Online Resources
Research
Begin any research project at the Library! The first stop — either online or in person — is the online catalog. See what materials you can check out or access to enrich your research.
NC Live
NC Live can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection, from within our libraries, at home or on your mobile devices. All you need is your FREE Appalachian Regional Library card number! (If you don't have one yet, stop by soon.)
With content and indexing from more than 50,000 newspapers, journals, magazines, encyclopedias, ebooks, e-audio, and streaming video titles, NC Live offers users the highest quality, most authoritative, subscription resources in the information marketplace. Students, faculty, and staff from any of North Carolina's community colleges, independent colleges and universities, and public universities, as well as patrons from the state's public libraries can access all of NC Live's content at no cost.
Sign up for for the Wowbrary Newsletter for weekly updates on new books,CDs, DVDs, and other items added to the ARL catalog.
Test Prep and Study Guidance
Testing Education & Reference Center (TERC) is a testing and education preparation resource that includes in-depth information on college, graduate, and professional programs, professional training, scholarships, and entrance tests alongside practice tests for entrance exams, certifications, and licensing exams.
Home Grown eBook Collection
This downloadable eBook collection of fiction and nonfiction titles is curated from North Carolina publishers who encourage you to see what's in season, learn something local, and find something novel!
NC Live Video Collection
Stream a variety of content created and distributed through PBS. Series include Frontline, American Experience, Nova, and Masterpiece Theater.
Morningstar Investment Research Center
This resource includes research and independent opinions on thousands of mutual funds, stocks, and ETFs.
Health & Wellness Information Center
Find eBooks, videos, and guides to thousands of medical conditions or search by condition to access reliable wellness information.
US Newsstream
Access news content from many national and international newspapers, news wires, and selected news magazines.
Ancestry Library
We also offer access to Ancestry Library Edition for those who are interested in genealogy and family history.
Genealogy and Historical Maps
If you're working on genealogy research from home, you can access resources available through Heritage Quest any time.
NCpedia
Visit NCpedia.org, a wealthy collection of valuable knowledge for all things North Carolina.
US Census Data
Explore local and national data pools available through the US Census Bureau.
Resources A to Z
This information guide lists all available NC Live resources as well as reliable sources of information available on the open web.
Digital Watauga
Connect to our local history by accessing Watauga County’s historical images, documents, and other materials.
Visit the Digital Watauga website for online digital collections of the High Country's archival memories, including the work of late local photographers such as Palmer Blair and George Flowers.
Information for Job Seekers
NC Works Career Services
NC Works Online is a one-stop resource for job seekers and employers in North Carolina. Job seekers can search for jobs, create resumes, and find education and training.
Résumés, Résumé Help, and Job Search Help Sessions
All of library system's public computers all have Microsoft Word (2016 version), which can be used to make a résumé for job-searching. Each part of the Appalachian Regional Library system offers one-on-one help sessions, by appointment, for making a résumé or for using the NCWorks Online web site. Call your library to make an appointment.