuring cultural and geographical information, history, maps, flags, and colorful images.
Daily Life Online: History, Culture, Folklore
Daily Life features resources on subjects including: art, food and drink, clothing, lifestyles, religion and belief, holidays, languages, worldview, crafts, festivals, music, dance, tales, myths, urban legends, proverbs, folk remedies, stories, domestic life, economic life, intellectual life, material life, political life, recreational life, and religious life.
Dictionary of American Family Names
The Dictionary of American Family Names contains more than 70,000 of the most commonly occurring surnames in the United States, giving their comparative frequencies, linguistic and historical explanations, selected associated forenames, and occasional genealogical notes.
Dictionary of American History
The first comprehensive revision of this classic reference source, originally published in 1940, features updated and revised entries from previous editions, as well as more than 800 new entries covering recent events and topics not covered previously. This authoritative work serves students, scholars, and general readers interested in a wide range of topics in American history, from the well studied and familiar to the obscure.
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion
This broad-based set surveys clothing, body adornment, and examines the origins of clothing, the development of fabrics and technologies, and the social meanings of dress. It also presents information on representative costumes from a wide variety of historical eras, which are frequently the topic of student research. Topics range from the bustle, sari, and toga to Polyester and body piercing.
Encyclopedia of Sociology
Winner of the 1993 Dartmouth Medal, this classic reference has been updated to reflect the many changes in society and in the field of sociology in recent years. Articles covering core issues such as race, poverty, violence, economics, pregnancy and abortion have been updated and expanded, and completely new articles have been written on topics such as the Internet, privacy, and epidemiology.
Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment
Covering the “long” Enlightenment, from the rise of Descartes' disciples in 1670 to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1815, these 700 articles by leading scholars range from discussions of mercantilism and democracy to the battlefield to the dissemination of ideas in salons and coffeehouses.
Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages
A collaborative work of over 600 scholars from more than forty countries, the Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages provides 3,000 concise and detailed articles on all aspects of the period from the fifth to the fifteenth century. It explores art, architecture, religion, law, science, language, philosophy, and theology, as well as cultural, religious, intellectual, social and political history.
Great Depression and the New Deal Reference Library
Covering both the disastrous failure of the economy and its gradual recovery, U*X*L's Great Depression and New Deal Reference Library examines the causes of the depression; the impact of unemployment and under-employment; the disorder in Germany after World War I that led to the rise of Adolf Hitler; and many other dimensions of this global calamity. Special attention is paid to the New Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt's domestic reform program.
Grove Encyclopedia of Classical Art and Architecture
A comprehensive reference resource for the visual arts of the Classical period. It features an abundance of in-depth articles on this field of enduring importance—from biographies to thematic entries on architecture, ceramics, metalwork, mosaics, painting and sculpture. The resource provides fascinating and authoritative art historical and cultural information about art forms, artists, rulers, philosophers, architecture, renowned works of art, archaeological sites and stylistic developments.
Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts
Contains over 3,000 entries covering thousands of years of decorative arts production throughout western and non-western cultures. Explore the works of Alvar Aalto and Charles and Ray Eames, or learn about the history of Navajo blankets and wing chairs in thousands of entries on artists, craftsmen, designers, workshops, and decorative art forms.
History Reference Center
History Reference Center is history reference database that features full text for more than 2,500 reference books, encyclopedias and non-fiction books. The database also includes full text for nearly 170 history periodicals. Further, the database contains more than 112,000 historical documents; more than 113,000 biographies of historical figures; more than 112,000 historical photos and maps; and more than 80 hours of historical video.
History Resource Center US
provides integrated access to over 4,000 historical (primary) documents, articles from more than 30 reference titles, and over 110 full-text journal covering themes, events, individuals and periods in U.S. history from pre-Colonial times to the present. The material also includes citations from over 180 additional history journals from the Institute for Scientific Information's Arts and Humanities Citation Index, as well as the entire "American Journey Online" series.
History Resource Center World
a comprehensive collection of award-winning reference, full-text articles from leading scholarly publications, an array of primary sources, and images, maps and charts which provide expansive geographic and chronlogic research materials for the study of world history. From ancient Europe to Latin America and from the Far East to the Renaissance, world history curricula is supported with over 1,800 primary sources, over 27 reference titles and more than 110 journals.
