Database and Resource Spotlight

African-American History (Infobase): Watch video on YouTube

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) offers a variety of educational resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 from home. In this tutorial, learn how to access the African-American History research database, with a Fort Bend County library card, through FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us).

Covering more than 500 years of the African-American experience, this authoritative resource enables library patrons to explore the full spectrum of African-American history and culture.

Students can delve deeply into a variety of topics, examine different perspectives, and access historical tablet/mobile-friendly videos that bring history to life. This resource includes a substantial collection of primary sources, images, biographies of key people, original maps and charts, and much more.

The biographies listed under “Featured People” include collections of articles on civil rights activists, trailblazing military and political figures, abolition leaders, Harlem Renaissance intellectuals and activists, major musicians and artists, leading scientists, accomplished athletes, and influential writers.

Full citations are available throughout the resource, and users can print, copy, and save to a folder all content for personal use.

The Curriculum Tools section includes writing and research tips for students and educators, including advice on analyzing and understanding primary sources, editorial cartoons, and online resources. Guides for presenting research include instruction on citing sources, avoiding plagiarism, completing a primary-source worksheet, summarizing articles, and writing research papers.

BRAINFUSE ONLINE HOMEWORK HELP: Watch Video on YouTube

Homework got your children down? Get live online homework help through your library! Fort Bend County Libraries presents an online tutorial demonstrating the Brainfuse Homework-Tutoring program. You must have a Fort Bend County Libraries card to access this service.

This tutorial will demonstrate how to access this homework resource from home through the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), and how to take advantage of the services it offers. Fort Bend County Libraries’ Brainfuse HelpNow (Homework Tutoring) program enables the library system to provide online homework assistance in a broad range of subjects in both English and Spanish for students in grades K through 12, free of charge.

This tutoring program is an Internet-based service that provides library patrons with live, on-demand homework help, seven days a week, from 2:00 to 11:00 pm. There is no time limit to the sessions. Certified tutors are experienced in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English/Language Arts. If live, real-time assistance is not needed, students may also submit questions any time of the day or night, and emailed responses will arrive within 24 hours.

Math tutors assist with basic skills, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, while science tutors are versed in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth-science subjects. Social studies tutors cover American history, world history, and political science. English/language arts instructors provide help with writing, reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary skills, as well as help in English literature. Tutors are also able to assist with Advanced Placement (AP) subjects and introductory college courses.

The program includes a 24-hour writing lab, which allows students to submit papers online to trained writing instructors at any time; students receive feedback within 24 hours. Writing experts evaluate the submitted paper and provide constructive comments with the aim of helping students become better writers.

In addition to homework help, the homework tutoring program offers a SkillSurfer skills-building section in which students may receive additional exercises to help them master the concepts being taught in their homework lessons. Skills-building lessons involve one-to-one sessions with live instructors. These tutors utilize a library of field-tested, state-aligned lessons, including age-appropriate content, reading passages, simulated test questions, and worksheets to help students master key academic areas.

Click here for a tutorial on Brainfuse's SkillSurfer section.

Data Axle

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Reference Solutions (also known as ReferenceUSA) database is a national residential and business directory, perfect for finding new customers or researching an industry. The business listings are comprised of more than 65 million US business records, 297 million US Historical business records, and 4 million New Business records (a total of more than 356 million US business records). Also included are more than 2.5 million job postings, 297 million consumer records in Consumer Lifestyle, 1.8 million Canadian Business records, 1.2 million Healthcare records, and 15 million New Movers/Homeowners records. 

The detailed company information includes company name, address, phone, executive contact name and title, employee size, sales volume, SIC codes, NAICS codes, credit ratings, business type, location type, news information, 10-K’s, and more. With 45 customized search options and downloading and printing capabilities, users can create lists for marketing, building a business plan, researching career opportunities, and much more. Users have the ability to download and print the lists.

FLIPSTER EMAGAZINES

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Patrons of Fort Bend County Libraries can get instant access to popular magazines online through the libraries’ Flipster® service from EBSCO Information Services. Flipster is a next-generation magazine service that allows people to browse digital versions of the latest issues of popular magazines for adults, teens, and children, courtesy of the library.

