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Online Resources on the Go

You don’t need to visit the library to find quality information, books, and magazines to read. The library service subscribes to a number of online services, bringing reliable information to you. Although we make every effort to ensure these links are accurate, up to date and relevant, Barking and Dagenham Council cannot take responsibility for pages maintained by external providers. If you come across any external links that don't work, we would be grateful if you could report them to us by emailing [email protected]

 

With an Internet connection, you can access these resources on your computer, laptop, tablet, and mobile phone or computers at our libraries! To access these FREE* online resources, you need to have your library card number and PIN. You will need an email address to access some of these services.

 

Please click on underlined text to go to the specific website where you can use your library credentials to log in and access the resources.

 

Access to Research

Access to Research

Access to Research has free access to millions of academic articles and published research. Get in-depth information on topics including art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences.

 

This resource is only available on computers in Barking and Dagenham Libraries and the Local Studies and Archives Centre.

 

Life in the UK Citizenship Test Preparation

Go Citizen is a free online study resource for candidates preparing for the Life in the UK Test. It includes an online version of the latest official study materials licensed from the Home Office (which publishes the handbook) plus hundreds of practice test questions in the same format as the official test. You can take the tests as many times as you like, and track your progress. 

 

The Computer School

The Computer School provides IT-based lessons and tutorials. All content is presented in an easy-to-follow, quick lesson format, with clear, precise, step-by-step instructions. It includes:

  • computer basics
  • staying safe online
  • technology basics
  • Microsoft
  • Apple
  • Android
  • social media and networking
  • Dreamweaver
  • and much more.

 

Learn My Way logo

Learn My Way - Free Online Courses on Digital Skills, Managing Money and Health

All Barking and Dagenham libraries are registered as UK online Centres. Learn My Way is a website of free online courses for beginners, helping people develop digital skills to make the most of the online world. Courses on managing your money online and improving health online and staying safe online are included.

 

Home

Digital Unite - Improve your Computer Skills

Whether you are an independent learner or a digital champion, this site has everything you need to improve your computer skills and boost your digital confidence.

 

Driving Theory Test

Theory Test Pro is a realistic online simulation of the UK’s driving theory test. Free to use, it is suitable for anyone learning to drive a car, motorbike, passenger vehicle, or heavy goods vehicle. All the material is licensed from DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), which sets the test.

It contains:

  • questions similar to those asked in the official test
  • hazard perception video clips 
  • an online version of the Highway Code
  • login to the driving theory test

 

Logo for The Libraries Consortium

eBooks and Audiobooks

Library members can download digital books, comics, graphic novels, and audiobooks for all ages for free and read them on a computer, tablet, or mobile. And can also be accessed via the Libby eBook App too.

 

Books can be taken out for either 7 or 14 days. At the end of the lending period, the books will automatically expire, so no overdue charges, but you will no longer be able to access them. However, you can download them again if you wish.

 

Use your library card number to log in to London Libraries Consortium collection. You will be asked to create an online account. You will need your library card number and a PIN number, available from any local library.

 

Encyclopaedia Britannica

One of the world’s best-known reference works, Britannica provides information on art, history, geography, science and many other subjects, supplemented by links to magazine articles and websites. It’s also a good source of related illustrations and video content.

 

Library members can access a choice of three age-specific sections:

 

Family History - Ancestry Library

Our libraries and the Archives and Local Studies Centre offer access to the Ancestry Library Edition, a great place to start for anyone researching their family history. This service is not available remotely, it can only be accessed in one of our libraries or at the Archives and Local Studies Centre.

 

It contains over 4 billion names in worldwide historical records, including national birth, marriage, and death indexes for England and Wales, and census records from 1841 to 1911.

 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training

The IELTS provides free online practice resources for its general training. It is for those who need to know English for secondary education, work experience or training courses. It focuses on basic language skills needed in social life and the workplace. The website includes tutorials, video advice, mock tests, and activities.

 

International English Langauge Testing System (IELTS) Academic Training

The IELTS provides free online practice resources for its academic training tests. It is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training.

 

Independence Issues Online

Issues Online - research into contemporary issues

Issues is a reference source made up of articles addressing contemporary social issues, such as rights and discrimination, drugs, crime, and the environment.

 

It’s very useful for school and college projects and general interest and there are links to statistics and official and other useful websites.

 

Oxford Art Online

Oxford Art Online is the gateway to Oxford’s art reference works. It includes more than 200,000 articles that span ancient to contemporary art and architecture, as well as over 15,000 images of works of art, structures, plans, and artist signatures. 

 

Use your library card number to log in to Oxford Art Online. If your library card starts with 28069 you will need to enter lbbd before entering your library card number.

 

Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary is the most comprehensive English dictionary in the world. It not only gives you the full meaning of a word but explains its origins and history.

 

Oxford Dictionaries

Oxford Dictionaries puts the following language information at your fingertips:

  • English
  • German
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Arabic
  • French
  • Russian
  • Portuguese

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography features thousands of detailed biographies of people either born in Britain or who made significant contributions to British history.

 

No one living is included, but its coverage is updated with additional biographies three times a year. You can find biographies by name, subject area and place.

 

Use your library card number to log in to Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. If your library card starts with 28069 you will need to enter lbbd before entering your library card number.

 

Oxford Music Online

Oxford Music Online is the authoritative resource for music research with over 57,000 articles written by more than 6,000 scholars charting the diverse history and cultures of music around the globe.

 

Use your library card number to log in to Oxford Music Online. If your library card starts with 28069 you will need to enter lbbd before entering your library card number.

 

Oxford Reference Online

Oxford Reference Online contains a vast collection of reference books covering everything from accountancy to zoology.

 

Use your library card number to log in to Oxford Reference Online. If your library card starts with 28069 you will need to enter lbbd before entering your library card number.

 

Reading Well Books on Prescription

Reading Well helps you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading.

 

The books are chosen by health experts and people living with the conditions covered. People can be recommended a title by a health professional, or they can visit their local library and take a book out for free.

Tense Buster logo

Tense Buster - English Language Practise

Tense Buster will help you to understand key areas of grammar in English. It’s suitable for anyone wishing to improve their understanding of English grammar and is also suitable for ESOL students at A2 level and above. There is also a 6-week course option that provides suitable study units that help you improve your English. The site covers:

  • nouns
  • verbs
  • adjectives
  • articles
  • tutorials
  • tests
  • activities

 

Ziptales - Reading for Children

Ziptales helps make reading fun for children aged 4 to 12+ years. Its content supports the National Curriculum and suitable for Key Stages 1 and 2 and the International Baccalaureate.

 

The Ziptales online library consists of over 550 interactive stories and activities with:

  • voice-overs
  • animations
  • quizzes
  • games