502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, NJ 07869-3799
Tel: 973.989.7100 • Fax: 973.989.7076

Randolph Township Free Public Library

Library: Online Resources

Websites—Literature through Travel & Geography

More suggestions for websites that are reliable and valuable resources for your Internet searches. Click on a subject heading to reveal the related websites.

Literature

General

  • Author-ized!
    All about authors, including videos, BCCLS-hosted interviews, and more.
  • Bloom’s Literature (InfoBase Learning)
    Information about authors, works of literature, and literary characters. Library card number required.
  • Book Clubbing
    Your book club kickstarter - author bios, Q&A, book recommendations, and more!
  • Contemporary Authors (Gale)
    Author biographies and criticism, specifically on contemporary authors. Library card number required.
  • Gale Literary Index
    The index combines and cross-references more than 130,000 author names, including pseudonyms and variant names, and more than 140,000 titles. Library card number required.
  • Literary Reference Center (EBSCO)
    Information about authors, works of literature and literary characters, as well as definitions of literary terms and movements, and images of authors. Also includes streaming full-length videos of nearly 100 famous productions of classic plays. Library card number required.
  • NY Times Bestsellers
    Weekly best-selling titles posted by the New York Times.
  • Newark Public Library Guide to Literary Analysis and Criticism
    A selection of authoritative websites for those looking for literary criticism.
  • Novelist (EBSCO)
    Suggestions for fiction reading, including award-winning book lists, discussion guides, recommended reading lists, and more. Library card number required.
  • Novelist for K-8 (EBSCO)
    Suggestions for children’s fiction reading, selected by school media specialists and children’s librarians at NoveList.
  • Poetry and Short Story Reference Center (EBSCO)
    This full-text database provides a historically rich collection of hundreds of thousands of classic and contemporary poems, as well as short stories, biographies and authoritative essays on such topics as poetic forms, movements and techniques—including contemporary content from the finest publishers. Library card number required.
  • Salem Literature
    Access Critical Insights: Authors with articles about Ernest Hemingway, Barbara Kingsolver, and Mark Twain, and Critical Insights: Works, including articles about Death of a Salesman, Dracula, The Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird and many more!

Writing

eBooks & Texts

  • Academy of American Poets
    Poem-a-day, texts, videos, essays, and teaching materials.
  • Folger Digital Texts
    Read or download the accurate Folger Shakespeare with notes, synopses. Attractive and searchable. Includes the Complete Shakespeare plays and poetry.
  • Google Books
    Search books that are no longer covered by copyright, or the publisher has given permission for inclusion. The result might be a preview of the book, and in some cases the entire text. If it’s in the public domain, you’re free to download a PDF copy.
  • Internet Archive
    Offers more than 15,000,000 freely downloadable books and texts. They also encourage our global community to contribute physical items, as well as uploading digital materials directly to the Internet Archive.
  • Letters of Note
    A compulsive collection of the world’s most entertaining, inspiring and powerful letters. Includes letters by Michelangelo, Salvador Dali, Martin Scorsese, Henry Matisse, Mick Jagger, Vincent van Gogh & many more.
  • ManyBooks
    Books that can be read on most of the reading platforms like eReaders, Kindle, iPads, and Nooks.
  • Open Culture
    One of the best free cultural and educational media on the web. Lots of ebooks, classes, movies, documentaries and much more!
  • Open Library
    Read or download classic or modern ebooks. This site aims to catalog every available digital book in the world.
  • Project Gutenberg
    Project Gutenberg offers over 46,000 free ebooks: choose among free epub books, free kindle books, download them or read them online.
  • Project Gutenberg Australia
    Check this site for items not available on the American version, such as George Orwell’s 1984 and “Animal Farm,” and Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.

