Free access to Ancestry and thousands of eBooks for all Victorians
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From today, State Library Victoria members will have access to more free online research tools than ever before, with Ancestry and EBSCO adding their resources to the Library’s databases.
In light of the Library’s temporary closure, the three organisations have joined forces to help people spend this time learning more about themselves, their families and thousands of other fascinating academic topics.
State Library Victoria CEO Kate Torney says the Library is heartened to see the generosity and sense of community coming from these organisations.
“During this time of uncertainty, it is a testament to these organisations that they are willing to go above and beyond to make their resources readily available to the local community,” said Ms Torney.
“As a Library, sharing information and giving people access to as many tools and resources as possible is at the heart of what we do, so we are proud to be able to expand this offering now, when people need it the most,” said Ms Torney.
Ancestry
Family history resource Ancestry, which normally relies on individual paid subscriptions, is offering Library members free online entry to its databases until 31 May 2020.
Members can use this to view records from across the globe including WWI pension records, directories, birth and marriage certificates, convict history and more, adding significant breadth the Library’s already expansive family history research tools.
Ancestry is now available for State Library Victoria members via its research guides. Library members need to login using their library membership details as they would any other remote access database.
EBSCO
EBSCO is sharing its comprehensive academic eBook collection to members until 30 June 2020. EBSCO’s collection of databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions and eBooks increases the Library’s eBook collection by a staggering 900 per cent, taking it from 19,000 titles to 220,000.
This multidisciplinary collection includes fiction, travel, true crime, education, language arts and disciplines, philosophy, technology, engineering and world history.
State Library Victoria registered members can access the full range of over 200,000 EBSCO books, in addition to the Library’s existing collection, via the Library’s database.
To register for a free access membership to State Library Victoria and have all these tools available with the click of a button, please visit https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/get-involved/free-access-membership