Flipster magazines are full-print, full-color digital duplicates of the hardcopy print magazine, and library cardholders can access them remotely through the Fort Bend County Libraries website, www.fortbend.lib.tx.us.

The libraries’ collection includes more than 65 popular titles. Selections such as Forbes, Essence, Car & Driver, Highlights, Zoobooks, Comics & Gaming Magazine, and much more are available.

Magazines can be read online on a computer or downloaded to smartphones or tablets, including Android™ phones and tablets, Apple® phones and tablets, and Kindle Fire tablets, for offline reading anytime, anywhere on a free Flipster app that can be downloaded from the Apple App or Google Play stores.

Flipster provides an easy-to-use, browse-able reading experience. An online newsstand provides a carousel of the most recent issues in various categories, and many magazines provide access to back issues as well.

The collection can be accessed 24/7, and there is no limit to the number of magazines that can be downloaded. There will never be overdue fines for Flipster magazines because the digital file will automatically disappear after a predetermined length of time. A magazine that is published weekly can be downloaded for 2 days, and a magazine that is published monthly can be downloaded for one week.

To browse the Flipster collection of magazines, hover over “Books, eLibrary, and More” on the main menu and scroll down to “Download Magazines.”

GALE BIOGRAPHY IN CONTEXT

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Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of homework-assistance tools and educational resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 from home. In this tutorial, learn how to access the online resource, "Gale: Biography in Context," with a Fort Bend County library card, through Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us). This resource is a comprehensive database of biographical information on more than 185,000 people throughout history, around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas.

Hoopla: Watch video on YouTube

The hoopla digital streaming collection gives FBCL patrons free access to more than 100,000 e-books, 50,000 e-audiobooks, 11,000 movies, 2,000 television series containing more than 10,000 episodes, and 26,000 music albums, and more titles are being added daily. The selections include a wide variety of choices, from Hollywood blockbusters, bestselling artists, and authors to niche and hard-to-find titles.

These movies, music albums, and audiobooks can be streamed on mobile devices -- such as Androids, smartphones, and tablets -- by downloading the free “hoopla digital” mobile app from the App Store on the device. The items can also be accessed for instant streaming on PCs by clicking on the “hoopla” link in the eLibrary tab on the FBCL website.

Since the hoopla digital collection is available online, there is nothing to return to the library. At the end of the lending period, the item will automatically expire and disappear, so there are never any overdue fees for late returns. There is no waiting to borrow titles on hoopla digital since on-demand content can be enjoyed by multiple patrons simultaneously.

To begin using the hoopla digital-streaming resource, patrons will need to set up an online account. This can be done on their computer by clicking on the “hoopla” link on the FBCL website, or by downloading the app to their mobile device and completing the registration. The patron will be prompted to enter their library card number and pin, email address, and password to create a hoopla digital account. The library card account must be in good standing, with no overdue items or late fees.

Most movie and TV content is available for a lending period of 3 days. Music albums are available for 7 days, and audiobooks are available for 21 days. At the end of the lending period, the item will automatically expire and disappear, so there are never any overdue fees for late returns.

How to Get the Libby by OverDrive App: Watch video on YouTube

Exploring the Libby by OverDrive App: Watch video on YouTube

OverDrive is a service offered by Fort Bend County Libraries that gives cardholders a selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks to borrow at no cost. Digital items return automatically and there are never any late fees. In this video tutorial, learn how to find and download the Libby by OverDrive app to your mobile device.

Medline Plus: Watch video on YouTube

MedlinePlus is the National Library of Medicine's site for consumer-health information. In this database, you can find information on common diseases and conditions, dictionaries, and directories for finding healthcare professionals. A library card is not required to access the databases while inside the library, but users will need an FBCL card to access the databases when not in the library.

NEWSBANK: HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Watch Video on YouTube

Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of homework-assistance tools and educational resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 from home. In this episode, learn how to access the "Houston Chronicle" through "NewsBank World Access" with an FBCL library card.

