Websites for library members

We provide access to library members to a number of subscription websites. Some of these can be accessed from your home, whilst others are only available on computers in our libraries.

Websites accessible from your home

Birmingham Ancestry

Records provided by Archives and Collections relating to Birmingham are available access at home on Ancestry. You do not need library membership to access this service. Ancestry Institution can only be accessed via a library.

British Library 19th century newspapers collections

A wide range of news articles from local and regional newspapers that reflect the social, political, and cultural events of the nineteenth century. This collection illuminates diverse and distinct regional attitudes and cultures of the period.
You will need a Birmingham library membership number to access this service from home.

Birmingham Talking Newspapers for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Each week volunteers select and record news from local papers and magazine stories of general interest. Also included is a U3A history talk.

COBRA

COBRA includes information for businesses on start-up, legal, employment, marketing, exporting, finance, health and safety, plus exhibitions and events and many useful links in the Local Area Profile.
You will need a Birmingham library membership number to access this service from home.

GALE ONEFILE News and Reference Powersearch

A wide searchable database of current articles and modern content from local and national newspapers, magazines, journals and reference books. A great resource for home study. Includes full text, image and video content.
You will need a Birmingham library membership number to access this service from home.

Go Citizen

Help with 'Life in the UK' test and British citizenship tests.
You will need a Birmingham library membership number to access this service from home.

Government Information

A wealth of government information and official publications can be found and freely viewed at:

• GOV.UK
• the Welsh government's website
• the Northern Ireland Assembly's website
• the Scottish government's website

Theory Test Pro

Prepare for your Driving Theory Test with this online test site. If you are experiencing difficulty accessing this site through Internet Explorer, try a different web browser, for example Firefox or Google Chrome.
You will need a Birmingham library membership number to access this service from home.

Websites accessible only from computers in our libraries

Access To Research

Free, searchable access to a wide range of academic articles and research. Subjects include art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences.

Only one printed copy of an article allowed for research purposes.

Ancestry Institution

Trace your family history using records from England, Scotland and Wales censuses from 1841 to 1911, birth, marriage and death records and UK parish and probate record.

Which?Online

Available at the Library of Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Library. Ask staff members to log you into the site.

Page last updated: 11 March 2025