Newspapers Via America's News

Search state and national full-text articles on issues, events, business, government, sports and more with over 1,500 news sources including the San Antonio Express News (1990-current), the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (3/21/01-current), the Seguin Gazette (2/1/05-current ) and USA Today (7/1/87-current).

This database can be accessed in the Library or remotely from home. Grab a cup of coffee and your library card and start reading a paper!

Ancestry Library Edition

Available on any Internet computer at the library, Ancestry Library Edition contains billions of names in over 6,000 databases and is a comprehensive online source of information for conducting genealogical research. Census records; birth, marriage, and death records; immigration records; vital and church records; military records; and court, land, and probate records are included. Popular databases include the U.S. Federal Census from 1790 to 1930, Social Security Death Index, Civil War records, U.S. Public Records Index, American Genealogical-Biographical Index, and the Federal Slave Narratives. Click on the Ancestry Library Edition logo to get started.

(This database is only available to the public at the Library and cannot be accessed from home.)

Tips on using Ancestry Library Edition:

Watch a two-minute video about Ancestry Library Edition
Database Guide
Sample Searches
Differences Between Ancestry Library Edition and Ancestry.com

Banzai Financial Literacy

Banzai is an interactive, award-winning curriculum that has taught millions the real-world of finance. The CTLS Banzai dashboard, sponsored by Independent Financial, provides clear, in-depth lessons that dive into financial topics. To begin, new users should click the Login option in the upper right hand corner of dashboard and choose Sign up.

Brainfuse HelpNow  

An all-in-one suite of tutoring services designed for a wide range of academic needs whether it’s tackling a tough homework problem, mastering a particular topic, or writing a paper. HelpNow services include expert academic tutoring and self-study tools to empower users to study at their own pace or collaborate with peers and teachers. Students access live, on-demand academic help and state-aligned skills building lessons from expert tutors from 2-11 PM. With HelpNow, tutors and students communicate in real time in our online classroom by typing, drawing, and marking-up lessons and web content. Plus, students can use our secure file sharing feature in the writing lab to submit writing assignments to our writing tutors any time of the day. The Brainfuse full-service test center offers practice tests for all levels in math, reading, and writing as well as college preparatory tests – including the SAT.

• Adult Learning Center: Adult Learning Center is the adult learners’ version of HelpNow where users can access GED prep, U.S citizenship test prep, resume assistance, Microsoft Office support, and Career Resources which lists popular job search links. Microsoft Office support allows users to ask questions about Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Writing Lab, Send Question and the Skills Building are also included in the Adult Learning Center suite.

Tips for Using Brainfuse:

Brainfuse HelpNow User Guide
Adult Learning Center Video (5 minutes)
Brainfuse Overview Video (13 minutes)
HelpNow Video (4 minutes)

Creativebug

Creativebug inspires you to create and then teaches you how!  Enjoy unlimited access to over 1,000 online art and craft classes, plus patterns, templates, and recipes. Topics include art & design, sewing, quilting, paper, knitting, crochet, food & home, jewelry, holiday & party, and classes for kids.  Watch videos anytime, anywhere. Since classes never expire, you can start and stop projects at your own pace. The Creativebug platform includes chapter divisions, note-taking tools, 20-second rewind and more. You can save favorite classes and receive personalized recommendations.  New classes from top artists are added daily.

The City of Schertz, A Digital History 

Anthology containing articles, images, documents, and publications on the history of the City of Schertz.

Kanopy (Streaming films)

Library card holders can access Kanopy and stream up to 7 films a month and 5 Great Courses. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android,AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku. Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema with collections fromKino Lorber, MusicBox Films, Samuel Goldwyn,The Orchard, The Great Courses, PBS and thousands of independent filmmakers.

Kanopy Help

Morningstar Investment Research Center 

As of August 2023, Morningstar has been discontinued from our available electronic resources. Please check out its replacement - Weiss Financial Ratings - for investment research, financial planning, and more!

Niche Academy

Find tutorials and step-by-step instructions for accessing a variety of online resources, including e=book services and databases available to you with your library card. Click the link above to access Niche Academy, or use the "Click for Tutorials" tab on the far right side of this page.

Rocket Languages

An award-winning interactive online language learning system. Library cardholders can use this interactive website to learn conversational language at their own pace. Rocket Languages can be accessed from home and provides lifelong language learning. You can access it as streaming learning or by downloading it for easy access on all MP3 compatible devices. You can go at your own pace and study whenever you have time!

Languages available:
Spanish (Latin American), Arabic, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, English (Spanish Speakers), English (Japanese Speakers) and American Sign Language.

TexShare Database Program

Provides a wealth of electronic database resources to over 700 public, academic, and libraries of clinical medicine throughout the state at a significant cost savings. These electronic databases are powerful research tools available 24 hours a day in the homes or offices of registered patrons of participating Texas libraries. They provide full-text articles from journals, newspapers, magazines, and many other sources. Entire books can be read online. Database topics include homework help for students, health information, business information, biography and genealogy, as well as literature and archival information.

Schertz Public Library cardholders can ask for a login and password to access the TexShare Databases at the circulation or information desks.  Click on the TexShare logo to start searching!

Weiss Financial Ratings

Weiss Financial Ratings Online gives you accurate, independent ratings and financial planning tools you need to make informed decisions about your insurance, banking and investment options. Use the search tool to find the safest banks, credit unions, and insurance companies in your area. Check out the guides on financial planning that cover topics such as starting a family, buying a home, identity theft,  and planning for college. Use their tools to research stocks, mutual funds, and other investments to build your wealth and plan for your future. Create your own personal profile, build a Watchlist, and get Upgrade/Downgrade alerts. This program is designed to direct you toward safe banking and insurance options and strong investments while helping you avoid unnecessary risk that could lead to financial losses. 

To access this resource, visit the website above and click the link to Login/Sign in with your Library card.