This video tutorial will introduce FBCL's online resource “NewsBank World Access,” which provides a comprehensive collection of reliable news sources covering a wide array of topics and issues from around the world. Resources also include the Houston Chronicle and collected Special Reports on current events.

NEW YORK TIMES ONLINE: Watch Video on YouTube

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) offers free and unlimited access to "The New York Times" digital content to FBCL cardholders. The online version of the newspaper can be accessed from the FBCL website at any time of the day or night.

The online version of the newspaper can be found on FBCL’s main web page under the “Today’s Newspaper” icon. Library patrons can also find it under the “Research” tab by clicking “Digital Resources & Databases” and selecting “Magazines & Newspapers.”

NoveList Plus (EBSCO): Watch video on YouTube

Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of readers-advisory tools and resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 from home. In this video tutorial, FBCL staff demonstrate how to use the NoveList Plus online resource to get reading recommendations.

NoveList Plus is a comprehensive readers' search tool for fiction and nonfiction. Find read-alikes by author or series, or even search by appeal terms or reading level. With handy links to the FBCL catalog, NoveList Plus answers the question: What should I read next?

This resource is available on FBCL's website; a library card is required if accessing this resource outside the library.

How to use NovelList to find your next read: https://youtu.be/szG_pYkEZso

STAAR - TEA Student-Assessment Division

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The Texas Education Agency website includes previously released STAAR tests and information booklets that can be reviewed for future test-taking. This video demonstrates how to access the TEA website from the FBCL website, how to download tests, and more.

Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of homework-assistance tools and educational resources, some of which include practice tests for school or for career-readiness.

Transparent Language: Watch video on YouTube

Are you planning to visit a foreign country? Would you like to make yourself more marketable to an employer by being bilingual? Do you want to have an advantage on an international business trip by speaking the language of the country? Learning another language can have many benefits, and Fort Bend County Libraries’ (FBCL) “Transparent Language® Online” resource makes learning a new language easier than ever – and it’s free!

In this video, FBCL’s Adult Services staff member presents “Transparent Language® Online: Learning a Language Beyond Chapter 1." Learning a new language can be challenging, but retaining and using it in a conversational setting can be even more so.

Learn about the “placement test” feature that enables the user to jump past initial lessons to reach the section that is appropriate for their stage of learning. Discover two other features of this resource that can help the student retain and use the language skills they have learned.

About Transparent Language® Online

The Transparent Languages resource offers online courses for people who would like to learn a new language. The database includes more than 80 languages – from Afrikaans to Zulu – as well as ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for non-English speaking people who would like to learn English.

The English-language-assistance courses are available for people who speak Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Farsi, Hindi, Czech, Indonesian, Malay, Norwegian, Romanian, Swahili, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu, Russian, German, French, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Greek, Arabic, or Italian.

By using the libraries’ subscription to the service, library patrons are able to have free access to a resource for which they would otherwise have to pay.

Value Line: Watch video on YouTube

Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of business-reference tools and resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 from home. In this introductory video tutorial -- the first in a 5-part series -- FBCL staff provide an overview of how to obtain reliable, unbiased business information in the

Value Line database. Value Line provides accurate and insightful investment research on companies, industries, markets, and economies. From the latest data, sophisticated tools, and proven ranks to expert analysis and guidance, Value Line enables the user to evaluate investments with confidence and make smarter, more profitable decisions. The database includes publications covering information on stocks, mutual funds, options, and convertible securities, as well as special-situation stocks.

Links to the complete series:
Value Line Part 1: Introduction -- https://youtu.be/zBtxcv3np1E
Value Line Part 2: How to Get Started Investing -- https://youtu.be/ysqD4K1a6b4
Value Line Part 3: How to Get Commentaries -- https://youtu.be/pAX6gDLXWew
Value Line Part 4: How to Find Stock to Diversify -- https://youtu.be/4RKGaHKxCzY
Value Line Part 5: How to Find a Specific Stock -- https://youtu.be/jsD0JMyR85A

Weiss Financial Ratings: Watch video on YouTube

How do you know if your bank or credit union is financially stable? Did you pick the best life insurance or property-insurance company? Are you getting the best deal on your Medigap insurance? Which mutual fund will give you the best return? Which stocks are the best to choose?

