The Hong Kong Public Libraries offers a wide range of online databases for readers to search information. A recent addition is the Grolier Online, an educational portal which provides access to the five comprehensive databases below. Covering the fields of arts, social sciences, geography, history, philosophy, religions, sports and entertainment, science and technology, this new portal further strengthens the Libraries' electronic reference resources.

Grolier Online is now available at the Hong Kong Central Library and all static libraries. Library card-holders of the Hong Kong Public Libraries may also access the database remotely through the "Access to Electronic Resources via Internet" section at the Hong Kong Public Libraries website.

Encyclopedia Americana Online

A general encyclopedia which provides comprehensive coverage for in-depth research, this database contains more than 40,000 articles and illustrations on over 500 subject areas and provides 6,000 bibliographies and over 150,000 Internet links to related academic and professional websites. Users can also browse the Encyclopedia Americana Journal for newsworthy current events in this database.

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online

Based on the text of the Academic American Encyclopedia, GMEOL is a general encyclopedia which provides quick reference with rich multimedia background on a great variety of subjects. This database contains 38,000 articles, over 100,000 article-to-article links and 55,000 Internet links to academic and educational websites. Besides extensive hyperlinking, other features also include over 16,000 bibliographies, an electronic atlas as well as a wide range of sound, video and animation clips, timeline and research starters to support students and self learners.

The New Book of Knowledge

A popular general encyclopedia among students, parents and teachers in the United States, this database provides 9,500 articles and related illustrations as well as 8,000 web links specially selected for young readers. Other features also include teachers' and parents' guide, online dictionaries and a current events site (NBKNEWS).

The New Book of Popular Science

A complete source for Science, Technology and Science news, this database contains articles, bibliographies and hyperlinks on all aspects of scientific knowledge, and includes top-of-the-news science stories, a weekly stargazer feature called SkyWatch, a question and answer column plus science games, puzzles and brain teasers.

Lands and Peoples

An encyclopedia of countries, cultures and geography for educators and students. Over 300 countries' land, people, economy, history and government are featured in this database, incorporating an electronic atlas, relevant statistics and fact sheets, lists of history and geography terms as well as interactive games, puzzles and activities.