Research
Whether you are digging into family history, shopping for a new car, or researching a topic for your next homework assignment, PDL has lots of options and resources to help you succeed. Our librarians are also available to help you with find the best resources for your project.
general research
PDL provides a variety of research products to help you dive into nearly every subject matter. From researching your next big purchase or finding your next read, we can help through our many databases and services.
Consumer Reports
Ready to make a major purchase? Search Consumer Reports for the latest advice on purchasing products.
NoveList Plus
Looking for your next read? Browse Novelist Plus for readalikes, author information, and much more.
A to Z World Travel
Research your next trip with A to Z World Travel. Insider information on sightseeing, security, transportation, and culture.
Detroit Free Press
Access the Detroit Free Press for the years of 1999 to the present.
Update 09/13/2024
Historical Detroit Free Press direct link is available here. This is a temporary link until the content is fully moved into the Michigan Historical Newspapers database. Please contact the library if you are experiencing any problems accessing content.
Some content has already been moved to the Michigan Historical Newspapers database. Consider searching both databases while this content is being moved.
USA today database
Search for articles in the USA Today database covering 2009 to the present. Please note that current articles don’t appear until 7 days after original publication.
Michigan Historical Newspapers
Search historical newspapers from Battle Creek, Port Huron, Lansing, and the Detroit Free Press.
Business & Investments
PDL provides access to a variety of business and investment research. Investment research from Morningstar can help you make decisions as well as expand your knowledge through their investor education. With Data Axle and other databases, business people can enhance their market research, develop leads, and investigate competition.
Morningstar
Please click here if you are inside the library.
Morningstar is a premier investment database providing research for all types investments. Comprehensive investor education is also available. Track your own investments through an individualized account.
Data Axle
Formerly known as Reference USA, Data Axle provides industry and consumer research. Generate leads and investigate business opportunities with the verified data from Data Axle.
Value Line
Value Line Survey covers approximately 1,700 stocks, representing 90% of U.S. trading volume. The survey also includes stock screeners, ratings, and research reports on the leading stocks in each category, based on a variety of investment criteria.
Legal Forms
Gale Legal Forms has over 36,000 legal documents and forms, including wills, name change, real estate and more. The forms are also specific to Michigan and can be downloaded and edited. Note: the forms and information are not intended as legal advice.
genealogy
Discover your family roots with our genealogical databases.
Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry Library Edition is available for in-library use. Search thousands of vital records, census data, yearbooks, and other material to discover your roots.
HeritageQuest
Heritage Quest is a genealogical database that is available off library. Many of the records overlap those of Ancestry. Heritage Quest also includes Freedman’s Bank (1865-1871) records.
Fold3
Fold3 focuses on military records. Browse by service or war. Fold3 also includes memorials, personal stories and other memorabilia of service personnel.
Family Search
Plymouth is now a Family Search affiliate library. You can access additional information and images using your family search account.
academic research
MeL (Michigan eLibrary) provides over 70 research databases, e-learning products, and tutorials to Michigan residents of all ages. Log in with your library card or state ID. These databases range from academic peer reviewed journals to encyclopedias and reading tutorials for children. Statewide interlibrary loan is also available through MeL.
Local History
Through the efforts of Plymouth District Library, local history is available online. Search through our collections below, and reach out to library staff if you need support. Search both resources or use the buttons below to browse them individually.
