A resource for genealogists. This collection assembles every extant U.S. federal census including the 1850 and 1860 slave schedules. It also includes the text from 25,000 family and local histories, Revolutionary War Pension Records, the PERSI index and more. Other resources are scheduled to be added in the future.

For in-library use, click the icon above to gain access to this website.

For home access, click Here and enter your Southside Regional Library card number.

NOTE: There is no index for the slave schedules. In order to access slave schedules select "browse" from the search page, select either 1850 or 1860 for the census year, select one of the southern states for the State, and then select "Slave" for both the County and Location.
1850 Mecklenburg slave census begins with image #3801
1860 Mecklenburg slave census begins with image #4251.
1850 Lunenburg slave census begins with image #3607
1860 Lunenburg slave census begins with image #4049.

Find It Virginia is a database provided by the Library of Virginia to all public library patrons. This site won the 2002 Governor's Technology Award. It contains up to 20 years of newspaper and magazine articles (many with full text) which can be used as reference material for research papers and general knowledge. Many articles are accompanied by charts, maps, diagrams, and illustrations which may be downloaded and used in research reports. The database can be searched by keyword or subject. Patrons can get information and articles on current hot topics as well as general information and historical topics. There is a section geared to elementary and middle school students which includes The World Almanac for Kids, a Dictionary, Maps of the World, and Activities.

Registered patrons of Southside Regional Library can gain access to this free database from any computer by logging onto www.finditva.com, selecting Southside Regional Library from the drop-down menu, and then entering their library card number.

One of the free services available through the Southside Regional Library System is access to Learning Express Library.  This is a completely interactive and comprehensive website that features more than 300 practice tests based on official school and career exams, including SAT, GED, ASVAB, EMT, Postal Worker, etc.  There's even a practice test for improving reading, writing, math, or grammar skills.  These practice tests can help individuals reach their school and career goals. To gain access to this free service, visit any branch of the Southside Regional Library and apply for a free library card.  Then use any public computer available within the branch library to log onto Learning Express Library by using the library card number and any self-defined password.   Select the desired test and get immediate scoring and detailed explanation of answers to all questions.  Test results are stored in a personalized account, accessible only by the user. After logging onto the database from within one of the library branches, users can access Learning Express Library from home by using the library card number and the self-defined password.

The full text of the Encyclopedia Britannica is available from within the library by clicking this link or the icon above. It can also be accessed by clicking the "Encyclopedia Britannica (In Library Access)" link on the Reference Page.

Home access is available by clicking on this link and then entering your Southside Regional Library card number. It can also be accessed by clicking the "Encyclopedia Britannica (Home Access)" link on the reference page and then supplying your Southside Regional Library card number.

eBooks are electronic versions of printed books. They can be viewed online on any PC connected to the Internet. They can be browsed for quick research and reference or be checked out to be read when convenient--anywhere, anytime. No need to worry about returning them. eBooks are automatically returned at the end of the checkout period. Searching eBooks is fast and efficient. Every word in every book can be searched or a search can be performed within a particular eBook. They are a good source of homework help, easy reference materials, business and economics, or self-help. To gain access to eBooks available online, patrons need to visit their local branch of the Southside Regional Library System and use any public computer to log onto Net Library using a self-defined user name and password. After logging onto the website from within one of the library branches, access is available from home.

Join the Library of Virginia Online Teen Book Club and receive chapters from popular books in your daily email. Each day you will receive a portion of a chapter. After you've read 2 or 3 chapters from a book, you'll start receiving a new one. To complete reading any of these books, check them out at any branch of the Southside Regional Library system. Sign up at the Online Teen Book Club website.