Industrial Revolution Reference Library
The Industrial Revolution transformed much of the world from simple agricultural society into a complex industrial society. This reference covers the ideas and social turmoil that marked this transition as well as the machines, manufacturing processes and energy sources that spurred it on. The set includes an almanac, biographical profiles and a collection of primary source documents.
Korean War Reference Library
Explores major topics and events related to the Korean War. The Almanac and Primary Sources covers the background of and issues related to the conflict as well as provides 12 full or excerpted primary sources from the period. Biographies includes 25 biographical entries on major figures from the war.
Mexican American War Reference Library
Provides information on the issues surrounding the Mexican-American War, from the causes of the war to its ending, and the motivations of various people involved in the conflict. Placed throughout the text are excerpts from primary source documents such as diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles, as well as other sidebar boxes.
Middle Ages Reference Library
Middle Ages Reference Library explores the complex period of the Middle Ages, covering the different civilizations and peoples of Medieval times. It also includes biographical essays on significant individuals from the period and an insightful collection of full or excerpted texts from the era.
New York Times (1850-2005)
A unique full-image archive that brings you the entire historical run of The New York Times since 1850. It offers complete coverage from 1850-2005, delivering every page of every issue from cover to cover, with full-page and article images in downloadable PDF.
Oxford Companion to World Exploration
From Antarctica to the North Pole, The Oxford Companion to World Exploration offers information on all topics of exploration worldwide, including advances in navigation, the discovery of the New World, polar expeditions, and the space age.
Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium
With more than 5,000 entries by an international group of eminent historians, this is the standard research tool on 1,100 years of Byzantine history. Exhaustive in its coverage, entries on patriarchy and emperors coexist with entries on surgery, musical instruments, and the baking of bread, bringing to life this vastly important culture and empire, from the 4th century to the 15th.
The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance
This dictionary provides rich detail on all aspects of the Renaissance in 14th to 17th century Europe. It includes comprehensive coverage of the art, literature, science, culture, philosophy, religion, economics, history, and conflict of the period.
Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt
Featuring 600 original articles written by leading scholars, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt goes far beyond the records of archaeology to make available what we know about the full social, political, religious, cultural and artistic legacy of this 5,000-year civilization.
Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History
International in scope and spanning all time periods of human history, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History includes 900 original articles by noted scholars from more than thirty-five countries. Articles range from 500-word entries on inventors, theoreticians, and industry leaders to overarching, 8,000-word essays on markets, industries, and labor. With coverage ranging from accounting and advertising to zoning and zoos, this landmark works stands at the busy intersection of history and the social sciences.
Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America
In 700 original, intriguing articles—from “Apple Pie” to “Zombie”— The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America covers the significant events, inventions, and social movements in American history that have affected the way Americans view, prepare, and consume food and drink.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History
This encyclopedia covers the entire history of seafaring, from ancient Egyptian shipbuilders to the nuclear submarines and supertankers of today. Over nine hundred articles written by leading historians examine all aspects of maritime history, including naval history, shipbuilding, biographies of major figures, navigation and scientific instrumentation, maritime art and literature, commerce and economics, and international law.
Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures
A comprehensive reference source that chronicles Pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern Mesoamerica, defined as the lands stretching from Mexico to the southern tip of Central America. With more than 600 articles, it is invaluable for those interested in the rich heritage of this land.
Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation
The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation is the definitive source for information about the entire range of religious and social changes that altered the face of Europe in the sixteenth century, encompassing not only issues of church polity and theology but also developments in politics, economics, demographics, art and literature.
Points of View
Points of View is a full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of a current issue. The database provides 255 topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument), counterpoint (opposing argument), and Critical Thinking Guide. Points of View contains a balance of materials from all viewpoints, including 1,143 main essays, leading political magazines from both sides of the aisle, newspapers, radio and TV news transcripts, primary source documents and reference books. The database also offers guides to debate, developing arguments and writing position papers. Additionally, this database contains the Video Encyclopedia of the 20th Century, providing students with a searchable collection of some of the most important social, political, and cultural moments. Critical Thinking Guides for every topic covered helps the student judge Fact vs. Opinion and enhances the student's ability to read and think critically.
Psychologists and Their Theories For Students
Helpful for research assignments in psychology, science and history, this source covers major psychological theories and the people who developed them.
