ONLINE RESOURCES |
Your library membership gives you access to online resources that are free at the point of use. Information about these resources and how to sign in to them is available below.
Resources available include:
- Research resources
- Dictionaries and reference services
- News archives
- Resources to improve your English
- Help studying to pass IELTS
- Help studying to pass the UK Driving Theory Test
Research Resources
Access to Research
Access to Research gives free, walk-in access to over 15 million academic articles in participating public libraries across the UK.
Students and independent researchers can now access many of the world’s best academic papers from leading publishers who have made their journal content available for free.
Please note, this resource is only available on library PCs or your own device when connected to library WiFi.
Oxford Very Short Introductions
: Hundreds of Authoritative Introductions to Dozens of Subjects
This series offers concise introductions to a diverse range of subject areas from Climate to Consciousness, Game Theory to Ancient Warfare, and Privacy to Islamic History.
To sign in to Oxford Very Short Introductions type the letters SWI followed by your Swindon library card number into the 'sign in with your library card' box.
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
: Who would you like to meet today?
Explore the lives of people worldwide in this illustrated online collection of specially written biographies.
To sign in to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography type the letters SWI followed by your Swindon library card number into the 'sign in with your library card' box.
Oxford Research Encyclopedias : Reference Reimagined
Trustworthy articles in 25 disciplines, meant to be read in 30 minutes or less.
To sign in to Oxford Research Encyclopedias type the letters SWI followed by your Swindon library card number into the 'sign in with your library card' box.
Dictionaries and Reference Resources
Oxford Reference
: Answers with Authority
Find subject references, quotations, language dictionaries, award winning Oxford Companions and Encyclopedias, at the click of a button.
To sign in to Oxford Reference type the letters SWI followed by your Swindon library card number into the 'sign in with your library card' box.
Oxford English Dictionary : The Definitive Record of the English Language.
This resource is widely acknowledged to be the most authoritative and comprehensive record of the English language in the world, tracing the evolution and use of words.
To sign in to the Oxford English Dictionary type in the letters SWI followed by your Swindon library card number into the 'library card number' box.
Oxford Bibliographies
: Your best research starts here
Jump-start your research with expert recommendations on the best sources available for British and Irish literature, and Victorian literature.
To sign in to the Oxford Bibliographies type the letters SWI followed by your Swindon library card number into the 'sign in with your library card' box.
News Archives
The Times Digital Archive
An online, full-text facsimile of more than 200 years of The Times, one of the most highly regarded resources for eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth century news coverage.
To sign in to the Times Digital Archive enter your Swindon Library card number
British Pathe
Considered to be the finest newsreel archive in the world and is a treasure trove of 85,000 films unrivalled in their historical and cultural significance. Spanning the years from 1896 to 1978, the collection includes footage from around the globe of major events, famous faces, fashion trends, travel, science and culture.
The British Newspaper Archive
The British Newspaper Archive contains around three million pages of newspaper content. Search hundreds of millions of articles by keyword, name, location, date or title and watch your results appear in an instant.
Please note, this resource is currently only available in Swindon's five core libraries.
Develop Your English Language Skills
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
is the world's most popular English language test for higher education and global migration. Access the British Library's comprehensive study programme for free.
We offer two levels:
Academic Version: For those wishing to improve their level of English and are working towards entrance to university.
General Training Version: For those wishing to improve their level of English for employment and citizenship.
Study and Practice for the Life in the United Kingdom Test
Go Citizen is an online study resource for candidates preparing for the Life in the United Kinghdom test or the British citizenship test.
Access study materials and take practice tests to help you pass the Life in the United Kingdom test quickly and easily.
Study and Practice to Pass the UK Driving Theory Test
Theory Test Pro
Theory Test Pro is a highly realistic online simulation of the UK's driving theory tests for all vehicle categories. It contains all the official test questions licensed from the DVSA, the people who set the tests.
Create your own account for free using your name, email address and library card number.
