Be Curious! All databases, except Ancestry Library Edition and Foundation Directory Online, may be accessed at any time, from anywhere, on any device.

Ancestry Library Edition

Explore census, military, immigration, vital, land, and probate records, court documents, photographs, passenger lists, and more. View Tutorial

Remote Access: In-library use only.

A to Z the USA

This database covers all 50 States, 5 Territories, and Washington, DC. Learn key topics regarding each state and the USA as a whole, including biographies, culture, geography, historical timelines, local animals/plants, maps, national symbols, politics, and more!

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

A to Z World Food

Explore food culture and traditional recipes from 174 countries. Learn key topics such as national and regional cuisine, daily meals, dining etiquette, recipes, historic timelines, and more! View Tutorial

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

A to Z World Travel

A comprehensive travel guide providing practical information for experiencing the world and all its wonders, for travelers and students alike. Includes 202 world cities and key topics about each including, local attractions, city facts, climate, food, language, maps, money, transportation, and more!

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

Brainfuse HelpNow

An all-in-one suite of live, on-demand tutoring services designed for a wide range of academic needs whether it’s tackling a tough homework problem, mastering a particular topic, or writing a paper. View Tutorial + Ver Tutorial en Español

Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow (including Tools For Learners/LearnNow and Adult Learners)

A powerful tool for job seekers, veterans, and the families of veterans. View Tutorial + Ver en Tutorial Español

• JobNow is a versatile online service designed to support every step of the job search process. JobNow features live online coaches who, among other things, assist in resume/cover letter preparation, and can help you prepare for job interviews.
• VetNow is designed to help veterans and their families with navigating the VA bureaucracy, providing academic tutoring, and employment transition assistance.
• Tools For Learners/ LearnNow provides practice exams for students and professionals.
• Adult Learners provides live one-on-one sessions, the practice test center, and online resources.

Consumer Reports 

Access reviews, comparisons, ratings, and information on thousands of consumer products and services. View Tutorial

Remote Access: Contact the Library to obtain the required user ID and password. Remote Access Link

Craft & Hobby

Enjoy unlimited access to 4,000+ hours of crafting and hobby content in 20 different creative disciplines including woodworking, cake design, sewing, and even fitness!

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

Des Moines Register: ProQuest Historical Newspapers

Searchable, full-text access to the Des Moines Register from 1871 – recent. View Tutorial

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

Funded in part by a generous donation from the Urbandale Library Foundation.

FirstSearch

Search a collection of databases for information on a variety of subjects.

Remote Access: Contact the Library to obtain the required user ID and password.

Foundation Directory Online

A powerful research tool to find grant and funding opportunities for special projects, equipment, technology, and more. This tool includes grantmaker profiles that provide a summary overview of the funder’s work along with all the pertinent details fundraisers need to find and approach great prospects. View Tutorial

Remote Access: In-library use only.

HeritageQuest

Explore American genealogical and historical sources dating back to the 1700s including local and family histories, interactive census maps, and the Periodical Source Index of genealogy and local history magazines. View Tutorial

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

Library Speakers Consortium

Enjoy new, live-streamed bestselling author events each month, concluding with interactive Q&A sessions with the author. Browse upcoming author talks and register for an event to watch from the comfort of your home or come into the library to watch on one of our computers. All author talks are recorded and can be watched on-demand a few days following the conclusion of the live event.

The library periodically hosts a watch party for some of the author events so check our calendar for updates.

Sponsored by the Urbandale Library Foundation.

Mango Languages

This language-learning platform offers over 70 languages, as well as English as a second language courses in more than 20 languages. Mango aims to build real-world language skills by emphasizing proficiency through commonly used phrases, pronunciation through voice comparison technology, and cultural understanding through insights. (You must first create your account using a computer – it won’t allow you to create an account using a tablet or smartphone. After you have set it up you can access your account through a web browser or by downloading the app!) View Tutorial + Ver en Tutorial Español

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.

Medline Plus

Access reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, Medline Plus brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues (over 1000 health topics) in English and Spanish. It also has a growing collection of multilingual materials in almost 50 languages.

Click the following link to access current and past digital issues of NIH MedlinePlus magazine.

Morningstar Investment Research Center 

Review investment information on more than 23,000 stocks and mutual funds plus expert advice on building and analyzing an investment portfolio. View Tutorial

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required. Remote Access Link

Novelist and Novelist K-8

Enjoy book reviews and read-alike recommendations for readers of all ages. View Tutorial

Remote Access: Contact the Library to obtain the required user ID and password. Remote Access Link

The Outlook by CFRA

(Previously called “Standard and Poor’s Outlook”)

Drawing from the deep expertise of CFRA’s widely respected staff of strategists, researchers, and analysts, The Outlook identifies the developments and trends that affect stock performance and makes recommendations on when to buy, hold, and sell.

Remote Access: Contact the Library to obtain the required user ID and password.

People’s Law Library of Iowa

The People’s Law Library of Iowa is meant to be an easy-to-understand, basic information website about the law with the assumption that the user has no prior knowledge of law or legal topics. This website can be a good starting point for understanding some legal issues. It seeks to help users find primary law, so anyone can read the original text being summarized, and to collect and link to accurate, authoritative sources, like the Iowa Judicial Branch or Iowa Attorney General websites, for example.

The People’s Law Library is not legal advice, nor is it a replacement for a lawyer. The contents should be read as providing basic, introductory information only.

Value Line

Review stock analysis and investment research on companies, industries, markets, and economies. View Tutorial

Remote Access: A valid Urbandale Public Library card is required.