E-Resources
Audiobooks, E-books, and More
DATEBASES AND ONLINE RESOURCES
Below is a list of online databases available for research/instruction. If you have questions about the databases, contact the Library at director@rochesterlibrary.org. Please note some databases are accessible only at the Rochester Library.
Book Recommendation Tools
Are you looking for your next book but don’t have any titles in mind? Why not try one of these book recommendation totals to find your next favorite read?
Goodreads is a multi-purpose social media network designed for readers that lets you connect to your favorite authors and other readers who share your taste in books. Use it to keep track of the books you’ve read and those you’d like to read, to get recommendations based on the books you already like, and even enter giveaways to win free books! Be sure to join the Rochester Public Library’s Goodreads group, Rochester Reads!
WhichBook is a fun book recommendation tool that lets you search for books that have certain qualities, like whether they are unusual, optimistic, long, or funny. Use the sliders on the website to select how much of a characteristic you would like a book to have (EX: a book that’s very sad vs a book that’s only slightly sad). You can also customize your search to find books set in specific locations and/or that have specific character types.
(Note: Because the site is linked to the British library system, the “borrow” link on the website will not work for our library system. If you find a book you like, you are more than welcome to search for it in our card catalog, or to ask Library staff to request it for you).
Stop, You’re Killing Me is a massive online database designed for readers who love mysteries, thrillers, and other types of suspense novels. Use it to find award-winning mystery books, search for books set in particular time periods, or to find a particular genre of suspense books (like paranormal, humorous mysteries, or mysteries inspired by Sherlock Holmes).
Online database of over 5,000 historical fiction titles organized by period, region, and author. Also includes a separate section dedicated to YA historical fiction.
Book Recommendation Lists
The Guardian “Top 10 Books about…” lists:
Each week, the Guardian publishes a list of their top 10 book recommendations on different subjects/from different genres. Past topics include “Top 10 books about Italy”, “Top 10 Novels about civil wars”, and “Top 10 literary frenemies”.
Time Magazine’s “100 Best Books of All TIME”
List Challenges’ “50 Books to Read Before You Die”
Goodreads Listopia: Another feature of Goodreads is their book lists service, which lets users create lists of books about specific topics/genres, like “Best contemporary romance novels” or “Espionage“. There are lists of books for nearly every conceivable topic and reading taste, so if you’re looking for something specific this is a good place to start.
Genealogical and Historical Resources
The Library no longer offers the genealogical databases Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest for patron use. In lieu of these services, to assist patrons interested in doing genealogical research the Library has created a guide to different local history and genealogy resources in the Springfield area. The guide also contains information on free online genealogy databases, and will be available in the Library as well as on our website (rochesterlibrary.org/
HistoryPin is a digital archive of historical photos and other content. Through HistoryPin, users can see old photos that have been “pinned” to Google Maps and do side-by-side comparisons of historical photos and their present-day locations. The Library’s HistoryPin collection showcases Rochester history, and we encourage patrons to contribute to the project.
Government, Business, and Education Resources
If you are new to computers, haven’t used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, Digital Learn has the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.
Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (PDF)
Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals (PDF)
Form 1040EZ, Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents (PDF)
Resources for:
Job Seeking:
Offered through the Illinois Department of Job Security
Employment and Small Business Skill-Building:
Offered through the Springfield SCORE Association
Professional Certification:
Offered through Illinois workNet
Business development:
Offered through LLCC’s Business Training Center
Online career testing:
Offered through the Sangamon County Department of Community Resources