Discover the answers to these questions and more with the Weiss Financial Ratings resource. An FBCL library card is required to access this resource outside of the library. 

Weiss Financial Ratings is designed to direct users toward safe banking and insurance options and strong investments, while helping avoid unnecessary risk that could lead to financial losses.

Weiss Financial Ratings provides accurate, independent ratings and financial-planning tools needed to make informed decisions about insurance, banking, and investment options.

Learn…

• How to find the safest bank or credit union in the area;
• How to avoid the weakest insurance companies… and how to find the best ones;
• What Medicare does and does not cover;
• How to pick the best Medigap plan and get the lowest premiums;
• How to find the best mutual funds… and make sure one’s retirement funds are safe;
• How to pick the best-performing stocks;
• And much more!

Creating a Personal Profile is optional, but doing so enables one to create a watchlist, get email notifications when companies on the watchlist are upgraded or downgraded, and save one’s customized search criteria.

Consumer Guides and a series of Financial-Literacy Basics are some of the tools available in the Weiss Financial Ratings resource.

Weiss Ratings Consumer Guides offer easy-to-use tools to help individuals navigate through nine important areas: homeowners’ insurance, automobile insurance, variable annuities, term life insurance, health savings accounts, long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare prescription drug coverage, and elder-care choices. 

Each easy-to-read, step-by-step guide is packed with accurate, unbiased information and recommendations from Weiss Ratings. The 50- to 70-page guides offer a narrative about the subject, what one should look for when choosing a plan or policy, recommended companies to work with, and so much more. 

Weiss Ratings Consumer Guides offer easy explanations for hard-to-navigate financial decisions, removing the guesswork and confusion with straight talk and sound guidance. Plus, each guide includes several helpful Worksheets & Planners to further aid the decision-making process.

The Financial-Literacy Basics series provides readers with easy-to-understand guidance on how to manage their finances. Designed for those who are just starting out and for those who may need help handling their finances, this series outlines -- step-by-step -- how to make the most of one’s money, which pitfalls to avoid, and what to watch out for. The guides provide the necessary tools to make sure one is fully equipped to manage one’s finances.

Filled with valuable information, alongside helpful worksheets and planners, these volumes are designed to point individuals in the right direction toward a solid financial future and give them helpful guidance along the way.

Topics include: 

• How to Manage Debt 
• How to Make and Stick to a Budget 
• Buying a Car and Understanding Automobile Insurance 
• Renting an Apartment and Understanding Renters’ Insurance 
• Calculating the Cost of College and Understanding Student Loans 
• How to Start a 401(K) 
• Understanding Health Insurance Plans 
• What to Know About Checking Accounts

Worldbook (Part 1): Watch video on YouTube

Worldbook (Part 2): Watch video on YouTube

Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of tools and resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 from home. In this video tutorial, FBCL staff demonstrate how to use the World Book Advanced online resource. This video is part 1 of a 2-part series. For Part 2 of the series, click here: https://youtu.be/L5V-EH-6OE8

World Book Encyclopedia offers articles, interactive maps, periodical articles, and much more. World Book Advanced includes expanded topics and world resources for additional understanding for adults and students in grades 9 and up.

An Introduction to Writers' Corner
A Writing & Publishing Tool 

PART 1: PRESSBOOKS
PART 2: INDIE AUTHOR PROJECT
PART 3: BIBLIOBOARDS

PRESSBOOKS PUBLIC: The first instrument in the suite of resources – PressBooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.

Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using PressBooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.

Creating a username and password is required for using the PressBooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the PressBooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the PressBooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.

When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.

INDIE AUTHOR PROJECT: The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with "Library Journal," this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.

Books that are not selected for "Library Journal’s" Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.

BIBLIOBOARD LIBRARY: The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.

Writers who create works in PressBooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.

Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.