REGIONAL CATALOG:
REFERENCE DATABASES:
Regional Catalog
Merlin is the shared catalog of NWLS member libraries. With a library card patrons can directly request, renew, and can check the status of items either checked out or on hold.
Reference Databases
Ancestry Library Edition is an extensive library genealogy research tool. Access is limited to in-library use at any NWLS library. A template (pdf) for bookmarks is available.
AskAway is a virtual reference service to use when you need information.
An online chat form connects to a qualified reference librarian any time of day, seven days a week.
BadgerLink contains thousands of newspaper and periodical titles, image files, and other reference materials. EBSCO offers over 6,000 magazine and journal titles, over half of which are available in full-text. BadgerLink is available to everyone in Wisconsin without a password.
Chilton Library offers a comprehensive vehicle repair database. Patrons can access this database at any NWLS library or at home. For a password, contact your local library. Templates for promotional materials are available online.
NetLibrary provides a collection of ebooks in the Merlin catalog that can be checked out and read on a home computer. Contact your nearest NWLS library to set up a free account. A featured list of ebooks is available from the Merlin homepage.
OverDrive Audiobooks offers audiobook titles that can be downloaded directly to a computer, an MP3 player or burned to a CD. A valid Merlin card number is necessary for checkout and placing holds.
WISCAT is the Wisconsin library catalog that can be browsed when the Merlin catalog doesn't have what you're looking for. Contact your librarian to request items from WISCAT.
WorldCat is a worldwide catalog of library collections that includes more than 67 million bibliographic records with items in many different formats. Patrons can access this database at any library or at home with a user-friendly search page.