Updated April 2021

Music

General

Rock

Country

Classical

Jazz

World Music

Free Printable Sheet Music in the Public Domain

Updated October 2020

Parenting

  • American Psychological Association - Parenting Resources
    Resources on parenting practices.
  • Attachment Parenting International
    An organization that supports attachment parenting, and gives information and tools regarding concepts and insights on attachment parenting.
  • Babycenter
    Expert advice on pregnancy and parenting topics.
  • Breastfeeding
    Information and resources about breastfeeding from the Office on Women’s Health.
  • Child Development
    Resources provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Child Welfare Information Gateway
    A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that provides access to print and electronic publications, websites, databases, and online learning tools for improving child welfare practice, including resources that can be shared with families.
  • FARE: Food Allergy Research and Education
    An organization dedicated to food allergy research, that provides resources regarding food allergies.
  • Healthy Children
    Health resources provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics and member physicians.
  • Human Rights Commission - Explore: Parenting
    Current resources that address the many potential paths to parenthood as well as tools for issues facing LGBTQ-headed families or LGBTQ youth.
  • Kids Health
    The Parenting section of the #1 most-visited website for children’s health and development.
  • National Center for Fathering
    Nonprofit organization that provides training, tools and resources to inspire and equip fathers and father figures to be actively engaged in their children’s lives. Their website provides articles and videos on a number of topics related to fatherhood. Also, available sign up for weekly emails that offer fathering tips, ideas and inspiration.
  • National Stepfamily Resource Center
    The NSRC, a division of Auburn University’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families (CCYF), serves as a clearinghouse of information, linking family science research on stepfamilies and best practices in work with couples and children in stepfamilies.
  • New Jersey Parent Caucus
    Trainings for parents and caregivers of youth with special emotional and behavioral needs.
  • NJ Parent Link
    This website highlights NJ State services and resources for parents. Some Federal and Community resources are included.
  • Parent Toolkit
    An NBC News - Education Nation production designed as a “toolkit to help you navigate your child’s journey from pre-kindergarten through high school. It is a parenting website designed to help you track and support progress at each stage.”
  • Parenting
    The website for US based Parents Magazine - this parenting website has articles and message boards ranging from pre-natal to preK with a vast range of relevant topics and quality writers. It’s fresh and easy to navigate.
  • Parenting Counts
    Provides a developmental timeline and videos to support families and caregivers in raising socially and emotionally healthy children.
  • Planned Parenthood - For Parents
    Resources for talking to children of all ages about bodies, identity, pregnancy and reproduction, relationships, personal safety, and sex and sexuality.
  • SPAN - Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (NJ)
    Information and resources for families with the greatest need due to disability or special health/mental health needs; poverty; discrimination based on race, sex, language, immigrant or homeless status; involvement in the foster care, child welfare, or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances.
  • StopBullying.gov
    Information for parents on preventing bullying.
  • Today’s Parent
    A great website that offers parents advice, ideas and support!
  • Youth.gov
    Government website that provides resources and information on a number of youth related topics such as bullying prevention, driver safety and mental health.

Updated October 2020

Performing Arts

General

  • New Jersey Arts Council: Resources
    Provides links to national and regional resources, New Jersey state and local resources, county arts agencies, and other related organizations.

Free Movie & TV Streaming

  • Crackle
    Video entertainment network featuring full-length movies, TV shows, and original programming.
  • Crunchyroll
    Streaming anime, manga and dorama.
  • Pluto TV
    Thousands of movies and TV shows.
  • Popcornflix
    Over 1,500 movies, plus TV shows.
  • Tubi TV
    Thousands of movies and TV shows.
  • Watch TV from the 1990s
    Many shows available for this decade.

General Film & TV

  • Common Sense Media
    Offers reviews and recommendations for parents on all types of media.
  • IndieWire
    Film and television news, reviews, interviews, global festival coverage and more.
  • Internet Movie Database
    Comprehensive details on movies, actors, directors, etc.
  • Kids in Mind
    Gives details on violence, sexuality, language, and drug use in films, allowing parents to make informed decisions on what their children can watch.
  • Metacritic
    Aggregator of reviews for movies, TV, music, and games into a single rating or metascore. Individual professional and lay reviews available, as well as new and upcoming releases, and release dates.
  • Rotten Tomatoes
    A critical view of movies.
  • Screen Junkies
    Screen Junkies is an online movie magazine and YouTube channel, owned and operated by Defy Media, that focuses on movies and television.

