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Online encyclopaedias and dictionaries

Portsmouth Library Service has made it possible for you to access the very best online reference resources free of charge in your library, workplace or home. To access these resources from home you will need to be a member of Portsmouth Libraries and use your library card number to log-in.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Online

You can use Encyclopaedia Britannica Online in a Portsmouth Library or from home by accessing the website under External Links. You will need to use your library card to log-in if you are at home.    

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is an illustrated collection of more than 55,000 specially written biographies of the men and women around the world who shaped the history of Britain.

To use the Oxford DNB in a Portsmouth Library access the Oxford DNB website located under External Links, or alternatively use the Oxford DNB from home using your library card.

The Oxford English Dictionary

To access Oxford English Dictionary Online in a Portsmouth Library navigate to the link listed under External Links, or alternatively access the Oxford English Dictionary from home using your library card.

If you experience any difficulty accessing the Oxford English Dictionary Online from home, please contact libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for advice. 

Oxford Reference Online

Oxford Reference Online brings together language and subject reference works from one of the world's biggest reference publishers into a single cross-searchable resource. The Oxford Reference online collection contains over 100 dictionary, language reference and subject reference works.

To use Oxford Reference Online in a Portsmouth Library or remotely from home using your library card facility, access the website located under External Links.

Grove Music Online

Grove Music Online is the most comprehensive and authoritative online resource for research into all aspects of music worldwide - from classical to hip-hop and baroque to blues.

To use Grove Music Online in a Portsmouth Library access the link located under External Links. Alternatively, you can use Grove Music Online from home by using your library card.

Grove Art Online

Grove Art Online provides Web access to the entire text of "The Dictionary of Art" and "The Oxford Companion to Western Art". This encyclopaedia of the visual arts features articles, thumbnail art images and sophisticated search and navigation tools.

You can use Grove Art Online in a Portsmouth Library by accessing the website under External Links, or alternatively use Grove Art Online from home using your library card.

Information

For information on joining the library, navigate to the 'Library membership and how to join' link under Internal Links.

For further help or information please contact Jackie Painting on (023) 9268 8044 or email libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk