Research & Resources

eResources

The Library subscribes to a number of Databases and has curated a collection of useful websites (eResources) that contain information across a wide variety of topics including genealogy, entrepreneurship, local history, consumer products, and language learning. You can find them here or browse our guides for Resources by Topic.

Displaying 1 - 100 of 118.

ACCESS Wisconsin

Find out if you are eligible to receive help through Wisconsin's health and nutrition programs. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

ACLU Immigrants' Rights

Know Your Rights
Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Learn more here about your rights as an immigrant, and how to express them. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Dane County provides information about resources and support on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center Directory - Addictions.com

Find Madison detox, inpatient, and outpatient rehab centers. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) Doctor Certification

Find out if your doctor is Board Certified | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

American Community Survey

Census and demographic information from the US Census Bereau. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Better Business Bureau

See also The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin 10019 W. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53214, (414) 847-6000, Public Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Career Builder

Find jobs, upload/build your resume, and get information on career development and learning. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Census Business Builder (CBB)

Determine the best location for your business using Census data. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Federal agency for medicare and medicaid information and statistics. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Centro Hispano - Immigration Services

Centro Hispano logo
Centro Hispano offers immigration services including consultations, naturalization, permanent residence, DACA, and family assistance. Visit the web site for times and to make an appointment. This service has a minimum cost. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Charity Navigator

Analysis and ratings of charities and nonprofit organizations. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Citizenship Multilingual Resources

Resources in multiple languages to help you prepare for the U.S. Citizenship exam | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

City of Madison Clerk

Information about where to vote in the City of Madison, absentee voting procedures and forms, and poll location hours. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

City of Madison Government Resource Guide

From the City of Madison Common Council. Includes links to City informational documents, committees, commissions, departments, and more. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

City of Madison Jobs

Find a career with the City of Madison | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

City of Madison Neighborhoods

Offers demographics, associations, plans, businesses, profiles, and maps. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

City of Madison Office of Business Resources

Provides services and assistance to businesses in the city. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

City of Madison Open Data

Catalog of open data sets and visual tools from the City of Madison. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups

The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) is the largest, most effective grassroots coalition of senior organizations in the country. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Community Immigration Law Center

Community Immigration Law Clinic (CILC) is a free immigration consultation clinic supported by Christ Presbyterian Church. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Consumer Search

Product reviews of electronics, appliances, and services | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Consumer.gov

Clearinghouse of consumer protection information. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Convergence Resource Center

CRC supports women and human trafficking survivors as they turn their lives around. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Covering Wisconsin

Covering Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that helps people in Wisconsin find and use health insurance. Their Health Insurance Navigators provide free help any time. Contact a Navigator by calling 608-261-1455 or schedule online. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Dane County Job Center

The Dane County Job Center is a central location for people looking for work and businesses that need help finding qualified applicants. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

data.census.gov (formerly American FactFinder)

Access all data and digital content (e.g., demographic and economic data) from the U.S. Census Bureau. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Data.gov

Data, tools, and resources for research, web and mobile applications, and data visualizations. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Dementia Crisis Program (Dane County)

The goal of the Dementia Crisis Program is to reduce the likelihood that persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive deficits who experience a behavioral crisis will need to leave their home of choice. To learn more about the Dane County Dementia Program, please contact call the APS Helpline at 608-261-9933. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world. It strives to contain the full breadth of human expression, from the written word, to works of art and culture, to records of America’s heritage, to the efforts and data of science. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

DigitalLearn

Free short computer lessons for beginners. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Ex-Offender Toolkit

This Job Center resource includes the articles Criminal Records and Getting Back into the Work Force and Criminal Background Tips. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Family Search

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides FamilySearch free of charge to everyone, regardless of tradition, culture, or religious affiliation. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Federal Tax Forms

The official source of IRS tax forms and publications. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

FindLaw - Find a Lawyer

An award-winning site for legal information. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Food Business Development at UW Extension

The UW-Madison Extension's Community Food Systems Program focuses on supporting food entrepreneurs. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Forest Hills Cemetery Burial Records search

In 1857, the City of Madison purchased a tract of land with a lovely view overlooking the entire city and the surrounding lakes. Even today, this tree-lined cemetery, located on Speedway Road, retains an original park-like atmosphere with winding roads and flowerbeds. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Free Legal Answers - American Bar Association

ABA Free Legal Answers
You can use the website to ask 3 different legal questions per year. If you qualify, a lawyer will give you legal help on your specific legal questions. They will be your lawyer for this limited purpose and will not do anything for you other than provide this help. When they are finished answering your question, the lawyer will no longer be your lawyer. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Genealogy Tools from WHS

Includes records of births and deaths in Wisconsin prior to 1907, information about cemetery records , Wisconsin Name Index , a Civil War roster, and much more. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