Theater

  • Broadway
    Tickets and information on Broadway and major Off-Broadway shows.
  • Curtain Up
    The Internet theater magazine of reviews, features, annotated listings, on line since 1996.
  • Discover Jersey Arts
    A central clearinghouse of information on the New Jersey cultural scene, including an event search for programs of all sorts within the state.
  • Fun New Jersey: NJ Theater and Play Information
    Comprehensive and complete up-to-date information about NJ playhouses and NJ theatre.
  • Internet Broadway Database (IBDB)
    Official database for Broadway theatre information. Provides records of productions from the beginnings of New York theatre until today.
  • Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
    Presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey.
  • New Jersey Theatre Alliance
    Professional and community theatres throughout NJ.
  • Playbill
    News, features, performance listings for Broadway, Off-Broadway, London and regional theatre.
  • Show Score
    Theater reviews for fans by fans.
  • Theater Development Fund (TDF)
    Become A TDF Member. Find out if you’re eligible for deep discounts on theatre, dance and music.

Updated October 2020

Pets & Animals

General

  • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
    Dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty in the United States.
  • Animal Planet
    A spot to stop and learn more about Animal Planet’s educationally based animal shows. Also includes information on pet care.
  • Big Cat Rescue
    An animal sanctuary in Hillsborough County, Florida, which rescues and houses exotic cats, and rehabilitates injured or orphaned native wild cats.
  • The Dodo
    Showcases videos and stories about pets and wild animals.
  • The Elephant Sanctuary
    The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for African and Asian elephants.
  • The Humane Society of the United States
    Focuses on stopping animal cruelty.
  • Nat Geo Wild
    One of the most popular sources for animal programming. Largely reality tv based, they offer a myriad of programming appealing to all ages. Some of their most popular shows are easily accessed through the Nat Geo Wild YouTube page.
  • People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
    One of the leading voices in animal activism.
  • The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
    Operates an orphan elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation program in Kenya.
  • Wild Earth
    WildEarth is a South African broadcasting company primarily based at a game reserve in South Africa, focusing on educating people about African wildlife. It includes a daily live safari and lots of animal videos.
  • World Animal News
    Current news about the animal advocacy community.
  • World Wildlife Fund
    An international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation.

Pet Adoption

  • Adopt-a-Pet
    Works with humane societies, shelters, rescue organizations, adoption groups, SPCA groups and individuals looking to re-home their pets.
  • Petfinder
    Connects high quality, waiting to be adopted pets with new homes and owners. Provides an easily searchable database for patrons to network with over 14,000 adoption agencies and pet shelters.
  • Randolph Regional Animal Shelter
    Handles animal control for Randolph, Dover, and Rockaway Borough. Provides animals for adoption.

Pet Care & Training

  • Bring Fido
    One of the most comprehensive dog travel directories around and has helped over half of a million people travel successfully with their pet.
  • The Cat Site
    Focuses on educating its readers on cat care and promoting the welfare of their feline friends.
  • Cornell College Partners in Animal Health
    Run by faculty and animal experts affiliated with Cornell University. The site is lauded for its educational materials for veterinarians and pet owners.
  • Dogster
    Educates, informs, and encourages visitors on how to best care for their dog.
  • Dogtime
    Covers all things dog including current events in canine culture to advice and insight.
  • PetMD
    A massive compilation of pet health and wellness knowledge.
  • VetStreet
    Connects pet owners with high quality veterinary care and provides owners with the tools and education to create a happy, healthy and lasting relationship with their pets.

