This database of newspapers provides content from Michigan and newspapers, including the Kalamazoo Gazette (back to 2005). It also contains articles from USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, The Washington Post, and a wide variety of other papers. Genealogists will also find the America’s Obituaries & Death Notices collection very helpful. Most content is provided through the Michigan e-Library, including the Detroit News, Grand Rapids Press, and Traverse City Record Eagle, with the Kalamazoo Gazette content provided through the Portage District Library.

Learn How to Use Access World News

Ancestry Library Edition contains federal census information, genealogies, and family histories. The world’s largest online family history resource with instant access to hundreds of years of history in billions of historical documents and millions of historical photos from all over the world.

Learn How to Use AncestryLibrary

Creativebug offers online video arts and crafts workshops and techniques. Learn how to paint, knit, crochet, sew, screen print, and more!

We are currently unable to reliably access this service and are transitioning to a new digital archive that will be available Fall 2025.

This is an extensive set of online reference books available to you from home from any computer with your library card. It includes multiple encyclopedias of different types, biographies, directories, and other types of reference materials for all ages. There is a base collection of works purchased by MeL which has been augmented by additional titles purchased by the Portage District Library.

Explore pages from the Grand Rapids Press in PDF form from 2018 to the present. Peruse text from articles going back to 2000.

Discover the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for genealogical research, 1704 – today.

Peruse pages from the Kalamazoo Gazette in PDF form from 2018 to the present. Explore text from Kalamazoo Gazette articles going back to 2005.

Training Topics in this business-and-life-enhancing database include: 3D Animation, Business, Design, Diversity, Home Computing, Photography, Web, Leadership, Microsoft Office, Time Management, Communication, Marketing. Some training programs offer certificates upon completion.

Learn how to use LinkedIn Learning

Mango Languages offers over 70 world language courses expertly designed to adapt to a diverse range of learning needs, styles, and backgrounds. This interactive learning experience is for all ages.