KPL Reference

		Kingston Public Library	contact us home
		6 Green Street, Kingston Massachusetts 02364 781-585-0517

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Reference

Reference Services
The Reference Staff is ready to answer your questions, assist you in computer use, provide library instruction, and direct your research requests. We will help you find a book in our collection, place a hold, or order it through the virtual catalog and interlibrary loan. Come to the Reference Desk in person, call 781-585-0517 or email the Reference Department.

To communicate with a librarian online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, click on the Mass Answers logo.

Reference Collections
The print collection consists of dictionaries, general and specialized encyclopedias which cover a wide range of subjects; business listings and investment services including ValueLine and Morningstar; Massachusetts laws; consumer information; medical books; literary criticism; and history. Links to online databases can be found below.

Career Center: The library's career center has been moved to the shelves behind the reference desk. There you will find an assortment of books on test preparation, colleges, resume writing and career exploration. For more career assistance, check our online resource LearningExpressLibrary.

Photocopier: There is a photocopier available for public use. Charge is $0.20 per page.

Computers and Internet

There are ten computers available in the reference area for public use. Sign in at the Reference Desk for one hour of computer time. Each computer is equipped with Microsoft Office 2000 and high-speed Internet access. All computers are attached to a color printer. Photocopies are 10 cents a page. The Library offers wireless internet access for laptops.

To read the Kingston Public Library Board of Trustees policy on computer use click here.

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Library Databases / Online Resources

Many electronic resources are searchable from home!

All you need is your library card: your library barcode is your patron ID number.

