Research tools | a - z

Find information, prepare for tests, build job skills, launch your business, and more with our variety of research resources.

Our digital offerings may include third-party content or tools that are outside of our control. If you encounter an accessibility barrier, have concerns, or need reasonable accommodations, please contact us at 509.444.5300.

ABCMOUSE

Early learning games for math, phonics, science, and more for children ages 2-8.

Note: Only available on children’s computers in the all library locations.

Ancestry Library Edition

Ancestry Library Edition contains collections with unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom. Note: Available on computers at all library locations.

ATLANTIC MONTHLY

Discover the full text of The Atlantic Monthly magazine through our Ebsco subscription service.

CANDID FOUNDATION DIRECTORY PROFESSIONAL

A searchable directory of grantmakers, grants, and grant recipients by subjects and locations that can help nonprofits and individuals seeking funding, scholarships, or fellowships find and connect with funders. Note: Available on computers at all library locations.

CANDID GUIDESTAR PRO

GuideStar is Candid’s premier nonprofit research tool with the most complete, up-to-date nonprofit data available. Note: Available on computers at all library locations.

COMICS PLUS

Unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital graphic novels, manga, and picture books with no holds, wait lists, or monthly borrowing limits.

CONSUMER REPORTS

Discover the full text of the popular Consumer Reports magazine through our Ebsco subscription service.

COSTAR

CoStar is the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics and news.

DATA AXLE REFERENCE SOLUTIONS

Reference Solutions has vital information on every business & consumer in the United States & Canada, helping researchers find valuable sales leads, conduct market research or competitive analysis, and do effective marketing and outreach.

DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE

Explore Spokane’s history through historic images of the homes, buildings, streets, Indigenous Peoples, and activities in and around the region in the Inland Northwest Special Collection.

EBSCO AUTO REPAIR SOURCE

Auto Repair Source offers a user-friendly search experience and access to a wealth of information to help users diagnose, repair and maintain today’s complex vehicles.

EBSCO BUSINESS SOURCE COMPLETE

Full-text journals for business, including marketing, management, accounting, and economics, as well as detailed information on public and private companies, with a new topical interface.

EBSCO ETHNIC DIVERSITY SOURCE

This full-text database is a dedicated resource covering the culture, traditions, social treatment and lived experiences of different ethnic groups in America.

EBSCO EXPLORA MAGAZINES

A collection of the most popular full-text magazines, journals, and other highly-regarded sources from the world’s leading publishers.

EBSCO EXPLORA PRIMARY

Designed for elementary school students, Primary Search is a full-text database providing popular children’s magazines, easy-to-read encyclopedic entries and a vast image collection.

EBSCO LEGAL INFORMATION SOURCE

Legal Information Source offers users the necessary tools and detailed how-to instructions for a wide range of legal issues, including full-text legal reference books provided through Nolo, the nation’s oldest and most respected provider of legal information for consumers and small businesses.

EBSCO NOVELIST K-8 PLUS

Find fiction and nonfiction books and audiobooks by title, plot, keyword, or author for beginning readers up to teens.

EBSCO NOVELIST PLUS

Find fiction and nonfiction books and audiobooks by title, plot, keyword, or author, including “best of” lists, similar authors, and book discussion guides.

EBSCO POINTS OF VIEW ULTIMATE

This full-text database provides diverse perspectives on hundreds of debate topics and supports in-depth research into global issues, helping users analyze controversial topics, develop critical thinking and improve digital literacy.

EBSCO SCIENCE REFERENCE ULTIMATE

A comprehensive database offering full-text access to popular science magazines, journals, videos, experiments, lesson plans and e-books that supports core STEM courses, making it a valuable resource for both students and educators.

FAMILYSEARCH AFFILIATE LIBRARY

FamilySearch provides free access to a vast collection of digitized genealogical records from archives around the world. While some records have restricted access online, accessing FamilySearch through this link at a library location unlocks nearly 90% of these records. Create a free personal FamilySearch account – you will not need your library card to login. Only available on computers at any library location.

GALE EBOOKS

Searchable eBooks for children’s nonfiction eBooks, teen resources, study topics in science, and so much more.

GALE EBOOKS: TEEN HEALTH, FINANCE, & SOCIAL ISSUES

Searchable eBooks for teens that provide introductory information and support resources on health, finance, personal growth, and important social issues.

GALE PRESENTS: UDEMY

Learn and improve skills across business, tech, design, and more. Includes 6,000+ on-demand video courses in multiple languages.

IBISWORLD

700+ detailed market and industry reports for the United States including SWOT analyses, financial ratios, and more. Note: Only available on computers at Central Library.

KANOPY: FILMS

Stream eight videos a month from any computer, smart TV, or mobile device with 30,000 titles to choose from, or stream titles from our unlimited viewing packages without using credits. Supported by the Friends of the Library.

LEARNINGEXPRESS LIBRARY CAREER PREPARATION

Explore careers options and get help with job interviews, resumes, and career advice.

LEARNINGEXPRESS LIBRARY COMPLETE

LearningExpress Library Complete includes academic skill-building, test prep and career-related resources — all in one easy-to-use online platform. Now including the Job & Career Accelerator for help with job interviews, resumes, and career advice.

LEGAL GPS

Legal GPS is a gamified platform that helps new and existing businesses “do legal” without having to hire a lawyer.

