The Keokuk Public Library Foundation recently voted to purchase three new databases for Keokuk Public Library patrons!  These new databases can be accessed remotely from anywhere with Internet access – including home, work, and the library.  The databases are: Auto Repair Reference Center, Small Engine Repair Reference Center, and Home Improvement Reference Center – all by EBSCO publishing.

Auto Repair Reference Center includes automotive repair information supplied by Point 5 Technologies, Inc., under license from Nichols Publishing, the former publisher of Chilton Information, and information from Delphi Integrated Service Solutions.

It contains information on most manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles.  All of the content has been created by ASE certified technicians, which includes:

• More than 33,800 vehicles, from 1945 to present
• Nearly 800,000 drawings and step-by-step photographs
• Approximately 83,200 technical service bulletins & recalls
• Over 99,800 enhanced wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing
• Specifications & maintenance schedules
• Labor Time Guide & Estimator
• AutoIQ
• Quick Tips – a complete guide to vehicle ownership & maintenance

Small Engine Repair Reference Center is the definitive online tool for small engine repair assistance.  Containing 410 full-text reference books with original photos and illustrations that guide the user through every job, this comprehensive resource provides repair information for a variety of small engine types, including:

• ATVs
• Commercial mowers
• Farm tractors
• Generators
• Motorcycles
• Marine (boats)
• Outdoor power equipment
• PWC (personal water craft/jet ski)
• Snowblowers
• Snowmobiles
• Tillers

The database often contains more than 25 years of an engine model, and offers assistance in providing routine maintenance, such as tune-ups and brake service, as well as extensive repairs involving engine and transmission disassembly.  In addition, the database allows users to select a type of product, specific brand, specific model/engine type, and specific area of that model/engine type.  Model numbers are also searchable.

Home Improvement Reference Center is the definitive online tool for home improvement assistance, containing 24 major reference works in full-text covering thousands of repair projects, as well as more than 10,000 images (none found available online anywhere else).

Additionally, the database contains nearly 100 videos of popular home repair projects, a convenient A - Z browsing tool, and full-text content from leading home improvement magazines (e.g., This Old House).  Subject coverage includes:

• Decorating Home & Garden
• Electrical Work
• Maintenance
• Outdoor Improvements
• Plumbing
• Remodeling
• Wood Projects

With these three databases, the library’s collection of online reference databases now totals 11! 

The first database purchased by the library was EBSCOhost – an incredibly large collection of magazines and journals which includes interfaces for kids and teens, Kids Search for grades K – 8 and the Student Research Center for grades 9 - 12.  In 2007 the library added two genealogy databases from ProQuest with the help of the Lee County Genealogical Society – Ancestry and HeritageQuest.  More recently the library added four databases from A to Z for travel and educational research (A to Z Maps, the USA, World Travel, and World Culture), as well as Tell Me More, a language-learning database.  All of these databases can be accessed from home, with the exception of Ancestry.

In 2008 the library added downloadable audiobooks to its collection, through the WILBOR consortium.  And at the end of 2010 eBooks were added – with WILBOR and TumbleBooks.  TumbleBooks are talking, animated eBooks for children.

The statistics for virtual reference items like databases and downloadable media are rising.  Keokuk library patrons have made 10,000 – 15,000 searches on these databases every year.  WILBOR users download 80-100 audiobooks every month, and eBook checkouts are reaching 50 per month.  TumbleBooks have been wildly popular from the start – with about 300 of the children’s eBooks viewed per month!

Anyone that thinks that reading and libraries are losing popularity since the invention of the Internet has not visited the Keokuk Public Library.  Last year 94,000 people visited the library, which has almost 12,000 cardholders.  Over 90,000 items checked out – an increase of more than 8% over the previous year.  Website traffic also increased by 21%, and the number of kids that attend teen programs increased by over 200%.

Information on online databases and library services can be found at the library, 210 N. 5th Street, and on our website.  You can also call (319) 524-1483 (or contact us via email) with login questions.