Homeschool Resources

Access billions of records spanning the United States, British Isles, continental Europe, and beyond, plus the largest collections of early American genealogical records, and published genealogical research journals and magazines.

Spans more than 500 years of political, military, social, and cultural history to cover the American experience. Primary sources, maps, charts, videos, and curricula included.

Access over a billion names in hundreds of databases, including U.S. Census records (1790-1930); military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories and passenger lists.

A weekly publication for investors. Provides in-depth articles examining companies and industries to spotlight possible investment opportunities.

Examines great writers, important works, memorable characters, and influential movements and events in world literature.

Via ProQuest, view full page and article images with searchable full text. This collection includes digital reproductions providing access to every page from every available issue.

This option provides a traditional newspaper experience on your tablet, computer or mobile device. Create a free account and gain access for 72 hours or use anonymously for 24 hours.

The full Chicago Tribune website with articles ready as soon as they are published. Create a free account and gain access for 72 hours or use anonymously for 24 hours.

Via ProQuest, this historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.

Automotive Repair information for do-it-yourself people.

Access all content from the Consumer Reports website. Consumers Union, an independent nonprofit organization, tests various products, reports on these tests, and rates products according to test results.

Offers daily Chicago-area business news, links to public records, and hundreds of local and national business-oriented sites. In-library use only; ask at the 2nd floor Reference Desk to log in.

Nurture your creative side with video classes taught by experts on topics including painting, knitting, crafting, sewing, Cricut, STEAM for kids, and more.

Searchable full-text articles from one of the most prominent daily newspapers in the Chicago suburbs.

Designed for students in high school and college, full-text content includes books, magazines, scholarly and trade journals, newspapers, photographs, transcripts, and videos on a variety of subjects.

Comprehensive encyclopedia with separate sections for kids, teens, and adults. Articles, images and biographies on thousands of different subjects included. Find trusted content for school projects or just to learn something new.

Genealogical records from one of the largest genealogy organizations in the country. Creation of a free personal account is required. The Ela Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate. Some content is only available inside the library.

Receive premium digital access to FT.com. Also included are current and archived issues of the ePaper, a replica of the printed newspaper. In-library access only; please ask at the 2nd Floor Reference Desk to log in.

Read full-color digital magazines on your computer or download the app. Featured titles: Consumer Reports, People, Entertainment Weekly, Real Simple, and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. Offers a wealth of searchable original documents for genealogists.

App available. Log in with your library card to instantly stream or download millions of songs. Download up to 5 items per week, and everything you download is yours to keep.

Gale Courses offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor-led online courses. Courses run for six weeks, and new sessions begin every month.

Keyword searchable encyclopedias and reference books on a wide range of subjects.

Access live and on-demand classes, designed for and taught by older adults, to enhance skills and foster social connections.

Search one of the largest collections of news from around the world. Access current global news and archives from the 1980s on, featuring full-text content from newspapers, newswires, and news sites.

Provides clear and comprehensive information on conditions and diseases, health and wellness, mental health, and the human body.

Access the U.S. Federal Census (1790-1950), Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Freedman's Bank records, will and probate records,  U.S. city and county directories, a digitized book collection, and more.

App available. Stream or download TV episodes, movies, ebooks, audiobooks, and comics for all ages. Even check out magazines (search Binge Pass). Check out up to 20 items per month. Note that the Library currently has a Daily Limit.

Access free DMV practice tests from driving-tests.org. Practice sample permit tests as many times as you need - until you're ready to take the real DMV test.

Learn how to invest, find news on market trends and personal finance, and access the digital IBD Weekly. In-library only - ask the 2nd floor Reference Desk to log in.

App available. Stream classic films and documentaries on-demand on your computer, tablet or mobile device. Check out up to fifteen items per month. Kanopy also includes children's shows and movies in its "Kids" section. 

Search full text articles or browse specific issues. Features of the newspaper covering Lake Zurich and the surrounding area include business news, entertainment, politics, food, and sports.

Thousands of legal forms available with more forms daily. Includes official, state specific, federal, business, personal, real estate and general forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues.

App available. An online learning platform with thousands of courses taught by experts. NOTE: To log in, enter your library card number and library account password. If using the app, the library’s custom link is “elalibrary”.

Help your kids learn a language and engage with reading. Choose from thousands of picture books in 70+ languages.

App available. Learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian and more. Create an account and then complete courses online or download the app.

An authoritative bibliographic database containing citations and abstracts for biomedical and health journals used by health care professionals, nurses, clinicians, and researchers.

Modern World History offers a comprehensive look at world history from the mid-15th century to the present.

Basic financial planning and investment advice as well as sophisticated portfolio analysis. Includes reports and exclusive Morningstar Ratings on stocks and mutual funds.

App available. Unlimited access to the NYT website and app every day. Features include TimesMachine archives, Learning Network curricula, and Today’s Paper. Click the link and create an account or sign in for 24 hours of access.

Search full-text coverage of the U.S. newspaper of record. Offers coverage of national and international news, plus important speeches and documents, Supreme Court decisions, and presidential press conference transcripts.

NewspaperArchive is home to more than 17,000 distinct publication titles, offering over 290 million pages of fully digitized newspaper content — all searchable via an intuitive, user-friendly platform.

Historical newspaper archive from the 1700s onward, containing thousands of well-known regional, state and small local newspapers in the U.S. and other countries.

Wondering what to read next? Let Novelist K-8 help you find new titles and authors to read. Browse genres or search by age or Lexile range.

An extensive database of fiction for adults, teens and kids, offering subject access and full-text reviews, read-alikes, awards, book lists, discussion guides, book talks, and articles for a wide range of reading interests.

Access complete books, in-depth video courses, and guides from industry experts on a wide range of current, high-demand technology topics, such as coding, digital photography, cyber security, and system administration.

App available. Download and enjoy ebooks and eaudiobooks on your computer, tablet or mobile device. Check out fiction and non-fiction ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics for all ages.

App available. Find newspapers and magazines from around the world in full text and full color on your computer or mobile device. Instant access to thousands of newspapers and magazines from over 150 countries in over 60 languages.

Information about recent new home sales, new business licenses, foreclosures and bankruptcies. Includes Lake, Cook, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Will, Kendall, and DeKalb counties.

Directory of U.S. publicly and privately-owned companies and information about individual consumers. Details on homeownership, age, purchase behaviors, and more. Provides the most up-to-date business and consumer data available.

Pairs classic video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks to build a love of reading and learning.

Thousands of teacher-created worksheets, mini-books, printable packs and lessons to use in class or at home, for grades pre-k to 8.

Pairs short videos and ebooks on a variety of social studies and science topics to help students build literacy skills.

An online collection of animated, talking picture books for kids. Books are also available in a read-along format and in Spanish and French.

Students and job seekers can receive live, professional help daily from 2-11pm. Submit homework questions or resumes anytime or prepare for standardized tests.

Provides access to Value Line’s leading publications covering stocks, mutual funds, options, and convertible securities, as well as special situation stocks.

Unlimited access to the Wall Street Journal’s website for three days at a time. Click the link and create a new WSJ account or sign in. After three days, click the link again and sign in for continued access.

Search full-text articles from this financial newspaper of record, which offers in-depth coverage of national and international finance as well as first-rate coverage of hard news.