24/7 Reference Library
Every library in Barnet has a range of printed and online reference resources available for free. Hendon and Chipping Barnet have larger reference libraries. You can also use the resources listed on this page free of charge from home using your Barnet library card.
If you are not a member of Barnet libraries but you live, work or study in the area you can join for free at any of our libraries.
24/7 Reference Library
Use your 14 digit library card number to access hundreds of 'reference books, newspapers and dictionaries':
- CANS Advice Notes
Detailed summary of the laws of England, Scotland and Wales. Tips on Using CANS. - Credo Reference (formerly Xreferplus)
Quick answers from a wide range of reference books from the world's leading publishers - Encyclopaedia Britannica - Academic Edition
Information on every topic imaginable from the origins of the universe to current events and everything in between - Encylopaedia Britannica - Library Edition
Log in to the Library edition then choose from the Junior (ages five -11), Student (ages 12-18) or Library (general adult) editions - Encyclopedia Judaica - 2nd Edition
New edition available online. Tips on using the Encyclopedia Judaica - Oxford Art Online
Now totally redesigned and including other Oxford Art resources - Oxford Music Online
Now redesigned to include the Oxford Dictionary of Music, Encyclopedia of Music and the Oxford Companion to Music as well as Grove Music Online. - KnowUK
Information on people, places and organisations in the UK. - NewsUK
National and regional news, combining the most popular British newspaper titles in one database - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Men and women who shaped the history of Britain - Oxford English Dictionary
The most authoritative and comprehensive dictionary of the English language - Oxford Reference Online
Over 130 subject dictionaries from the Oxford University Press - Times Digital Archive
Search the full text of the Times newspaper from 1785 to 1985 - Who's Who and Who Was Who
Search the 2008 edition of Who's Who and more than 100,000 records of people from Who Was Who. Tips on using Who's Who
You can also book a computer in the library to use any of these resources or use one of the quick reference computers in the larger libraries. The online resources are all listed on the browser favourites list on the public computers in libraries to help you find what you need.
Reference collections
Every Barnet library has collections of printed reference materials and information depending on the size of the library. Hendon and Chipping Barnet libraries have more substantial reference libraries. Any library should be able to help you with your reference enquiry or at least be able to point you in the right direction to get further help.
These include:
- Atlases
- Encyclopedias
- Dictionaries
- Directories
- Local telephone directories
- National and local newspapers.
Enquire service
If you have a reference enquiry but can't get to your local library you can also use the Enquire service. Staffed by librarians and running 24 hours a day seven days a week this service uses email or Instant Messaging to let you ask any question and get the answer from someone who is trained to help you find the answer. Simply go to www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/enquire.
