NWRL branches are open, with some open only by appointment. Most continue to offer curbside service, as well. Meeting rooms are available for government, education, and job-related purposes. Computer time is limited to 30 minutes, with extensions permitted for education and job-related purposes. Please call or email your branch for more details. Click here to see the details of our phased reopening plan.

Research

The following resources are available to you from your library.

  • AskMN 
    Ask Questions. AskMN is an instant chat service that allows you to communicate with an experienced librarian anytime, day or night, seven days a week. Within minutes, a professional can respond to your question, linking you to reliable information and resources.
  • ELM (eLibrary MN)
    Find Articles Online. Search ELM for magazine, newspaper, journal articles, e-Books, and information from reference sources. ELM contains searchable information about careers, practice tests for professional licensing and for college entrance testing, etc.
    For interactive tutorials on accessing ELM databases, click HERE
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica 
    Research. Britannica Online Public Library Edition contains comprehensive content for all patrons, and can be searched by children, teens, or adults for appropriate content. Whether it’s frogs or physics, gardening or geography.
  • Minnesota Reflections 
    Discover. Browse a database of digitized original materials shared by cultural heritage organizations located across our state. These materials include images, text, audio, film, and more, with new items added on a regular basis. The resources found on this site support research for scholars, educators, students, and the public.
  • MNKnows 
    Dig Deeper. MnKnows is a portal to Minnesota’s online library services, welcoming you to use and explore the various electronic resources listed below. Minnesota’s libraries cooperate to connect Minnesotans with the world of information, the content of their collections, and the expertise of their staff members.
  • MNLink 
    Get Library Materials. View the online catalogs from over 20 Minnesota library systems and request materials. Please note that MnLink should ONLY be used after making sure the material you are requesting is not in the library catalog. If the item is in the library catalog MnLink can not be used to request the item.
  • PCHS 
    Research History. Pennington County Historical Society. Cemetery & Obituary Research: Pennington, Red lake and Marshall Counties. An index compiled through an LSTA grant and maintained by the Northwest Regional Library. For cemetery and obituary records, click here.
  • WorldCat 
    Go Global. Union catalog of materials cataloged by libraries around the world.

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