The WRDSB Virtual Library provides access to eBooks, databases, and online encyclopedias.
Visit the Virtual Library (log in with your WRDSB email address and PAL login if searching from home). Look under the Virtual Library – Secondary tab and select the resource that will help you best. Below are descriptions of each resource to help you choose.
eBooks
The Sora digital library from the parent company, OverDrive has thousands of fiction and non-fiction eBooks (and some audiobooks) for all ages to read on any device (computer, phone, tablet). Log in with your PAL and start reading! If you need help, please see the “How To” Guide.
Infobase eBooks hosts a collection of eBooks with a wide range of curriculum-oriented subject areas (history, science, literature, geography, and more).
Capstone Interactive Library is a collection of interactive eBooks, each with audio and read-along options.
Databases
EBSCO Search for secondary schools provides content on a wide variety a subjects. The search provides results from the following databases:
- Advanced Placement Source
- Book Collection: Nonfiction
- Canadian Literary Centre
- Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
- GreenFILE
- Health Source – Consumer Edition
- History Reference Center
- Literary Reference Center Plus
- MAS Ultra
- Middle Search Plus
- Newspaper Source
- Science Reference Center
EBSCOhost Secondary provides direct links to some of the most popular EBSCO databases including:
- Advanced Placement Source
- Book Collection: Nonfiction
- Canadian Reference Centre
- Health Source – Consumer Edition
- History Reference Center
- Literary Reference Center Plus
- Middle Search Plus
[contains full text for more than 170 popular middle school magazines as well as more than 103,000 biographies and historical essays] - MAS Ultra
- Newspaper Source
- Science Reference Center
Gale Online Resources searches Gale databases by entering search terms in the PowerSearch bar. Or, select a subject from the left-hand column and choose a specific database to search.
Canadian Point of View Reference Centre Canadian Points of View Reference Centre contains more than 180 topics, each with an overview, point, and counterpoint.
OurOntario provides information about Ontario life, culture, history, and more in the form of photographs, documents, maps, videos, sound recordings, government documents, and books.
Teen Health & Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers to research health related issues such as Body Basics, Family Life, Sexuality & Sexual Health, and much more.
Encyclopedias
Britannica Middle is designed for middle school students. This database retrieves encyclopedia articles, web sites, videos, and articles from magazines. Features include a world atlas, subject browse, biography browse, and research tips.
Britannica High School is designed for high school students. Get quick facts and in depth information on a wide variety of subjects, and find multimedia to use in projects and presentations.
The Canadian Encyclopedia includes articles, interactive timelines, images, maps, games, & more. It covers subjects including history, popular culture, events, politics, First Nations, sports and science.
L’Encyclopédie Canadienne comprend des articles, des images, des cartes, des jeux, et plus. Il couvre des sujets tels que l’histoire, la culture populaire, les événements, la politique, les Premières Nations, les sports et la science.
eVideos
Learn360 is a web-based digital video library comprised of thousands of K-12 core-curriculum videos, video clips, newsreels, audio and video speeches, still images, and audio files. Criterion films are located at the bottom of the menu.
CBC Curio gives teachers and students streaming access to the best in educational video and audio from CBC and Radio-Canada. You’ll find documentaries from television and radio, news reports and more.
The NFB has a wide variety of videos teachers can use with their students. This is an excellent resource for Canadian content.