LIBBY/OVERDRIVE: EBOOKS & AUDIOBOOKS

Find the Library’s collection of eBooks and audiobooks for all ages using OverDrive or the Libby app. Discover popular titles, new books, diverse collections, and more.

LIBBY/OVERDRIVE: MAGAZINES

Read the Library’s collection of digital magazines for all ages using OverDrive or the Libby app. Choose from popular magazines like Rolling Stone, National Geographic, Highlights, Minecraft World, and many more.

LINKEDIN LEARNING

Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Get started for free with your library card.

LIVEPLAN

LivePlan simplifies business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for small businesses and startups. Just fill in the answers presented and LivePlan does the heavy lifting for you.

LOTE4KIDS

LOTE4Kids is a selection of digital books in world languages, created for children to enjoy books and learn language through storytelling. Download the LOTE4Kids App today!

NEWSPAPERS.COM WEST

Search full text and images of a wide variety of historic Washington and Idaho newspapers, along with newspapers in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming.

NORTHSTAR DIGITAL LITERACY

Learn digital literacy skills to navigate the internet and computer tech with ease.

PITCHBOOK

Research and analyze companies, deals, funds, investors and service providers across the entire private investment lifecycle.

PLACER.AI

Placer provides location analytics including visit trends, trade areas, demographics, customer segmentation, and more.

PROCITIZEN

Take an online course to help prepare for the U.S Citizenship Naturalization Test.

PRONUNCIATOR LANGUAGE LEARNING

Learn over 150 languages, including English for foreign language speakers, with special courses for children and health care workers.

PROQUEST ABI/INFORM TRADE & INDUSTRY

In-depth coverage of companies, products, executives, trends, and other business research topics.

PROQUEST CULTUREGRAMS

Cultural and geographic fact sheets on countries, U.S. states, and Canadian provinces.

PROQUEST eLIBRARY

A magazine and newspaper database with images, audiovisual materials, and television news transcripts.

PROQUEST HEALTH DATABASE

Designed to give you introductory information support groups on topics that may be important to you covering health, finance, and personal growth.

PROQUEST HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS: WASHINGTON COLLECTION

Search full-image digital versions of Spokane’s newspapers, including The Spokesman-Review from 1883 to the present and The Spokane Chronicle from 1890-1992.

PROQUEST HISTORY STUDY CENTER

A curated collection of full-text journals and popular magazines on a wide range of global historical topics and themes.

PROQUEST LEARNING: LITERATURE

Texts and information students need for advancing their study of English literature.

PROQUEST RESEARCH LIBRARY

Provides one-stop access to thousands of full-text periodicals from one of the broadest and most inclusive general reference databases available.

PROQUEST SIRS DISCOVERER

Get answers on a variety of topics such as animals, countries, social issues, or famous people with topic overviews and eBooks for elementary and middle school students.

PROQUEST U.S. NEWSSTREAM

Search the most recent U.S. news content, as well as archives which stretch back into the 1980s, including the Spokane Journal of Business, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.

RMA STATEMENT STUDIES

Access to financial benchmarking figures including standards for balance sheet and income statement line items, as well as numerous industry average ratios.

TUMBLEBOOKS: CHILDREN'S EBOOKS

TumbleBook Library includes children’s fiction, non-fiction, and foreign language titles, math stories, read-alongs, videos, TumbleTV (pre-set playlists of a sequence of books), puzzles, and games.

VALUE LINE LIBRARY RESEARCH CENTER

Value Line’s comprehensive research center not only evaluates U.S. stocks, this expanded version also features mutual funds, options, and weekly investment and economic reports.

WORLD BOOK STUDENT

Access The World Book Encyclopedia along with daily current events, tools for educators, and dedicated resource guides for students.

WORLD BOOK TIMELINES

Explore the history of the world through World Book’s Timelines, including creating your own personalized timeline.

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Get Started

Downloads & Streaming

Can't Find it?

Language

Locations

Closures

Kiosks

Other Access

Attend an Event

Rent a Space/Host an Event

Partner With Us

Services

Genealogy & Local History

Language

Career & Economic Success

Creating & Making

Research & Learn

Online Courses

Partnerships

Homework Help

Kids & Teens

Homework Help

Teachers

Library Information

Library Organization

Partners

Support the Library

Connect with Us

Research tools | a - z

ABCMOUSE

Ancestry Library Edition

ATLANTIC MONTHLY

CANDID FOUNDATION DIRECTORY PROFESSIONAL

CANDID GUIDESTAR PRO

COMICS PLUS

CONSUMER REPORTS

COSTAR

DATA AXLE REFERENCE SOLUTIONS

DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE

EBSCO AUTO REPAIR SOURCE

EBSCO BUSINESS SOURCE COMPLETE

EBSCO ETHNIC DIVERSITY SOURCE

EBSCO EXPLORA MAGAZINES

EBSCO EXPLORA PRIMARY

EBSCO LEGAL INFORMATION SOURCE

EBSCO NOVELIST K-8 PLUS

EBSCO NOVELIST PLUS

EBSCO POINTS OF VIEW ULTIMATE

EBSCO SCIENCE REFERENCE ULTIMATE

FAMILYSEARCH AFFILIATE LIBRARY

GALE EBOOKS

GALE EBOOKS: TEEN HEALTH, FINANCE, & SOCIAL ISSUES