GetHuman.com

Get customer service phone numbers for popular businesses. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Grants Information Collection

at UW-Madison's Memorial Library. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

GuideStar

Information on programs and finances of more than 850,000 charities and nonprofits. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Historic Madison Photos Circa 1890

The Library of Congress has an online exhibit called American Memory. It includes photos from the Detroit Publishing Co. collection. You can search the collection by keyword. Type "Madison and Wisconsin" and see what you get. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Ho-Chunk History - Wisconsin Public Television

By the banks of the Lemonweir River in what for ages had been Ho-Chunk territory, Andy Thundercloud shares the oral tradition of his people. Part of WPT's Tribal Histories series. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County

Homebuyers Round Table logo
The Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County provides education, counseling and support that guide you through the steps and put you on a pathway to home ownership. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Homeless/Transitional Housing: Porchlight Madison

Porchlight strives to decrease the Dane County homeless population by providing shelter, housing, supportive services, and a sense of community in ways that empower residents and program participants to positively shape their lives. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Homeless/Transitional Housing: YWCA Madison

YWCA Madison has designed several services that help women and their families find their place in the world. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music

Free public domain sheet music. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Indigenous Law Portal

The Indigenous Law Portal is a valuable resource for researching indigenous law throughout the world. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Jewish Social Services: Family Support and Refugee Resettlement

Jewish Social Services provides family support, senior services, and assistance to refugees and their families through a variety of services and resources. They specialize in serving Jewish and immigrant communities but offer assistance to all Dane County residents. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Job Center of Wisconsin

Look for jobs, fill out applications, write resumes, and more. Great starting site. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Job Seeker

View a collection of job listing websites, job help services, and online tools to build skills and find Wisconsin jobs. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Journey Mental Health Center

Journey provides care for those experiencing addictions, mental illness, and mental health crises. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Khan Academy

A dashboard that enables learners to study subjects such as math, science, art, history, economics, computer programming, and more, outside of the classroom, and at their own pace. Academy partners include NASA, the Museum of Modern Art, the California Academy of Sciences, and MIT. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Legal Action of Wisconsin

Legal Action of Wisconsin provides free legal services to low-income people, in areas including Family Law, Housing Law, Reentry, and more | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Literacy Network

Literacy Network teaches reading, writing, communication, computer skills, and civics to Dane County adults. They offer English for Citizenship Classes for legal permanent residents. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Bicycle Information

From the City of Madison. Links to bicycle maps, B-cycle, biking tips, programs, events, and more. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Cooperative Development Coalition

The Madison Cooperative Development Coalition (MCDC) is the City of Madison-funded initiative to form worker cooperatives that address income inequality and racial disparities by creating living-wage union jobs. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Jobs (jobsinmadison.com)

Search job openings in the Madison area | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Living History

The Madison Living History Project is a place to share stories and images related to Madison’s history. These are snapshots of Madison neighborhoods, places, people, and events conveyed through conversations with and stories from community members. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Metro

From Metro Transit, Madison's public transit system. Includes routes, schedules, fare information, detours, and more. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Metropolitan School District Human Resources

The Department of Human Resources serves the District and the community by establishing, developing, recognizing and maintaining a quality work force for the education of our students. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison Senior Center

Madison Senior Center involves older adults in their community and the Senior Center, as leaders, teachers and learners; provides a balance, diverse and coordinated program; and promotes the Senior Center as a model for the aging and aged. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison.com

Madison news and events. Includes Cap Times and Wisconsin State Journal. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison.com's Book of Business (2023)

Find services, suppliers, and information about local business and demographics. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison365

Madison365 logo
Madison365 aims to represent Greater Madison’s communities of color, and to foster dialog between members of diverse communities. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Madison's Neighborhoods

Neighborhood associations, plans, businesses, profiles, and maps. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Manual del Conductor en Español (Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook) - DMV

El Manual del Conductor proporciona información sobre las normas y prácticas de conducir que le permitirán convertirse en un conductor seguro de automóvil o camioneta (licencia clase D). | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Martindale Lawyer Locator

Find information about a lawyer or a firm. For Wisconsin lawyers, see also State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Search Engine. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

MPL Gov Info

Long-running blog of published federal, local and state government publications. No longer updated. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Municipal Records, Office of the Secretary of State of Wisconsin

Search the digital archives of municipal records by counties and cities housed at the Secretary of State of Wisconsin. Some records go back to the mid-1800s. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

MyVote Wisconsin

MyVote provides Wisconsin voters with registration, sample ballot, municipal clerk and polling place information. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

NAICS search

Find the North American Industry Code for industry-level data. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Neighborhood Business Associations

Links to and a map of neighborhood business associations. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Neighborhood House Community Center