Biography
	Biography Resource Center: Combines more than 50 Gale biographical databases with full-text periodicals. Funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and the SouthEastern Massachusetts Library System (SEMLS) At the Library or From Home
Books and Authors
	Novelist: Book and author suggestions. Check read-a-likes for more favorite authors, book club suggestions, book reviews, and more. Funded by the Kingston Public Library (KPL). At the Library or From Home
	netLibrary - Thousands of electronic books available for you to read or check out online. Funded by the Boston Regional Library System At the Library (netLibrary is not available from home computers.)
Business
	Reference USA: Internet-based reference service which contains information on more than 12 million U.S. businesses. Search by business name, geographic area, size, or product. Funded by KPL. At the Library or From Home
	Business & Company Profiles (InfoTrac): Access business and trade journals, newspapers and company directory profiles. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	General Business File ASAP (InfoTrac): Access to a combination of broker research reports, trade publications, newspapers, journals and company directory listings with full text and images. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
Career Assistance
	Learning Express Library: Unlimited access to online practice tests including the SAT, ACT, GED, ASVAB, Firefighter, Police Officer, EMT basic, U.S. Citizenship, Postal Worker, Real Estate and Broker exams and more. here are interactive skill-building courses and tutorials for students of all ages. You will get immediate scoring, explanation of answers, and an analysis of your results. Funded by the Kingston Public Library. At the Library or From Home
Consumer
	Chilton Library: An online version of the popular auto repair and maintenance manuals. At the Library or From Home
	Consumer Reports: Online version of the popular magazine. Login with username "kingstonref" password "6green". Funded by KPL. At the Library or From Home
	Price It! Antiques and Collectibles: Search by category to identify, research and price your art and collectibles. At the Library or From Home
Encyclopedias
	World Book Online Reference Center: Contains every article from the 22 volume print set plus thousands more. With state-of-the-art multimedia, editor-reviewed web sites, special reports, "back in time" chronicle of events and much more. Funded by the Kingston Public Library. At the Library or From Home
Genealogy
	Ancestry.com is the largest family history site online with over 4 billion names in worldwide historical records, family tree services, genealogy and more. At the Library
	The New England Historic Genealogical Society: (NEHGS) is the oldest genealogical society in the country. For over 160 years, NEHGS has helped new and experienced researchers trace their heritage in New England and around the world. NEHGS databases are now available to Kingston Library card holders. Funded by KPL.
General Research
	Expanded Academic ASAP (InfoTrac): Articles from scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers on topics from arts and the humanities to social sciences, science & technology. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	E-Library: Full-text articles and pictures from a wide variety of sources. Funded by SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
Health
	Health Reference Center - Academic (InfoTrac): Articles on: Fitness, Pregnancy, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Alcohol and Drug abuse, HMOs, Prescription Drugs, etc. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
Law
	Lawchek: Simple answers to everyday legal questions. Choose from eleven areas of law, state specific information. Funded by KPL. At the Library (Lawchek is not available from home computers.)
Literature
	Contemporary Literary Criticism (InfoTrac): An extensive collection of critical essays on contemporary authors with biographical/critical introductions. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
Magazines and Newspapers
	Newsbank: Search the full-text of the Cape Cod Times. Funded by SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	ProQuest: Full-text articles from the Boston Globe (1980 - date), Boston Herald (1981 - date), Patriot Ledger (1995 -date; 1991 - 1994 Business section only), New York Times Late Edition (East Coast 1980 - date) and Wall Street Journal (1982 - date), Providence Journal (1983 - date), Worcester Telegram and Gazette (1989 - date). Funded by SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	General Reference Center (InfoTrac): A general interest database of articles from magazines, reference books, and newspapers, many with full-text and images. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
Special Collections (see also the Local History Page)
	Special Collections Database on MLIN: A database of over 600 archives and manuscript collections in Massachusetts. Funded by MBLC. At the Library or From Home
Students
	InfoTrac Junior Edition: Full-text resources for junior high and middle school. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	InfoTrac Kid's Edition: Complements primary school curriculum. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	InfoTrac Student Edition: Coverage of topics most often researched in high school. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
	InfoTrac Professional Collection: 250 full-text titles for library and education professionals. Funded by MBLC and SEMLS. At the Library or From Home
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Useful reference links
General Information
	Refdesk.com: Hundreds of useful reference sites.
	Librarians Index to the Internet: Subject directory of web sites chosen by librarians.
Automobiles
	Edmunds: New and used car prices.
	Kelly Blue Book: New and used car prices.
	NADA: New and used prices for cars, trucks, marine vehicles and more.
Books
	Amazon.com: The largest online bookstore.
	Barnes and Noble: Online bookstore with reviews and out-of-print titles.
Business
	Smart Money: Street information and stock quotes.
	Hoover's Online: Research companies and business people.
College Information
	College Board: Site for students, parents, educators; search test information.
Employment
	Monster Board: Large career site listing jobs and recruiting resources.
	Boston Works: Job listings from Boston Globe online.
Financial Aid
	Financial Aid: Useful information in scholarships, loans, and savings plans.
Government
	Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Links to state agencies and bureaus.
	First Gov: United States government information.
Health
	Medlineplus: Search for information on diseases, medications, clinical trials, and current news from the National Library of Medicine.
	Mayo Clinic: Online health information from the Mayo Clinic physicians.
History
	BBC: A great web site in general, but their history pages are specifically outstanding.
	History Channel: Based on the television channel, this web site has a "this day in history" section, as well as a world timeline.
	History Net: Categorized history articles, features, thumbnailed picture gallery, discussion board, and special events and exhibits.
Law
	Mass. Trial Court Libraries: Web site of the Massachusetts court system. Find state laws and regulations.
	Findlaw.com: Legal information by state.
Libraries
	Boston Public Library: Check out their award winning web site and services.
	Internet Public Library: The first public library of and for the internet.
	Massachusetts Libraries: Sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, this web site provides information about Massachusetts libraries, programs, and services.
	Southeastern Massachusetts Library System: The SouthEastern Massachusetts (Regional) Library System (SEMLS) is one of six multi-type library systems funded through and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Membership includes public, academic, school and special libraries in 86 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Movies
	Internet Movie Database: Information on every movie ever made.
Taxes
	Massachusetts Department of Revenue: Massachusetts tax forms and publications.
	Internal Revenue Service: Federal forms and publications.
Travel
	Mapquest: Look up directions, phone numbers, airports, hotels, restaurants, and more
Weather
	National Weather Service: National weather information or search by city.
	Weather Channel: National weather information or search by city.
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Kingston Links
Links to Kingston Town Resources:	Town of Kingston
	Kingston Recreation Department
Links to Kingston Schools:
	Kingston Elementary School
	Kingston Intermediate School
	Silver Lake Regional Middle School
	Silver Lake Regional High School
	Sacred Heart Elementary School
	Sacred Heart High School
Links to other Kingston Resources:
	Jones River Village Historical Society: Kingston's historical society founded in 1909; takes care of the Major John Bradford Homestead and offers many educational and social programs throughout the year.
	Frederic C. Adams Heritage Center: Site contains information on the Friends of Kingston Heritage and the creation of the Frederic C. Adams Heritage Center, from the Town's 1898 Library building.
	Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center: JonesRiver.org was created with the aspiration to provide an online community for the environmental advocacy organizations and their partners, volunteers, and supporters, which encompass the Jones River and surrounding areas. This local non-profit is also a great place to learn about the history of boat building in the surrounding area.
	Kingston Reporter: Kingston weekly paper, part of the Memorial Press Group
	Kingston Observer: Kingston independently published bi-monthly paper.
	KingstonMass.com: Local and independent web site that covers going-on's in Kingston.
	Wicked Local Plymouth: Site dedicated to life in Plymouth and its surrounding communities, including Kingston.
	Kingston Newcomers Club: The Kingston Newcomers & Neighbors’ mission is to provide social, recreational, and charitable opportunities for both new and long-time Kingston residents. In doing so, the club strives to acquaint Kingston residents with all that our local community has to offer and give back to the community through service and charitable donations.