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Psychology & Behavioral Sciences is a collection of 570 full-text journals and 48 books & monographs. Particularly strong in child & adolescent psychology and various areas of counseling, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection includes journals such as: Adolescent Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Child Development, Child Psychiatry & Human Development, Clinical Child & Family Psychology Review, European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, Journal of Child Psychotherapy, Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, Journal of Clinical Psychology, Professional School Counseling, Psychology in the Schools, Psychological Science, School Psychology Review, and many others. School counselors and psychologists find Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection to be a vital instrument in helping them achieve their goals.
Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library
Covering everything from Luther's Revolt to the writings of Shakespeare, this set provides comprehensive coverage of this amazing time. Includes extensive background information on the period, approximately 50 biographies of people of the era, and includes full or excerpted speeches, diary entries, newspaper and magazine articles, poems, and documents.
San Jose Mercury News (Current and Historical)
Search this local daily newspaper for full text articles. Find articles from 1985 to current or 1886-1922. Newspaper issues provide unique coverage of local and regional news, including companies, politics, sports, industries, cultural activities, and people in the community.
U*X*L American Decades
Covers 20th-century events and social history beginning in 1900 and ending in 1999. Each decade is covered in a single comprehensive volume. Chapters begin with a chronology of world events and a general overview of the decade. Within each topic, alphabetically arranged entries discuss historically important events, issues, definitions of difficult concepts or terms, and other interesting trivia and sideline stories.
Vietnam War Reference Library
The Almanac traces the progression of this controversial war from its beginnings in 1941 through its last days in 1975. Biographies contains comprehensive biographical essays on the people involved in the war. Primary Sources provides a variety of perspectives on the war through excerpted screenplays, literature, speeches, and hearing testimonies.
WW I Reference Library
Presents comprehensive coverage of the World War I period. The Almanac contains 15 chapters covering major topics related to the period, including the root causes of the war and U.S. involvement. Biographies profiles the major players of the period, including Woodrow Wilson, Kaiser Wilhelm II and many others. Primary Sources presents full or excerpted primary source materials, including diaries, letters, speeches, journals, and memoirs related to the period.
WWII Reference Library
Covers significant events, topics, and people related to the World War II period. Provides the in-depth information that students need to write reports and class assignments, including biographical profiles and primary source materials.
War of 1812
Presents information on the issues surrounding the War of 1812, from the causes of the war to its ending, and the motivations of various people involved in the conflict. Placed throughout the text are excerpts from primary source documents such as diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles, as well as other sidebar boxes. The volume contains 50 photographs and maps, timeline, glossary, research and activity ideas, lists of sources for further study, and a subject index.
Westward Expansion Reference Library
Documents the chronological events that created a romantic national mythology around the pioneers who blazed trails through the wilderness. Features biographical essays on many colorful characters of the old West, and includes full text or excerpts from diaries, books, letters, and many other primary source documents.
Witchcraft in America
This fascinating and informative source covers the history of witchcraft in the United States from the hysteria that facilitated the witch hunts during the Colonial Period to modern day followers of Wicca. Chapters include full text or excerpts from trial transcripts, diary entries, public notices, and many other primary sources. Biographical essays highlight prominent figures related to the Salem witch trials.


Websites Selected by Librarians
Intute: Social Sciences
A portal to selected websites in the social sciences.
Social Sciences Virtual Library
A portal to selected websites in the social sciences.
Best of History Web Sites
Links to hundreds of quality world "history-related" web sites.
Digital History
An interactive, multimedia site for students and teachers on American
history -- fun and educational.
American Memory
A collection of primary source materials related to American culture and history. This is an on-going project of the Library of Congress.
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Ready access to historic and current public records -- laws, regulations, Presidential and Congressional documents, Presidential Libraries, executive orders, and much more.
American Cultural History: The Twentieth Century
Organized by decade from 1900-1999, this site presents information, suggested print sources and Internet resources on American culture and history.
American Rhetoric
Search the online speech bank for over 5,000 full-text, audio, and video streaming versions of American public addresses.
H-California A listing of sites on California history.
Santa Clara County Library Local History
Information to local history collection at Santa Clara County Library as well as links to selected online resources.
Karen's Reference Notebook - Local History
An annotated listing of Internet resources on the history of Santa Clara County and the Bay Area. Selected by a local librarian.