Neighborhood House offers a plethora of programs and services including: food pantry, laundry, youth & teen summer camps, after-school programs, mentoring, meeting spaces, wellness and enrichment classes for adults, social programming for adults with disabilities, technology lab, transportation assistance, community meals, neighborhood events, and much more! | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Origins of Some Madison, Wisconsin Street Names

Origins of Some Madison, Wisconsin Street Names | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Patent and Trademark Library UW (+research guide)

Steenbock Library is a designated Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC). Patent librarians provide patent and trademark information and searching assistance for the general public and the UW-Madison community. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

People's Stories of South Madison

David Giffey's collection of stories from the residents of the South Madison neighborhood. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Recovery.com

Find trustworthy treatment options for mental health and addiction. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

SBDC National Information Clearinghouse

Free entrepreneurship learning from the Small Business Development Center. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

SCORE Madison

Provides classes and counseling for new and existing small businesses. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

SEC.gov Search (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)

A variety of tools you can use to search information collected by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Services for Older Adults (from WI DHS)

From this page you can access a variety of information on programs and services in Wisconsin for older people and caregivers. A brief description of each service is available. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Small Business Administration

Resources for starting, financing, and managing a small business. Try the Small Business Administration's Learning Center for self-paced free online business and entrepreneurship topics. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Small Business Development Center @ UW

at UW-Madison offers resources, paid classes, and the free Business Answer Line. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Search

Talk to a legal assistant who's experienced in analyzing potential legal problems. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

State of Wisconsin Jobs

The official State of Wisconsin governement job site. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Statista

Statistics and infographics from thousands of sources (free basic version). | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

TechBoomers

Tutorials for using popular websites and apps, written for computer beginners and older adults. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Tenant Resource Center

Find information for tenants and landlords regarding rental rights and responsibilities; state and local rental laws; mediation services; and general housing issues. Housing counseling and information for landlords and tenants in the Madison area. See also the full text of Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities, City of Madison Ordinance 32.06(2)` | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

ThomasNet

Directory of manufacturers. A librarian can provide a login for use in the library. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

United Way of Dane County

Contacts for financial help to purchase insurance coverage through United Way’s HealthConnect program and the free, confidential community resources provided by 2-1-1. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

University of Wisconsin Digital Collections

Links to online exhibits, many featuring aspects of Wisconsin history including a full collection of Wisconsin Blue Books, as well as materials from all University of Wisconsin campuses and many Wisconsin public libraries. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Urban League of Greater Madison Employment Services

Free job training, career counseling, and job placement services in Madison. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Urban Triage

Urban Triage, Inc. is on a mission to empower Black families while mobilizing community resources and distributing them to those most in need. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

USAgov (formally Federal Citizen Information Center)

Formerly the Federal Citizen Information Center, a tool to more easily find government information including passports, tax forms, small business help, etc. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Vital Records Services

Information on obtaining copies of vital records, searching records in person, and other services. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Whitepages

Find people, contact info, & background checks. | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Wisconsin Blue Book

The State of Wisconsin Blue Book remains the primary one-volume reference source about the state, documenting the organization of the state’s three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial). | more info »
This resource is available to all library users.

Pages

You might be interested in one of our subject guides that matches your search criteria:

Books and Literature

Tools for readers and educators

Business

Research tools, community resources, and more for your business

Consumer Info

Information about products, businesses, and consumer protection

Digital Inclusion Resources in Dane County

Resources related to digital inclusion curated for Madison and Dane County residents. Includes information about broadband, WiFi, and device access, as well as digital literacy, workforce skills, and older adult computer training.

Genealogy

Find info about your heritage with genealogy resources available at Madison Public Library

Government

Information about local and federal government, voting, and more

Health & Medicine

Community health organizations and reputable resources for health and medical information

Help for Hard Times

Links to community resources related to food, health, housing assistance, and shelter

History

Find out about library initiatives and resources for exploring Madison's history

Jobs & Careers

Library services and online resources for job seekers

Languages

Resources for language learning

Legal Information

Information on finding a lawyer, immigrant rights, legal forms, and more

Live Well @ Your Library

Stay informed through our free resources and reach your wellness goals through our workshops by the community, for the community

Madison Area Resources

Find out about Madison's neighborhoods, community organizations, local history, and more

Newspapers

Resources for accessing newspapers and newspaper articles, including obituaries and historical archives

Racial Equity Resources

List of resources to promote racial equity and social justice in Madison

Seniors

Find out about library services and other community resources for older adults

Telephone Numbers & Addresses

Find publicly-available contact information for businesses or individuals

Work for Madison Public Library

Job descriptions and requirements for working at Madison Public Library

Questions?

For help using any of the databases, contact your local library or email reference@madisonpubliclibrary.org.

For other questions about the databases the library subscribes to, contact:

Collection Development Librarian
608-266-6310
collection@madisonpubliclibrary.org

Contact

Have a question? Contact Madison Public Library's Reference Department by phone at 608-266-6300 or by email.