Science & Technology

Search thousands of academic journals at once on a broad range of disciplines.

Academic Search Complete Help, opens a new window

Explore and stay informed on local, national and international topics, people and events in areas such as business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues and more. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources from around the world to around the corner, including The San Mateo Daily Journal. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.

The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media, from the early 18^th century to today.

This online database is the go-to site for high school research. Fifty-three thousand schools throughout the country use Britannica School to build essential information literacy skills, differentiate instruction, and support STEM education.

This online database is the go-to site for K-12 research. Fifty-three thousand schools throughout the country use Britannica School to build essential information literacy skills, differentiate instruction, and support STEM education.

Coursera is back! Level up your career with access to 5000+ courses and certifications taught by industry experts from leading universities. Courses include in-demand skills and certifications like data science, machine learning & AI, management essentials, and much more. Simply click on the link above, fill in your name, email address, zip code, and library. You will then be prompted to enter your library barcode and PIN. Access all that Coursera has to offer for three weeks. After three weeks, users will be asked to sign up again. Requires 29041 library card.

Use EBSCOhost to select and search reference databases of your choice. This interface is recommended for advanced searchers. For students and general searchers, try one of the Explora databases below:

• General Research
• Elementary School Research
• Middle School Research
• High School Research

EBSCOhost Help, opens a new window

EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit working to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-cost Internet service and computers, and free digital literacy courses accessible to all unconnected Americans.

Students can explore topics ranging from climate change to automobile emissions. This resource will help you critically analyze important environmental topics that will affect people around the world. Discover more about topics and events such as Earth systems, global change, pollution, and populations. Gale in Context allows for easy selection of content appropriate for different grade levels.

This resource allows middle and high school students to learn complex science concepts with highly visual digital content that includes 3D models and a virtual laboratory experience for students.

Search multiple databases at once covering general interest topics, business resources, literary reference, news articles and more.

Databases searched:

• MasterFILE Premier (with Consumer Reports)
• Business Source Complete
• Newspaper Source Plus
• Biography Reference Center
• Topic Overviews Public Libraries
• Associated Press Videos

General Research Help, opens a new window

Live real-time homework assistance is available for California K-12 students by laptop, tablet or phone from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards. Assistance is available in English and Spanish for Language Arts and Mathematics.

Every day between 1:00 PM and 10:00 PM PST, assistance is available in core K-12 subjects in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Vietnamese
• Tagalog

Tutors can provide a virtual whiteboard, conduct live audio interactions with students and work with learners on a wide range of concepts. Students are expected to work through the content and learn from the feedback. Tutors do not provide answers — they provide guidance and help. All tutors have passed background checks and possess, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree.

Students can search multiple databases at once for full-text articles, images, videos, and more for high school research (grades 9-12).

Databases searched:

• MAS Complete
• Newspaper Source Plus
• History Reference Center
• Literary Reference Center Plus
• Science Reference Center
• TOPICsearch
• Biography Reference Center
• Topic Overviews 6-12
• Associated Press Videos

High School Research Help, opens a new window

 The experience and impact of Hispanic Americans as recorded by the news media, 1704 to today.

Lynda.com is now LinkedIn Learning! Read more about this upgrade on our blog.

A constantly growing library of more than 8,500 courses in streaming video format with 40-60 new courses added weekly. Subjects covered range from 3D + Animation, Audio, Business including Office and Google software, Design, Developer, Photography and Video, and Web and Social Media. Videos use screenshots, narration, live-action, smart boards, charts and graphics, audio, and include captioning. Courses are available for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced learning tracks. This year’s subscription to LinkedIn Learning is funded through the California State Library.

To use the mobile app:

1. Download the LinkedIn Learning app for iOS, opens a new window or Android, opens a new window.
2. Tap Sign in
3. Tap Sign in with your Library Card under the Continue button.
4. Enter smcl when prompted to Enter your Library ID and tap Continue.
5. Sign in with your 29041, 29731 or 29735 library card and PIN.

This resource is available thanks to funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

LinkedIn Learning Help, opens a new window

Search and browse full-text articles from magazines, reference books, and other primary source documents.

MasterFILE Premier Help, opens a new window

Engage elementary and middle school students with age-appropriate digital content on exciting subjects such as science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space.

72-hour complimentary, unlimited access pass to the full edition of The New York Times online and eligible apps without a subscription. Find all regular newspaper content, photography, and videos dating back from 1851 to the present. Personalize your access through email newsletters, mobile apps, and customizable news feeds and recommendations. Mandarin and Spanish versions are also available.

Getting Started
To get started, register for a free account either by being logged into smcl.org or from within a San Mateo County Libraries location using a library computer or using your own device on the library WiFi. Once registered, you will be able to enjoy your 72-hour access pass from anywhere by logging in with the same email and password entered during registration.

