Databases
A descriptive list of all online database subscriptions available to Ridgefield Library cardholders. All are brought to you by the Ridgefield Library unless otherwise noted. Databases with the researchIT logo are brought to you by the Connecticut State Library and are available to all CT library cardholders. Have your library card handy for log-in.
Please note that the state library research service formerly known as iCONN is now called researchIT CT. Re-branded items are located under their new name in the list below and indicated by the new logo.
Email Adult Services Desk or call 203-438-2282 ext. 201
A
The Premier Job Search, Reference & Mailing List Database including 30 million business & executive profiles & 240 million residents. Ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and much more!
The gold standard for business research. ABI/INFORM Collection includes thousands of important full-text journals and sought-after titles from the business press as well as key trade publications, newspapers, dissertations, conference proceedings, and market reports.
Covers a wide variety of academic topics. Includes full text articles from 4,600 journals.
*Available only from computers in the Library
Search more than 500 databases maintained by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS). Covers vital, probate, cemetery, church, and other records spanning the U.S. and beyond, including one of the most extensive online collections of early American records.
Millions of current and archived articles spanning more than three decades can be searched, browsed, printed, emailed and cited from over 3,000 news sources nationwide. Available in the library and remotely with your Ridgefield Library card.
Scroll down to Quick Links to go to a subset of news sources including The Ridgefield Press and The News-Times (Danbury, CT).
*Available only from computers in the Library (Not available from home)
The world’s most popular consumer online genealogy resource. Billions of records from 8,000 databases. Includes census data, vital records, immigration and military records, and more. Unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom. Ancestry.com, Inc. is based in Provo, UT.
B
Original biographies from H.W. Wilson, including the trusted Biography Index. Covers 500,000 people.
Over 451,000 biographies from EBSCO, including thousands of narrative biographies not available elsewhere.
C
See Foundation Directory Online (FDO) and Guide Star.
Create an individual account and search Connecticut records only. The complete Ancestry.com database is available from computers in the Library.
Explore the Consumer Reports database. Search for products, find ratings, recommendations, information on reliability, and buying guides. View the current issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
Archived, full-text Consumer Reports articles are also available on MasterFILE Premier. Click on “Publications” (on upper left green bar) then browse for “consumer reports” and click on the Consumer Reports link.
E
Education Resource Information Center contains1.3 million records with 323,000 in full text. 1966 to present.
F
Fiero Code is a self-guided online software program that teaches you how to code through hundreds of coding tutorials and dozens of real-world projects. Fiero Code offers a gamified learning experience ― as you progress through the activities, you’ll earn clothes and accessories for your personal avatar.
Foundation Directory Online Professional
Available only in the Library.
For assistance with FDO searches please email: [email protected]
*Available only from computers in the Library.
Find funding for artists, students and other individuals.
G
Covers environmental science topics such as global climate change, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more.
Find and check a charity using Candid’s GuideStar.
H
1992 to present *Temporarily reinstated during ongoing CT state budget discussions – Hartford Courant
1764-1922* Temporarily reinstated during ongoing CT state budget discussions
Hartford Courant Historical
U.S. and world history;1,620 reference books, over 150 history journals, biographies, historical documents, photos, maps, and 80 hours of historical video.History Reference Center
Instantly borrow free digital movies, music, downloadable audiobooks, comics, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your Ridgefield Library card. Multiple users can check out the same item so you will never have to place a hold. Hoopla
J
JobNow provides help with resume writing, interviewing, and job search, including live online coaching and feedback from experts.
Use Resume Lab to submit your resume and receive feedback from a resume expert, usually within one business day. There is no need to include your name, address, e-mail, or any other identifying information.
Build and create professional resumes and cover letters and master interviewing and networking techniques. Find detailed information on more than 1,100 occupations along with current job and internship postings. Sign In/Register with your email address and any Connecticut public library card number.
L
Search 225 legal reference sources in full text including Nolo books. Print thousands of state-specific legal forms.
Authoritative sources of articles and reference information, brought to you by the Ridgefield Library unless otherwise noted. Have your library card handy for log-in.
(EBSCO) Literary research and criticism including drama, and author/playwright biographies.
Online video learning resource offering more than 3,400 video courses covering a wide range of topics including commercial software, business skills, computer programming and web development, creative and technical skills, social media, video and music editing, and much more.
Log on using your Ridgefield Library barcode and the password used to log into your Ridgefield Library catalog account. (This password may be the last four digits of your phone number or the newer 12+ character password if you created it.) You will be asked to create a LinkedIn Learning account which will allow you to track your progress through your tutorials. LinkedIn Learning is accessible from computers and mobile devices.