Updated October 2020

Science/Technology

General

  • All About Birds
    Online guide to birds and bird watching. Includes ID tips, sound and video for over 200 species.
  • Animal Diversity Web
    Includes general information about all species of the animal kingdom.
  • Extreme Science
    World records of science. The biggest, baddest and best and the science behind each.
  • How Stuff Works
    Explains thousands of topics including science, technology, and electronics.
  • GCF Learn Free: Computers
    Online tutorials for learning computer basics from the Goodwill Community Foundation.
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
    Current information and news about space missions, past and present. Includes images, video and interactive features.
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Information on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere, climate and weather.
  • Nature.com
    Online magazine covering a wide range of science and medical topics. Browse by topic or by publication.
  • Periodic Table
    Periodic table with user-friendly data and facts about each of the elements.
  • Science Online
    This database offers a broad range of scientific disciplines, organized by subject area and type of resource. Also includes over 1,150 science experiments and activities, arranged by grade range, subject, and time required. Library card number required.
  • U.S. Geological Survey
    Information on the health of our ecosystems and natural resources.
  • Wolfram MathWorld
    An extensive mathematics resource.

News

  • Live Science
    News articles and reviews on science topics in the natural and technological worlds.
  • New Scientist
    Science news and articles on space, technology, health, economics and genetics from the New Scientist magazine.
  • Popular Science
    Reporting on what’s new and next in technology, science, gadgets, space, green tech, and more.
  • SciCentral
    Reliable and timely free science information in the biosciences, health sciences, physics/chemistry, earth and space, and engineering.
  • Science Daily
    Breaking news and articles in science and technology.

Journals

  • arXiv.org
    Open access collection of scholarly articles about physics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative biology and other topics maintained by Cornell University Library.
  • Green File
    Well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact on the environment. Library card number required.
  • Science Direct
    In physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, health sciences and social sciences from Elsevier. Includes open access articles.

Updated October 2020

Seniors

  • AARP
  • Administration on Aging
  • CreativeBug
    Has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
  • National Senior Citizens Law Center
  • Retired Brains
    Provides the best retirement advice for senior citizens, baby boomers and retirees including retirement planning, jobs after retirement and more.
  • RetireWOW
    Celebrates the senior new to retirement.
  • Senior Living
    Get expert advice on all things senior living - from senior housing and safety, to money, health and care.
  • Senior Planet
    Aging with attitude! Courses, programs and activities to help seniors learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends.
  • Sixty and Me
    An online magazine about life after 60. Topics range from makeup for older women and senior dating to retirement advice and senior travel.
  • Skillful Senior
    A computer skills site which focuses on navigation skills. The site has animated interactive tutorials with voiceover instructions to make learning fun and easy. Skillful Senior covers basic skills, like how to use a mouse, the arrow keys on the keyboard, and how to touch-type.
  • Social Security Administration
  • Suddenly Senior
    Humor, nostalgia, senior advocacy and useful information for seniors 50+.

Updated October 2020

Taxes

Updated October 2020

Travel & Geography

Travel

  • CDC Travel Advisories
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives advice on vaccines, as well as disease prevention tips for different countries.
  • Conde Naste Traveler
    Get the latest travel news, guides, tips and ideas. See photos and slideshows of the most beautiful places, best vacation spots and places to visit.
  • Flight Stats
    FlightStats provides definitive information for approximately 99.5% of U.S. flights, and better than 86% of flights worldwide.
  • Fodor’s Travel
    In depth travel guides for worldwide destinations. Includes photo galleries and blog.
  • Frommer’s
    All inclusive destination guides including travel news and deals.
  • Hostelling International USA
    Non-profit group that promotes hostelling.
  • Hotel Guides
    View maps and get directions.
  • Lonely Planet
    All encompassing travel planner with themed travel and forums.
  • Passports
    US Department of State website with information about passports and visas.
  • Saving Places
    Discover historic places visit and help preserve.
  • Smarter Travel
    Chock full of information about traveling and travel destinations.
  • State Department Travel Warnings
    Features travel warnings and alerts from the State Department about travel to other countries based on short and long term political, crime, health, or other issues.
  • Trip Advisor
    Popular website for vacation planning with the most comprehensive traveler written hotel reviews and rankings. Has links to partner sites for comparative pricing and mobile app.
  • Universal Currency Converter
    Provides the conversion for different types of currency.

Geography

Updated October 2020

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