Youth Resources

Research

Biography Reference Center
Find biographies and related information.
PLS
Britannica Escolar
Spanish encyclopedia for educators and students in elementary and secondary school.  Enciclopedia español para educadores y los estudiantes en primaria y secundaria.
PLS
Britannica School
Encyclopedia for educators and students in elementary and secondary school.
PLS

California Missions eBook Series
A username and password is needed to read a mission eBook:
username: missions
password: missions

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CultureGrams
Provides concise and reliable cultural information on the countries of the world.

PLS
Explora  (grades K-5)
Explora  (grades 6-8)
Explora  (grades 9-12)
Homework help for students.  Find topic overviews, articles from encyclopedias and magazines, biographies and more. 
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Gale in Context: Environmental Studies
Provides comprehensive information, empowering learners to critically analyze and understand important topics that affect people around the world. Explore topics and events within Earth systems, global change, pollution, populations, and more.

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Gale Interactive: Science
A highly visual online learning tool for middle and high school grades that takes learning to the next level by bringing the lab to the classroom. 

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History Reference Source
Find overviews of historical events, plus articles from magazines and journals.

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Homework CA
Live one-to-one tutoring available 24/7 in both English and Spanish. Subjects include English, math, science, social studies, writing, reading and world languages. Tutoring available for AP, ACT, SAT, IB subjects as well as ACT/SAT, AP and college admissions prep from The Princeton Review.

PLS

Homework Central (Proquest)
Search magazines, newspapers, books, videos, and more.  For high school level students.

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National Geographic Kids
Includes the complete run of the magazine from 2009 - present, as well as books, videos, and images for primary, upper elementary and middle school students.

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Points of View
Find information on social issues, such as gun control, genetic engineering, censorship, endangered species, and terrorism. Perfect for debate prep, current events assignments and research papers.

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ProQuest eLibrary
Contains magazine and digital media content designed for beginning and intermediate researchers.

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Science Reference Source
Research science topics.

PLS

SIRS Discoverer
A general reference database providing reliable, curriculum-aligned content and features for use by students in grades 3-9 and educators.

PLS

SIRS Issues Researcher
Pros and cons on hundreds of social issues with relevant, credible information.  For grades 6+.

PLS

TeachingBooks
Find multimedia resources, book guides, lesson plans, author interviews, and more for fiction and nonfiction books for the K-12 reader.  

PLS

Skill Building

ABC Mouse (from within the library)
ABC Mouse (from home)
Over 3,500 interactive books, educational games, puzzles, and other learning activities in English and Spanish. 
For young learners ages 2-8.  
SMPL card required

Brainfuse
Get unlimited, live homework help with your San Mateo Public Library card.

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TumbleBook Library
Animated books to enhance children's reading.

SMPL card required
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San Mateo Library Card Required
This means you must hold a San Mateo library card in order to access this information.
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Only Accessible at a Library
This means the information is only available through a computer at one of the San Mateo libraries. You will not be able to access this information from home/work.
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Any PLS Library Card Accepted
This means you must hold ANY Peninsula Library System library card in order to access this information.
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No Library Card Required
This means the information is open to the public. You do not need a library card nor do you need to be at a library.