The following databases are subscription-only databases paid for by Yakima Valley Libraries with additional funding from Washington State Library. You must provide a current Yakima Valley Libraries card to access them. Click here for Category list of Databases
A full-text digital resource exploring the history and culture of African Americans, as well as the greater Black Diaspora. Includes information from 400 books, 3,000 slave narratives, 2000 images, and 5,000 primary sources. Remote access available.
Concentrates on the social aspects of American history including the arts, medicine, the media, education, world events, religion, government and politics, lifestyles, social trends, law, religion, business and the economy from 1900 through 1999. Remote access available.
American Decades Primary Sources
Includes first-hand accounts, diaries, speeches and other primary source material from 1900 through 1999. Remote access available.
American Indian Experience: History and contemporary culture of American Indians
Includes 150 reference books, hundreds of primary source documents and thousands of images. Remote access available.
Genealogical database that includes federal and state census, church, military, court, land, probate, immigration, and vital records. Available from within the libraries only.
is a one-of-a-kind web-based resource that explores the craft, insight, habits, hobbies, studies and passions of today's top young adult authors. Remote access available.
Repair information for cars/trucks. Includes wiring diagrams. Remote access available.
Booklist Online (Remote) OR (From Library)
is both a free Web site and a subscription database. The free site offers a generous selection of Booklist magazine content?plus some Web-only features?and is updated daily or weekly, depending on the portion of the site. The subscription database contains archived reviews and feature that are dynamically linked.
Repair information for domestic and import vehicles. Updated monthly. Includes wiring diagrams. Remote access available.
Chronicle Occupational Briefs (Remote) OR (From library) Contact your library for your username and password.
Chronicle Occupational Briefs present information on more than 2,000 occupational titles, including 650 comprehensive occupational descriptions, ranging from those that require a high school diploma or less, through professional careers; that's more than 95% of the jobs in the workforce.
Consumer Reports inside the library
Consumer Reports outside the library
Published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936, Consumer Report publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on test results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides. The annual Consumer Reports new car issue is released every April.
CultureGrams Online (Remote) OR (From Library)
CultureGrams Online: Cultural information on countries including manners and customs, food. Excellent for country reports and for travelers. Includes StateGrams and KidsGrams. Remote access available
A searchable database that spotlights the day-to-day lives of average Americans, past and present. Includes books, primary source documents, photos on subjects such as food, clothing, housing, religion, family life, games , music and dance. Remote access available
Dictionary of American History
Comprehensive encyclopedia of American history. Includes maps and primary source documents. Remote access available
Ebsco Reference Databases include: Magazine, journal and newspaper articles; Informacion en Espanol, Newspaper Source, Novelist : Find Something Good to Read, Searchasaurus-Elementary School, Kids Search-Elementary & Middle School, Student Research Center-Middle School & High School, Academic Search Premier, Auto Repair Reference Center, Consumer Health Complete and Book Index with Reviews. Remote access available.
Magazine, newspaper articles translated into Spanish. Includes information on Health, Business and magazines especially for Children. Remote access available.World Book's Spanish encyclopedia. Remote access available.
Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos en Línea(Remote) OR (From Library)
Encyclopedia of American Religions
Presents coverage of 2500 North American religious groups from Adventists to Zen Buddhists. Remote access available
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion
Examines the origins of clothing, development of fabrics and the social meaning of dress. Everything from the toga to body piercing. Remote access available.
Contains over 3000 entries covering all religions. The award-winning standard reference work in the field of religion. Remote access available.
Encyclopedia of World Biography
Biographical articles on famous people from ancient times to present. Remote access available.
HeritageQuest Online (Remote) OR (From library)
Genealogical database that includes federal census records, family histories, local histories, Periodical Source Index and more. Remote access available.
A one-stop history resource for schools.
Holidays, Festivals and Celebration of the World Dictionary
Holidays, festivals, commemorations, holy days, feasts from all parts of the world. Remote access available.
Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Mexican States
Information about the 31 Mexican States. Topics covered include climate, plants and animals, population, ethnic groups, religions, transportation, famous people and much more. Remote access available.
Content from 170 reference books, primary source documents, a time line. Includes information, audio clips, maps and images on subjects ranging from immigration protests to recipes. English and Spanish content. Remote access available.
Interactive test preparation guides for the GED, U.S. Citizenship, ASVAB, GRE, SAT and more. Remote access available.
Legal form templates available for Washington State. Remote access available.
is an online language-learning system offering basic, travel, and active courses in over 35 languages teaching conversational proficiency, vocabulary, and grammar skills. The approach is based upon your native language and your skill level with a second language. Remote Access available.
is an online language-learning system teaching
actual conversation skills for a wide variety of languages. Languages include
English for Spanish Speakers, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, French,
German, Italian, Greek, Russian and Mandarin Chinese.
Remote Access available.
(soon to be replaced by Livemocha, see above)
Morningstar Investment Research Center(Remote) OR (From library)
Information and advice on stocks, mutual funds and ETFs for the investor. Remote access available.
New Dictionary of the History of Ideas
Where did concepts like democracy, honor and equal rights come from? How does one idea influence another? Remote access available.
Novelist Plus: Guide to Reading
Looking for something good to read? Find a new favorite author. Contains fiction and non-fiction books for all ages as well as special features for book discussion groups and educators. Remote access available.
If you are in elementary or middle school and are looking for new books to read, try this database. It includes fiction and non-fiction titles that you'll enjoy reading. It also includes lists of books that have won awards, author biographies and book discussion guides. Remote access available.
Pop Culture Universe : Icons Idols Ideas : People, Movies, Music 1920s to date.
Search by decade or topic : sports, news, inventions, clothing. Includes 6000 images, 307 reference books and 17,000 encyclopedia entries. Remote access available.
Access to thousands of current periodicals and newspapers including full text of some Washington Newspapers including the "Seattle Times," as well as the "New York Times" and the "Wall Street Journal." Remote access available.
Business and residential directory for 12 million U.S. businesses, 1.3 million Canadian businesses and 102 million U.S. residents. Remote access available.
An award-winning general reference resource for beginning learners and researchers in grades 1-9. Includes magazine and newspaper articles, recommended web sites for students, images, maps and supplemental curriculum and learning materials. Remote access available.
Spanish Discovery Encyclopedia Online(Remote) OR (From library)
General Spanish encyclopedia published by World Book. Remote access available.
Legal form templates available for Washington State. Includes forms for Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Landlord/Tenant, Probate. Remote access available.
Subjects include celebrations and rituals, food and drink, holidays and festivals, music and dance, religion and belief, tales, myths and urban legends and traditional arts and crafts. Available within the libraries only.
World Book Online(Remote) OR (From library)
Excellent general encyclopedia for all ages. Remote access available.
World Conflicts Today explores protracted, unresolved world conflicts.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations
Comprehensive information on all the countries of the world and the United Nations. Includes history, government, the economy, religion, education and famous people. Remote access available.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the States
Everything you want to know about the states, geography, history, ethnic groups, economy, state symbols and famous people. Remote access available.
Search the Yakima Herald Republic from 1997 to date. Full-text articles available for printing. Remote access available.