If you are having trouble accessing LinkedIn Learning, please contact Adult Services at [email protected] or call us at 203-438-2282 x201.
M
Covers all topics; 1,700 magazines, reference books, images and Consumer Reports in full text. 1975 to present.
Investment research for stocks, bonds, mutual funds and more. If you have trouble accessing Morningstar, please contact Adult Services at [email protected].
As a reminder, please click “End Session” in the upper right corner and then close out of your browser to allow other patrons access to Morningstar. There is a limited number of patrons who can access Morningstar at the same time.
More than 5 billion historical records from all over the world, including U.S. and U.K. census records, 1.5 billion exclusive family tree profiles from MyHeritage and Geni, millions of public records and tombstone photos, directories, guides, references, biographies and yearbooks, exclusive databases such as the Jewish Chronicle historical newspaper and many others. MyHeritage is based in Israel.
N
Search 860 full text newspapers. Also includes television and radio news transcripts.
Browse fiction and nonfiction; view read-alikes and recommended reading lists. Includes book discussion guides.
Find fiction and nonfiction books for school projects and for pleasure. Recommended reading lists and read-alikes too. Grades K-8
P
Full text articles from 70 popular magazines for elementary school research. All articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles).
Online language learning program, featuring beginning and advanced modules for 80 languages, plus extensive assistance with learning English for speakers of many languages. Pronunciator is available on mobile devices by using a browser to go to pronunciator.com/app and logging in with the student name and password for your account.
Search all eight researchIT CT newspapers together: Christian Science Monitor, Harford Courant, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post, along with other national newspapers. Formerly known as iCONN Newstand.
R
Find customized information on 57 million U.S. businesses. Perfect for market research and job seekers.
Also search U.S. New Businesses, U.S. Jobs/Internships, U.S. Standard White Pages, U.S. Consumers/Lifestyles, and U.S. Healthcare (physicians and dentists).
Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)
Comprehensive research in Spanish. Includes 10 Latin American newspapers, reference books and magazines.
ResearchIT CT (formerly iConn) offers free online resources as a service of the Connecticut State Library. Here you will find journal, magazine, and newspaper articles for Connecticut public, K12, and academic libraries and their users. RBdigital, a collection of downloadable eAudiobooks and eBooks for Connecticut residents, is also available.
Temporarily unavailable
The Ridgefield Authors Online Directory was on a platform called Wikispaces which officially closed in July 2018. The content of the Directory has been copied and saved, and we will be migrating it to the Ridgefield Library website. In the meantime, if you would like access to the content from the Ridgefield Authors Online Directory, please contact the Adult Services Desk at [email protected].
The Ridgefield Encyclopedia is a compendium of thousands of entries on people, places, organizations, and things relating to Ridgefield, Connecticut.
The encyclopedia is compiled and written by Jack Sanders. It is constantly being expanded and edited and new material is added daily. Please check back for updated versions.
Additional research by Jack Sanders on the history of Ridgefield is listed after the encyclopedia.
The Ridgefield Encyclopedia
by Jack Sanders, updated August 2021
Racism in 20th Century Ridgefield
by Jack Sanders, June 2020
Uncle Ned’s Mountain: Two Centuries of African-American Slaves, Farmers, Soldiers, and Saviors in a Small New England Town
by Jack Sanders, updated August 2021
Please visit Ridgefield Library’s Genealogy & Local History web page for additional resources on the history of Ridgefield.
Search The Ridgefield Press from April 2003 to present through America’s News by NewsBank. This is a full-text, fully searchable archive of The Ridgefield Press. Search anywhere, any time and on any device using this mobile friendly resource. A Ridgefield Library card is required for remote access.
Click on the NewsBank logo (upper left) to search the 3,000 news sources on America’s News by NewsBank. Scroll down to use the Quick Links section (on the right side) for quick access to subsets such as The News-Times (Danbury, CT) and news sources in Connecticut.
The Ridgefield Timeline is arranged by year and contains of thousands of events during Ridgefield’s first three hundred years. It is searchable by using “Command F” (Mac) or “Control F” (Windows). The Timeline is being regularly enlarged and revised by Jack and Sally Sanders.
Please visit Ridgefield Library’s Genealogy & Local History web page for additional resources on the history of Ridgefield.
S
Information on business management topics from starting a company, operations management and sales to growing or rescuing a business. The database contains full-text periodical articles as well as Nolo legal books, business videos with critical information for business owners, and a collection of state-specific business resources.
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Search 280 education periodicals for teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals.
Search more than 50 selected topics such as gun control and abortion rights. Covers social, political, economic, scientific and other popular classroom discussion topics.
V
Investment research information and market trends. Current and historical data, and expert forecasts. Check the status of stocks, mutual funds and other securities.