Huntington Public Library -- Research & Reference Services

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. - Mark Twain

He is wise who knows the sources of knowledge -- where it is written and where it is to be found. - A.A. Hodge

Overview of Our Research and Reference Services

Our Reference Librarians work for YOU! As professionals with a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, we can help you navigate and make sense of the vast amount of information available electronically and in print. Whether you are a student preparing a research paper, a small business owner seeking marketing data, a consumer researching products, or a senior reviewing financial information, our Reference Librarians are glad to assist!

There are several ways to contact a Reference Librarian:

Personally stop by the Reference Desk
Ask a librarian a question via our Ask-a-Librarian Web form
Call us on the telephone
Contact us through e-mail
Chat with a librarian after hours through the Live Librarian Service

We continually develop our extensive information and entertainment collections to support your various needs. Please avail yourself of these sources and services and always feel free to ask for assistance:

Online "Card" Catalog (Our publicly searchable web-enabled computer system that stores the
bibliographic records for all of the library's materials)
Ready Reference (Provides quick answers to factual questions, using standard sources such as
dictionaries, almanacs and directories)
Databases provided by the Huntington Public Library
Internet Subject Guide

Family History Library Catalog Search the catalog of materials (including microfilm, microfiche, and publications) found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Many items can be loaned to local Family History Centers around the world. SCLS has been designated a Family History Center Affiliate Library. This designation entitles your patrons to request most microfilm and microfiche listed in the Family History Library Catalog. A Microfilm and Microfiche Order Form is available subject to certain fees as follows:

Microfilm loan charges are $6.00 per reel. The loan time is 60 days which includes shipping time to and from the Family History Library. This assumes 15 days shipping time each way, so the patron will have about 30 days to view the microfilm. There is a $6.00 charge for renewal of the microfilm for an additional 30 days. Microfiche are available for loan at the rate of $1.00 per fiche card. The patron may use the fiche for 60 days.

Databases provided by SuffolkWeb's Virtual Reference Collection (also known as the "VRC," and now "Suffolk e-Resources")

These Databases are available to ALL patrons of a member library within the Suffolk County Library System. The only prerequisite is that the patron have an active account in good standing. Patrons must use the following link:

The VRC is now "Suffolk e-Resources"

Databases provided by the Huntington Public Library

The Library subscribes to these additional databases, which are are available at our Main and Branch facilities:

Alt-HealthWatch - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Provides full text articles focusing on alternative, homeopathic and complementary healthcare.
College Source - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Profiles College Catalogs in full cover-to-cover, original page format with 2-year, 4-year, graduate, professional and international schools.
Community Resource Database of Long Island
Profiles of more than 11,000 community services and resources available in the Long Island area.
CultureGrams - (Access outside the Library via your barcode and pin)
Provides information about the cultures of more than 200 countries and the 50 United States in fun reports that include maps, statistics, indepth information, fun facts and more.
ePrep - (Access outside the Library via your barcode and pin)
Online Video-based Test Preparation Courses for the SAT ACT and PSAT.
Grzimek's Animal Life - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Grzimek's Animal Life is an image-rich, dynamic online resource that creates a true educational experience where a quick trip to find specific information can lead to the desire to explore and learn more.
Home Improvement Reference Center - (Access outside the Library via your barcode) Online tool for home improvement assistance, including: maintenance, remodeling, electrical work, plumbing, wood projects, outdoor improvements, decorating home & garden, etc.
Learning Express - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Test preparation materials and interactive practice exams, based on official tests, that will help improve scores on academic, civil service, military, and professional licensing and certification exams.
LexisNexis Library Express - (Access outside the Library via your barcode) Lexis Nexis is comprised of more than 9000 news, business, legal, and other sources. If you are looking for up-to-date industry reports, foreign news or US federal and state court coverage, this is the database you need. PLEASE NOTE: the legal resources component may be accessed only within the Main Library and Station Branch, there is no remote access for the legal resources component of LexisNexis.
Mango - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Learn Brazilian Portuguese, English, German, Greek, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish with this revolutionary language learning program.
Morningstar Investment Research Center - (Access outside the Library via your barcode) Comprehensive data and analysis of more than 11,000 companies and 24,000 mutual funds. Features unbiased Morningstar guidance, such as the popular Star Rating. Users can screen for stocks, funds, and EFT's, and learn about retirement savings, college planning, and more.
Novels for Students - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Each volume provides discussions of the literary and historical background of 15 to 20 novels from various cultures and time periods. Includes concise synopses of plot, characters and themes, a brief author biography, discussion of the story's cultural and historical significance, and excerpted criticism.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center - (Access outside the library via your barcode) A virtual library of resources to aid students in the study of today's hottest social issues.
Reference USA - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Contains detailed information on US and Canadian Businesses, US and Canadian Households, plus US Physicians and Dentists.
Salem Health - (Access outside the Library via your barcode)
Up-to-date, authoritative medical information, including conditions, diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialities, anatomy, and other issues.
TellMeMore - This database focuses on all major areas of language learning (speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing) and teaches pronunciation with their advanced voice recognition and speech analysis tools. There are up to 10 levels and over two thousand hours of content per language program. It features thirty-seven different types of activities to keep learners engaged and actively learning.
World Book Encyclopedia Online Reference Center - (Access outside the Library via your barcode) Includes the complete World Book Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Atlas, Web Links, Magazines, Historical Documents and more.

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Last Update July 30, 2010