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Online Reference Resources

OWL offers expansive access to online resources for our patrons. The list below will give you direct access to a wealth of information. 

BUSINESS AND FINANCE 

  • Consumer Reports
  • CT Business & Industry
    • CBIA is the leading voice for business in the state, representing thousands of member companies, small and large, across a diverse range of industries. The CBIA offers valuable resources, information, and professional assistance, sharing expertise and best practices across a broad range of issues to help companies compete, grow, and succeed. Innovative, high-value products and member services, including insurance and employee benefits, business and HR resources, energy purchasing solutions, and more.
  • CT Department of Labor
    • The Connecticut Department of Labor is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers.The website has available resources for individuals to gather information regarding unemployment benefits, resources for job seekers and employers. Discover labor market information and how to remain competitive in the current economy.
  • Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
    • The Chamber of Commerce is the oldest business organization in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. Chamber works to promote economic growth while enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Connecticut. Through the website, users can find resources such as the economic, educational, cultural and civic opportunities available within Northwest Connecticut.

GENEALOGY & LOCAL HISTORY

  • Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA)
    • The digital collections feature materials from the Connecticut State Library, the Museum of Connecticut History, and the Connecticut State Archives. Connecticut Digital Collections presents a collection of historical photographs, maps, manuscripts, oral histories, and more from Connecticut libraries, museums, and historical societies. Remote access for Connecticut public libraries and their card holders.
  • Connecticut Historical Society
    • Find authoritative information for collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Connecticut.
  • Connecticut State Library History & Genealogy Resources
    • The state’s comprehensive online reference resource will assist with searches related to genealogy, history, legal and environmental archives, all related to the state and the people who have lived in it. Remote access for Connecticut public libraries and their card holders.
  • Family Search
    • Discover your family’s history through the largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.
  • Historical Hartford Courant (1764-1922)
    • This historical newspaper provides an online, easily-searchable first-hand account and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society, and events of 1764 through 1922. Remote access for Connecticut public libraries and their card holders.
  • Litchfield Architectural Surveys
    • Live in the historical districts in Litchfield, Bantam or Milton? Researching family homes in the area? The University of Connecticut’s architectural surveys have been digitized for you to research online the oldest home for Litchfield Borough (391 properties), Bantam and Milton (215 properties), Milton (61 properties) and Northfield (117 properties).
  • Litchfield Historical Society
    • Explore the history of the town of Litchfield, Connecticut through dynamic exhibits, diverse programs, growing collections, and innovative research found at the Litchfield Historical Society.
    • At the Helga J. Ingraham Memorial Library, the Genealogy Collection includes over 250 volumes of family histories, 500 family surname files, an index to birth, marriage and death records, and copies of church vital records. Genealogists have also found the Society’s manuscript collections useful for their research. The Society’s collections are strongest for the town of Litchfield, though we do have some materials pertaining to other towns in the county
    • The Ingraham Memorial Library houses information about Litchfield’s 280 years of growth and change as reflected through the papers, publications, photographs, and ephemera of local residents, homes, businesses, institutions and organizations. The Library also serves as the official repository for the records of many local institutions including the Garden Club, the Litchfield Red Cross, the Junior Women’s Club and the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Chapter of the DAR.
  • Connecticut’s Notable Trees Project
    • Established in 1985, the Notable Trees Project collects and offers information about Connecticut’s largest and most historic trees, both native and introduced. The online database includes records of 3458 individual trees in the state. Information can be found for each tree which includes size, location, ownership, and condition.

GOVERNMENT

  • Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries
    • The Law Library System of the Connecticut Judicial Branch will provide prompt professional guidance, access to reliable and comprehensive information to individuals who are researching or pursuing legal and remedies.
  • CountyOffice.org
    • Search and locate information on government offices in your county.
  • ImmigrationHelp.org
    • A legal-aid nonprofit founded at Harvard University with the goal of helping low-income immigrants prepare their immigration forms online for free. They provide pro bono help with work permits, DACA, and citizenship applications, as well as an online learning center of educational guides to the immigration process.
  • Interactive Connecticut State Register and Manual
    • A valuable resource and reference tool for anyone interested in the State of Connecticut and its government. Available in this resource is information on local, county, state and U.S. government and branches as well as historical information from past publications.
  • Litchfield.bz
    • Stay informed with current Litchfield’s news, sports, activities, arts, schools, businesses, community, and town government.
  • Project Vote Smart
    • Research and look up the background and records of political candidates and elected officials to discover their voting records, campaign contribution, public statements, biographical data (including their work history), and evaluations of them.
  • State of Connecticut
    • The official site for the state of Connecticut.
  • THOMAS (Library of Congress)
    • Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. It provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public.
  • Town of Litchfield
    • The Town of Litchfield’s official website.

HEALTH

  • Connecticut Physician Profiles
    • The Department of Public Health on the State of Connecticut’s official website allows you to search for licensing information and background history on Connecticut physicians.
  • Department of Public Health
    • Information on keeping Connecticut healthy. Through the Connecticut Department of Public Health website you find what services and programs, regulation & licensure, vital records, up to date news, statistics and research, publications and forms.
  • Medline Plus
    • Authoritative information from the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies and health-related organizations. Easy access to medical journal articles, extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news.

  • Litchfield Historical Society
    • The Litchfield Historical Society is dedicated to representing the history of the town of Litchfield, Connecticut through dynamic exhibits, diverse programs, growing collections, and innovative research.
  • Litchfield Community Center
    • The Litchfield Community Center is a non-profit organization serving Litchfield and the surrounding communities of Connecticut.
  • Litchfield Public Schools
    • Provides information about the Litchfield Public School system, consisting of the Center School, the Intermediate School, the Middle School, and the High School.
  • Town of Litchfield
    • The Town of Litchfield’s official website.

NEWSPAPERS

  • researchIT CT - Newspapers
    • researchIT CT provides free, full-text coverage of leading newspapers such as Hartford Courant, Historical Hartford Courant, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Remote access for Connecticut public libraries and their card holders.
  • Associated Press Photo Archive
    • AP Images provides access to the world’s largest collections of historical and contemporary photographs.

READER’S ADVISORY

  • BookPage
    • Need help finding a good read? Reviews and recommendations. Print edition is also available at the library.
  • Book Lovers Newsletter
    • By subscribing you will receive biweekly reading recommendations that link directly to our catalog, so you can place a hold quickly and easily from the comfort of your home. These are themed lists of curated titles your librarians at OWL want you to know about. Get the inside scoop from OWL staff and expand your reading horizons. Sign up now!
  • New York Times Book Review
    • Weekday and Sunday offers book reviews, best seller lists and insights into new books.
  • Wowbrary
    • How would you like to get advance notice of popular titles coming to OWL? Join our Wowbrary weekly E-Newsletter and always be in the know and at the top of the list!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • PLANTS Database
    • The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories. The resource offers plant identification and classification from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture including color photographs, fact sheets and guides.