Alternative Resources

In August 2009, the provincial government announced a number of cuts to public libraries, including the end of the provincial database initiative: a program that paid for a "core" set of electronic resources at public libraries across the province. The result has been the loss of a number of both core and non-core databases from our collection. We've compiled a list of alternative resources that we hope will assist you.

The databases on the left are either no longer available, or will end soon. The resources on the right are listed as alternatives.

If you previously used...	Try...
Academic Search Premier	MasterFILE Premier. The library also subscribes to a number of periodicals in print format. If you're writing a paper or doing a project for school, librarians can also help you find alternative resources in other formats.
Ancestry	BPL's recommended websites for genealogy research.
Auto Repair Reference Center	AllData, available at Bob Prittie Metrotown and at McGill. BPL also has a large collection of automotive service manuals in print – ask for these at the reference desk on the second floor at Bob Prittie Metrotown.
Bloom's Literary Reference Online	BPL's recommended websites for literature research.
Business Source Premier	MasterFILE Premier contains a number of business magazines. Depending on the research you're doing, you might find our other business databases helpful: try Financial Post Investor Suite or Reference Canada.
Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA)	MasterFILE Premier. The library also subscribes to Canadian periodicals in print format, and has back issues of magazines available on microfiche. For business research, try Financial Post Investor Suite or Reference Canada.
Consumer Health Complete	Salem Health and HealthLink BC.
Encyclopedia of BC	Historica's Canadian Encyclopedia online, the BC Archives and BC Stats.
Global Issues in Context	MasterFILE Premier. Also try the reference and research section for websites by subject.
Kompass	Reference Canada. For more in-depth financial and corporate data, try Financial Post Investor Suite.
Novelist	BPL's recommended websites for book reviews and reading lists, under popular fiction.
World Book	World Book in print. Current print editions are available at all branches of Burnaby Public Library. Two copies are available at Bob Prittie Metrotown: one at the reference desk on the second floor, and one in the children's area.

How do I...