Reference & Research Resources Available

Have questions or need to do some research?  Check out the following databases.


AUTOMOTIVE

AutoMate
Repair information and schedules, diagrams, parts and labor estimates, service alerts, and recalls. Covers thousands of domestic and imported vehicles.

BOOKS & READING

MelCat
The Michigan eLibrary provides all Michigan residents with free access to online full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and other valuable research information at any time via the internet. MelCat is an easy-to-use interlibrary loan system to allow Michigan residents to borrow books and other library materials for free from participating Michigan libraries.

Michigan Authors & Illustrators 
This is a great source for students looking for Michigan authors to read, for librarians or teachers looking for Michigan authors to do events, or for collection development.

What’s Next? From the Kent District Library 
This search engine helps you find the next books in a series. 

BUSINESS

Demographics Now 

Business and residential tool providing access to demographic data. Drill down to the city or even neighborhood level. Identify markets and audiences in your community. Ideal for supporting small business and local economic development activities. Strong tool for businesses and non-profits alike. 

A to Z Databases

Detailed information on 30 million businesses and executives and 2 million new businesses. Includes data on over 200 million residents as well as new movers/homeowners. Special features include a background and criminal history search. Information provided on U. S. healthcare professionals. Includes a jobs database and email marketing.

EDUCATION

World Book Kids
Grades Pre K - 5. Easy-to-read content for elementary school learners. Hundreds of activities, science projects and experiments.

Britannica School
Nonfiction content geared for K-12 students. Includes over 132,000 encyclopedia articles, 103,000 images, 7,500 multimedia elements, more than 27,000 eBooks, and novels and essays. Tools include translation for 50+ languages and read-aloud functionality. Includes Lexile ranges and alignment with Michigan Department of Education Academic Standards across a variety of subjects.

GENEALOGY

MyHeritage Library Edition
Family history/genealogy resource including more than 6 billion historical records from the United States, Europe, Latin American, and other regions.

Seeking Michigan 
Seeking Michigan is the online platform for the Michigan Historical Center. It includes archives of Michigan research guides and indexes, a blog, and educator resources – all from the Michigan Historical Center and Archives of Michigan staff.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Medline Plus 
Medline Plus brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

JOBS

High School Equivalency Center 
Guided support and preparation to help you earn a high school equivalency credential.

Job and Career Accelerator
Browse resources to help find the right career for you.

LearningExpress Library 
Resources for high school and college students, including test prep, career preparation, and skill-building resources.

LEGAL

Michigan Legal Help 
Michigan Legal Help is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer. It can help you learn about  legal issues and get ready for court.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce 
Whether you're in need of a referral, building a business, planning a visit, moving to the area or looking for a community event, we welcome you to browse our site and learn more about what the Allendale Chamber can do for you.

Allendale Christian School 
Browse Allendale Christian School’s website to find out more about upcoming events, information about enrollment and more. 

Allendale Historical Society 
Browse the Allendale Historical Society’s Facebook page. Their goal is to promote the understanding and appreciation of the historical and cultural heritage of Allendale Township and the surrounding area.

Allendale Lions Club 
Browse the Lions Club website. Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief – to serve their community.

Allendale Public Schools 
Browse the Allendale Public School website to find out more about upcoming events, information about enrollment and more. 

Allendale Rotary Club 
The Allendale Rotary Club was chartered in 2008 and has been working ever since to make the Allendale community an even better place to live by providing funding for many local endeavors such as Allendale Music Boosters, Engine House no. 5 Foundation, Manna Meals, Allendale Robotics Team, Allendale Splash Pad, Amazing Reading Bus, Allendale Equestrian Club, Allendale Rocketry Club, Allendale Community Field Day, and many more!

Allendale Township 
Visit Allendale Township’s website to keep up-to-date on local info or have your community questions answered. 

Engine House no. 5 Fire Museum 
Engine House No 5 was originally constructed in 1880 on the banks of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids Michigan on the corner of Leonard and Monroe Streets.  This historic station served the Grand Rapids community for 100 years.

Macaroni Kid Allendale, Hudsonville & Zeeland
Providing a free resource for parents across Ottawa County, Macaroni Kid features a local event calendar packed full of free and low-cost events for you and your family. Their local website and e-newsletter also shares local business features, parenting tips and articles, recipes, craft ideas and much more. Signing up is free and it's delivered to your inbox each week.