Your Virtual Reference Library


You can access a wide range of reference materials through the Isle of Wight Library website. To use these resources simply follow the links below and log on using your library card number.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography contains biographies of over 55,000 people who have shaped the British past over the last 2,400 years. To access this log on with the letters IOFW followed by your 8 digit library card number.

The Oxford English Dictionary is widely acknowledged as the most authoritative and comprehensive dictionary of English in the world. It is also very useful for crossword addicts as it is possible to search for words with wildcards as missing letters can be replaced with a ?. To access this log on with the letters IOFW followed by your 8 digit library card number.

The Oxford Reference Online is a vast online reference library combining in-depth content offered by titles in the Oxford Companions series with authoritative, quick-reference coverage of the full subject spectrum. To access this log on with the letters IOFW followed by your 8 digit library card number.

Grove Music Online is the ultimate authority on all aspects of music from classical to hip-hop and from baroque to blues. To access this log on with the letters IOFW followed by your 8 digit library card number.

Grove Art Online is the ultimate authority on all aspects of the visual arts worldwide from prehistory to the present day. To access this log on with the letters IOFW followed by your 8 digit library card number.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica is now available in three different versions.


Britannica Junior Encyclopaedia is for pupils at primary and middle school level. Thousands of shorter articles cover subjects for school and fun, from nations of the world to animals and sports.

Britannica Student Encyclopaedia is for pupils at middle and high school level. Articles from Britannica Online are edited and presented in a way to appeal to older students.

Britannica Online is the full version of the encyclopaedia.



Page last updated on: 29/09/2012