Research Desk: Get Started

The Research Desk is here to help you find information on everything from preparing for a job search to genealogy research.

Browse our collection of e-resources and research guides compiled by our librarians.

Research Databases

The Morse Institute Library has databases across dozens of subjects. Browse below, or see our full collection

Natick Historical Newspapers Digital Archive: 1856 to 12/31/1976

This part of the Natick Historical Newspapers collection is freely, and remotely available to anyone. It includes coverage of twelve different Natick newspapers with various dates that go back to 1856 and up to 12/31/1976. This digital archive is possible thanks to the generosity of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation. This Archive will work with all laptops, desktops, ANDROID devices, and all Apple i0S devices EXCEPT for iPads, and iPhones.
 

Mass Legal Help

MassLegalHelp has information for Massachusetts residents who are facing legal issues such as...

· their landlord is refusing to make repairs or is evicting them.
· they were denied SNAP benefits and want to know how to appeal.
· they need to get a domestic violence restraining order.
· they want to know their rights if ICE detains them.
· they have questions about getting their CORI sealed.

Note: MassLegalHelp does not offer legal advice or answer individual legal questions

Consumer Reports

Published by the independent nonprofit Consumers Union, ConsumerReports.org is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. ConsumerReports.org provides ratings and recommendations on cars, appliances, electronics, and thousands of other products under the categories of Home and Garden, Babies and Kids, Money, and Food.

Value Line Library Elite

Value Line is an extensive vault of investment research featuring, approximately 6,000 stocks, expert analysis, and unbiased commentary with a time-tested and performance-proven Ranking System. Search 1,700 mostly large-cap stocks, 1,800 small and mid-cap stocks, 5 years of historical reports and data, and full industry reports spanning nearly 100 industries.

NoveList

Find lists of books with your favorite plots, themes, or settings. Requires that you enter your library card number.

Boston Globe

Provides full text access to The Boston Globe from 1980-current, including access to top news stories and also the information contained on the various sections of the paper. The indexing covers complete bibliographic information and also companies, people, products, etc.

Gardening, Landscape & Horticulture Collection

A collection of more than 80 journals focused on key issues in gardening, landscaping, and other areas of horticulture, with the addition of over 20 subject specific reference sources from Delmar, this collection provides information for gardening enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Mango Languages

Whether you’re learning how to order a pizza or ask when the game starts, Mango immerses you in real, everyday conversations to develop conversation skills in 65 languages. It also features instruction in English, tailored for speakers of 18 languages.

Health & Medicine

Find academic articles on: Fitness, Pregnancy, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Public Health, Occupational Health & Safety, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, HMOs, Prescription Drugs, etc. The material contained in this database is intended for informational purposes only.

Guides

See our full list of guides

Immigration Resources

Compilation of legal resources, Know Your Rights, and scam prevention information for immigrants.

Artificial Intelligence Resources

What is AI? What types of AI are there? How does copyright laws impact AI? 
Learn about Artificial Intelligence with our resources.

Identity Theft

Identity theft impacts millions of Americans every year. Learn how to protect your identity online.

Learn English

Learn speaking, listening, reading, and writing at our Learn English Conversation Group sessions with Literacy Unlimited. Our class sizes are small. Sessions are free. 

Stick to a Budget

Check out our collection of budgeting resources. Learn how to balance a budget, manage your finances, and build your bank account.

Historical Online Newspapers

One of the best ways to find information about the past is researching old newspapers. This guide provides information and links to resources that offer free access to historic online newspapers. But while these collections are digital, some may not be remotely available to search from home. You may need to call the owning institution to see if and how you can access their digital collection from home.

Town Reports

The Morse Institute Library, in conjunction with the Digital Commonwealth, is pleased to announce that all Natick Town Reports from 1850 through 2020 are now available online via the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/morseinstitutelibrary
These reports are all keyword searchable and have an audio component available as well.

Reference Assistance