Academic, Literary & Cultural Research
Browse the library’s collection of online research and reference databases.
Academic and Literary
GALE databases allow you to conduct research in biography, world history, religion, economics and other academic fields, as well as gardening, culinary arts, careers and more.
Salem Press offers a virtual reference shelf covering topics in literature, history, science, health and careers. This database includes the Magill's Literary Annual (1977 - present), which provides online access to 38 years of past annuals, comprising more than 7,200 reviews and essays on three decades of the most important fiction and nonfiction. Snow Library card needed.
Shakespeare ePlays is presented by Lerner Digital and includes the full text of 20 plays online. Username: snowlib. Password: ebooks.
Critical Survey of Shakespeare's Plays contains a wide range of essays on the life and works of the most famous English playwright of all time. Snow Library card needed.
OXFORD REFERENCE, published by Oxford University Press, allows you to research topics in history, classical studies, mythology, literature and law. Snow Library offers access to the following Oxford databases:
A Dictionary of Creation Myths
A Dictionary of World Mythology
An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age
Oxford Companion to American Literature
Oxford Companion to Architecture
Oxford Companion to British History
Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization
Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales
Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States
Oxford Companion to World War II
Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages
Oxford Encyclopedia of American Social History
Oxford Reader's Companion to Conrad
Oxford Reader's Companion to Dickens
Oxford Reader's Companion to George Eliot
Oxford Handbook of Political Science
Oxford Handbook of Environmental History
Cultural
This database allows users to search the Massachusetts Historical Commission database for information on historic properties and areas in the Commonwealth.
(Username is your Snow Library card number; password is SnoLib)
Contains traditional cuisine cookbooks for all 50 states and the six U.S. regions as well as each of the 33 major U.S. ethnic groups. Browse and download articles on ingredients, instructional videos on how food is made, historic cookbooks dating back to the late 1700s, original TV food commercials dating back to the 1940s, historic menus, ads and more.
Snow Library card needed
A comprehensive database of information on the U.S., with the option to explore the country as a whole or research a specific state or territory. A to Z the USA provides in-depth access to a broad range of topics, including official state animals and plants, historical timelines, modern and antique downloadable maps, national symbols, state symbols, food and recipes, demographics, culture and society, geography learning resources, government and politics. All images and maps in A to Z the USA are hi-resolution and can easily be downloaded or printed for royalty free use.
(Select 'sign in' then 'library card log in'; enter your Snow Library card number)
A to Z Maps Online offers 145,000 maps, including acombination of proprietary maps and maps from other reputable sources to give you a “one-stop shop” for content that can be downloaded and used without any copyright restrictions. Notable categories include world maps, continent maps, country maps, state maps, antique maps, historical maps, outline maps, U.S. topographic maps, geography quiz game, geography lesson plans. A useful resource for students, teachers, genealogy researchers, hikers, hobbyists, and more.
(Use your Snow Library card barcode to access this database.)
This database is new to our collection of online resources. A to Z World Culture includes detailed data on 175 countries. Starting with a country snapshot and cultural overview, topics include: climate, food and recipes, history, language, maps, money and much more. A to Z World Culture also includes teaching tools and lesson plans for educators.
(Username is your Snow library card number; password is SnoLib)
The world's largest database of global food culture and recipes. With thousands of international recipes, hundreds of fascinating culture and ingredient articles, and essential culinary resources, A to Z World Food brings international cuisines to you, from Albanian byrek to Zimbabwean matemba.
AtoZ World Travel (Use your Snow Library card barcode to access this database.)
A to Z World Travel is a comprehensive travel resource containing 202 Travel Guides covering 75 topics for each of 202 world cities. Topics include travel essentials, security, neighborhoods, excursions, food and restaurants, culture, language, and more. AtoZ World Travel also contains 56 additional travel resources that will help new and seasoned travelers alike. With A to Z World Travel, you get the following features: 202 World City Travel Guides •Travel Essentials •Security Briefings •City Facts •Neighborhoods •Local Transportation •Activities •Attractions •Points of Interest •Excursions •Maps •Language
Earth: The Power of the Planet, Episode 1, Volcano Dr. Iain Stewart reveals the role natural forces have played in the creation of the planet Earth. Although they appear to be destructive, volcanoes have been crucial to the development of life on this planet. Iain's journey takes him to Ethiopia to discover lava lakes, to Iceland to scuba dive between continents, and to New Zealand to sample some hot springs.
Earth: The Power of the Planet, Episode 2, Atmosphere Dr. Iain Stewart travels into the stratosphere in a Cold War fighter, gets his eyebrows singed in Siberia and discovers why Argentina is one of the stormiest places on Earth. All to show why our atmosphere is unique and utterly crucial for life.