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Location Closure Due to lack of air conditioning, the Herring Run Branch is closed until further notice and the Northwood Branch is closed on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.

Holiday Closing All Pratt Library locations will be closed Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Home  /  Research

Research

Research your family history, get homework help, read current newspapers, and more with Pratt Library research resources. Browse subject guides, databases, and digital collections or chat with a librarian to get started. A Pratt Library Card is required to access many of our databases.

Featured Databases

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Gale Courses database - logo and images of people learning Excel and to grammar lessons

Personal & Professional Improvement Classes

Gale Courses includes classes taught by experts on management, computers and technology, hobbies, writing, health, and more.

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Gale Presents Udemy - logos and woman smiling holding a phone and tablet

Online Courses with Udemy

Learn and improve skills across business, tech, design, and other interests with on-demand video courses from Udemy.

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Heritage Quest collage of logo, Baltimore census detail and Library of Congress photo of a Baltimore man and his mother at home

Historical Census Data

HeritageQuest Online contains essential collections of genealogical and historical sources with coverage dating back to the 1700s.

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Baltimore Sun historic newspaper, digital 1913 page scan

Maryland Newspapers

Search current and historical Maryland newspapers, including over 100 years of the Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Afro-American.

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Featured Research Guides

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Job & Career Center

Job Seeker's Toolkit

Looking for a job in Baltimore? This toolkit is designed to support job-seekers and those who assist job-seekers.

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COVID-19 vaccine vials

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Use this guide to find trusted and reliable news sources related to the Coronavirus COVID-19 vaccine.

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Genealogy and family history research - old family photographs and leaves

Genealogy & Family History Research

Research your family history and genealogy with extensive resources, both in person and online.

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old books on a shelf with gold embossed leather spines

Evaluating Old Books

Ever wonder how much your old books are worth? The Humanities Department has resources to help you find out.

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Got a Question? Ask a Librarian!

During Pratt Library hours you can live chat with a librarian. Prefer to talk on the phone? Call (410) 396-5430 for answers to reference questions.

Chat with a Librarian

Digital Maryland Collections

Providing online access to digital versions of rare and unique materials, including historical maps, photographs, reports, books, manuscripts, artwork, and other media. To view more digital collections from libraries, museums, archives, and other institutions throughout Maryland, visit Digital Maryland.

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Central Library Departments

Find librarian expertise, books, media, microfilm, and more in Central Library Departments. Explore Departments related to subjects from Maryland history and fine arts to job seeking and teen resources.

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“The Pratt librarians are amazingly helpful. I could not do the research that I have been doing without the live chat services.”

Julie D.

“I use the free online research from home that Enoch Pratt provides. The broad scope of research databases is even is better then the Library of Congress's resources.”

Warren R.

“The network of libraries is easy to use, information is super accessible, and staff are super helpful and friendly!”

Yelena D.

“It's a great place for resources and studying when you need a quiet space.”

Celeste H.

“I'm a teacher and the Library is a great resource for my students and their families.”

Kitra K.