Online Reference Resources
If you are a member of Shetland Library, you can use our 24 Hour Library online resources, for free, anytime.
Why do I need the 24 Hour Library?
We often use Google, Bing, or other search engines to find information online. This is very useful, but sometimes the information you need is not available free. or you may be unsure of its accuracy. Often your search results can provide information which is out of date, or just wrong! This is why we still need these high quality reference publications, and why the Library provides them for you..
To use these sites on your own computer, enter your library card number on their log-in pages.
New for November 2023! Need to find the right words? Oxford Dictionaries online provides help with grammar, definitions, a thesaurus and much more. All you need is your library card number.
The National Library of Scotland offers access to over a 100 online resources to help anyone who lives in Scotland. These resources include thousands of books, reports, newspapers and journals, plus much more. It includes popular resources like the Oxford English Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and JSTOR. To use the resources available when not at the National Library you will need to join the Library by filling out a quick online form.
The National Library of Scotland has a team of dedicated reference librarians with a wealth of high quality resources at hand, and will be able to assist with a wide range of questions.
Please visit to post your question or to find out more.
If you would like to research using newspapers online see Access Global Newsbank on our eBook page.
Students, independent researchers and small businesses can now access many of the world’s best academic papers through the library for free. This resource can only be used at the library.
Primary school children will be entertained & educated by this resource, with games, videos & talking articles.
For children aged 10-14, with information at their level with journals, videos & more available.
The best known encyclopedia in the world, for ages 15 and above. Includes multimedia material unavailable in printed format.
Free to Shetland Library members this is an online study resource for candidates preparing for the Life in the UK test or British citizenship test
Original Sources from World History, containing 350000 texts & 5000 full books. Perfect for historical, legal, scientific or religious enquiries.
Original Sources by Britannica
This site provides access to over 300,000 images, movies and sounds from museums, galleries, archives and the media.
Pass your driving test with Shetland Library. Online practice theory tests, hazard perception simulations and the Highway Code..
Have you read all the books by your favourite author and are looking for something new to try? This site can provide you with a list of similar authors whose books you might enjoy. You'll need the number on your borrower card to log in. You will also need to add ‘SHL-‘ before your number.
For example, if your borrower number is 0000055555555, you will need to type in: SHL-0000055555555