Online Reference Room
Online Reference Room Resources
The Library Service subscribes to many online information resources which are available in all our branches free of charge. Library members can also use most of them from any computer anywhere which has internet access, so long as they have their PIN number. To obtain your PIN please ask a member of staff in any library or email LIBICT@rbk.kingston.gov.uk and confirm your borrower number, name and address.
See the links at the bottom of this page for a list of the online resources available.
EBook collection
Our Netlibrary ebook collection is now available. You can view any ebook from a library computer, and they can be downloaded onto a USB flash drive or similar storage media to take away. To access the ebook collection from home you must first create an account using a library computer in one of our branches.
How to access the online resources
From a library computer simply follow the links below.
From a computer outside the library log in to your account following these instructions.
*NEW* To access all 3 Britannica editions from home you should click on the links below and then enter your full 11 character membership number including the "KTP" prefix (for example as KTPnnnnnnnx). You do not need to log in to the Library Catalogue first and you do not need your PIN.
For all other resources except NewsUK follow the instructions below.
- When you have got your PIN please log-in using the My Account link below. Your borrower number is the last 8 characters (either 8 numbers or 7 numbers and 1 letter) of the borrower number on your membership card. Do not enter the KTP prefix.
- Click on 'My account' from the tabs at the top of the page, if not already selected.
- Enter your borrower number (remember without the KTP prefix) and your PIN
- Click on 'online reference resources'.
- Click on the resource you want to use.
NewsUK and all Britannica editions are only available within Kingston Library branches.
Some home personal firewall software may block access to these links. As firewall software configuration varies, we cannot offer advice on configuring your firewall software but if you email us using the email address above we will try and give general advice.
Related External Links:
- My Account log-in to your library account to access the resources from outside a library.
- Netlibrary ebook collections. Visit our Netlibrary ebook collection. To access our ebooks from outside a library you must first create a Netlibrary account from a library computer.
- The Guardian and The Observer Archive 1791-2003
- Ancestry UK Public Library Edition is now available in all branches of Kingston Public Libraries and also at the Local History Room, North Kingston Centre. Ancestry UK is not available from home computers.
- BFI Screen Online Archive is now available in all library branches (sorry this is not available outside the library)
- Britannica Online for adults search four of Britannica's encyclopaedias including the most up to date multi volume set (Use 11 character borrower number outside a library)
- Britannica online for students 12 - 18 specifically for students (Use 11 character borrower number) outside a library
- Britannica online for Juniors 5 - 11 - tailored for juniors (Use 11 character borrower number outside a library)
- Oxford Music Online - this up-to-date major encyclopaedia offers information on music and musicians through the ages
- Oxford Art Online (formerly Grove Art Online) - find information on artists and art movements world wide from prehistory to the present day
- Credo Reference (formerly xreferplus) - search a selection of major reference books on topics ranging from art and fashion to maths and technology
- KnowUK offers full access to over 100 major directories including 'Whitaker's Almanac' and 'Who's Who'.
- NewsUK- Find the full text of articles from a wide range of national and local UK newspapers (currently not available outside the library) NEW - NewsUK now includes access to a wide range of magazines
- Newsplan London and South East - Find archives of local newspapers for all over London and the South East
- Newsplan West Midlands - Find archives of local newspapers for the West Midlands
- Oxford Reference Online Find information in over 100 of Oxford's dictionaries and companions via one cross-searchable database
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- Oxford English Dictionary The major English language dictionary is being fully revised and updated
- Kompass for the UK. - The business search engine. Find contact details for companies.
- People's Network Enquire Service
Fill in the form which can be found from the front page and a new window will open allowing you to discuss your enquiry online in real time with a librarian from one of the participating libraries - Kingston Museum Online Resources. Resources for Schools and of interest to anyone interested in Kingston's long and distinguished history.
The "London Libraries" website has now been discontinued by the sponsoring agency.
The "What's In London Libraries" website has now been discontinued by the sponsoring agency.