After your 72-hour pass expires, you may activate a new pass by visiting the pass activation page while once again being logged into smcl.org or from within a San Mateo County Libraries location using a library computer or using your own device on the library WiFi.

Search full-text articles from over 1,200 newspapers, newswires, and news magazines.

Newspaper Source Plus Help, opens a new window

Search current and archived issues of local newspapers for full-text news articles, editorials, events, people, government, sports and more. Search each paper individually or search all six local papers at the same time using the links below. Requires a 29041, 29731 or 29735 library card.

• San Francisco Chronicle, opens a new window – 1/1/1985-present (no obituaries included)
• San Mateo County Times, opens a new window – 9/15/2001-present
• San Mateo Daily Journal, opens a new window – 10/2/2000-present
• San Jose Mercury News, opens a new window – 6/1/1985-present
• Half Moon Bay Review, opens a new window – 8/15/1997-present
• Pacifica Tribune, opens a new window – 9/24/2003-present (no data 9/10/2009-6/6/2012)
• Search all six local papers at the same time., opens a new window

Newspapers – Local Help, opens a new window

O’Reilly for Public Libraries is an online learning resource designed to help you understand the latest technologies and business strategies. You get unlimited access to over 50,000 technology eBooks as well as video courses, case studies from top companies, learning paths, expert playlists, and more—with nearly 1,000 topics to explore in technology and business.

O'Reilly Help, opens a new window

Contains resources that present diverse perspectives on important issues and events.

EBSCO Points of View Reference Center Help, opens a new window

Designed to bring instant results to users across thousands of journals, magazines, newspapers, videos, reports, and other types of content. This multidisciplinary resource brings together some of ProQuest’s most used databases in education, humanities, psychology, science, social sciences, and news.

Central Student Help, opens a new window

Provides authoritative, full-text eBooks in a wide range of subject areas along with powerful tools to find, use, and manage the information. Subjects covered: Business & Economics; Computers & IT; Education; Engineering & Technology; History & Political Science; Humanities; Interdisciplinary & Area Studies; Language, Literature & Linguistics; Law, International Relations & Public Policy; Life Sciences; Medical; Nursing & Allied Health; Physical Sciences; Psychology & Social Work; Religion, Philosophy & Classics; Sociology & Anthropology.

eBook Central Help, opens a new window

A reference collection of periodical and digital media content designed to support middle and high school students, college-prep and college-level researchers, and professional educators.

eLibrary Help, opens a new window

ProQuest is used by researchers and librarians around the world. Through its partnerships, ProQuest has built a growing content collection that now encompasses 90,000 authoritative sources, six billion digital pages and spans six centuries.

A general reference database providing safe, reliable, curriculum-aligned content and features for use by students and educators in Primary and early Secondary schools.

SIRS Discoverer Help, opens a new window

Delivers the pros and cons on social issues with relevant, credible information. Analyses and opinions hand selected from thousands of national and international sources such as newspaper and magazine articles, videos, charts, maps, statistics, primary sources and government documents.

SIRS Issues Researcher Help, opens a new window

Students can access all of Redwood City Public Library's eResources using their Empower Card. Requires 29731 or 29735 library card.

Este base de datos de texto completo en español cubre temas dentro y fuera de la academia y ofrece contenido de una variedad de fuentes, incluidos libros de referencia, revistas de interés general e informes de salud.

Ayuada con Referencia Latina (en inglés), opens a new window

Designed specifically for junior and senior high schools, Science Reference Center is an excellent source of reliable information on life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, technology and more.

Science Reference Center Help, opens a new window

An online learning platform for San Mateo County Libraries cardholders who want to improve work-related skills or further develop a personal interest. Users can search through more than 4,000 continuously updated, on-demand video courses across 75 categories in business, technology, design, health, mindfulness, and more. Requires 29041, 29731 or 29735 library card.

To Use the App:

1. 1. Download the Udemy for Business app in the View available apps below.
   2. Open the app and enter gale.udemy.com as the organization account and click Next.
   3. Under Find Your Institution select Public Library and search for San Mateo County Library.
   4. Click San Mateo County Library and you’ll be taken to the screen where you can enter your library card number and click Sign In.
   5. You’ll be taken to the screen where you can sign in using a Google or Microsoft account.

Udemy Help, opens a new window

An engaging, interactive, gamified and trustworthy online learning experience for grades pre-K through high school. A suite of online research tools that includes encyclopedia articles, primary source collections, educator tools, student activities, educational games, pictures, audio, maps and video, complemented by children’s ebooks, current periodicals and related Web sites.

Perfect for school reports and research papers. There are different portals for different age ranges and includes Spanish resources for elementary school users.

World Book Online Help, opens a new window