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Encyclopedias

Library Databases

Our databases have lots of information from trusted sources that’s typically not available through the Internet.  You’ll need your library card to log into some of them.

Canadian Encyclopedia – A comprehensive information source about Canada and Canadians, for students, the general public and scholars. Includes articles written by experts, as well as web links and multimedia clips.  No library card is required to access these resources on the Internet.
  Explora Canada – Information for students of all ages on a wide variety of topics, from history and current events to science and technology. Search a variety of sources such as magazines, encyclopedias, primary source documents and more.
  Explora Primary Schools – A research interface for K-5.  Simple search that quickly delivers relevant results including articles, essays, and primary source documents to help students feel successful in their research. Easy-to-browse categories organized by popular topic to give students research ideas. Topic overviews that provide students with a starting point for research.
World Book Encyclopedia – all of these products are available for your use:
L ‘Encyclopédie Découverte – French language encyclopedia from World Book for younger users who are fluent in French. Also useful for older students and adults for whom French is a second language. This resource is paid for by the Provincial Government. Video Tutorial [4:45 minutes]
Encyclopedia of British Columbia Online (In-Library use only) – BC people, places, arts, history, literature and more are covered in this special online encyclopedia. Includes articles, photographs, video and sound clips, web links, handy statistics, maps and diagrams.
KnowBC Online (In-Library use only) includes:

  • Encyclopedia of British Columbia: with more than 4,000 entries and 1,500 accompanying photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips.
  • Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes
  • The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names: A Complete Reference to Coastal British Columbia
  • Far West: The Story of British Columbia
  • Raincoast Chronicles 20: Lilies and Fireweed: Frontier Women of British Columbia
  • Where Mountains Meet the Sea: A History of Coastal BC
Points to the Past – Searchable primary source material: maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, sermons, poems, and more. For research, teaching and learning.