Libraries - Online Reference Room

The Information 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. Members will need their borrower number and PIN. Non-members can only access these resources within a library. 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. We also provide our own Community Information and Web Directory.

Latest News

We are pleased to announce that we have now added the The Guardian and The Observer Archive 1791-2003 to our online library collection. This archive is currently only available in library branches, but we hope to make it available at home as well.

Ancestry UK is now available in all branches of Kingston Libraries and the Local History Room. Just use any public access computer at these locations to visit Ancestry from this page or the dedicated links on the public access computers. Ancestry is not accessible from home, it is only accessible from within Library and Heritage Service public access computers.

The BFI Screen Online Archive is now accessible from within all library branches. This archive is not accessible from home.

NewsUK now includes online access to a wide range of magazines. All newspapers and magazines are regularly updated. See the content list in NewsUK for details of titles.

How to access the 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.

Please be aware that currently NewsUK and all Britannica editions are only available within Kingston Library branches. Also please be aware that some home personal firewall software may block access to these links from home computers by default. Firewall software configuration is different for each supplier and for different versions of each suppliers firewall. We cannot offer direct advice on configuring your firewall software but if you email us using the email address above we will try and give general advice.

Links

My Account log-in to your library account to access the resources from outside a library
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
London Libraries home page
What's In London Libraries find information about all public libraries in London including where they are and search their catalogues
Kingston Museum Online Resources. Resources for Schools and of interest to anyone interested in Kingston's long and distinguished history.

Also see:

Community Info Clubs,societies and non profit organisations in Kingston Borough
Web Directory Recommended web sites on many topics