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 Often your search results can provide information which is out of date, or just wrong!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.
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.
You can now access thousands of clips and shows from the archives of the British Film Institute in the library.
Perfect for homework, research and reminiscing, you will find everything from vintage news clips, to documentaries, talk shows, kids tv and more.
BFI Replay is only accessible from our computer rooms. All you need is your library log in for the PCs and your headphones. The link to the player will be on the main browser.
Primary school children will be entertained & educated by this resouce, with games, videos & talking articles.
For children aged 10-14, with information at their level with journals, videos & more available.
The British Newspaper Archive collections contain most of the runs of newspapers published in the UK since 1800.
You can search over 100,000 pages Shetland Times (1872 - 2000) and Shetland News (1885 - 1963) by issue, date, or keyword.
To search this archive for free, you need to register for an account and use the library computers to perform your search.
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
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.
Original Sources from World History, containing 350000 texts & 5000 full books. Perfect for historical, legal, scientific or religious enquiries.
Original Sources by Britannica
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