GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online), an initiative of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, is a web-based virtual library that provides access to thousands of periodicals and journals, many full text, via more than 100 databases. In addition to databases, GALILEO provides access to many licensed products such as Ancestry Library Edition, encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries, business directories, and government publications.  GALILEO also is the source for Georgia History and Cultural information and images. To access GALILEO from home, use your library card number and library PIN or call the library for current password.

The Library maintains a collection that includes most fiction best sellers as well as a sampling of non-fiction best sellers and books on topical subjects popular with the community.  We carry most popular authors and strive to include a very wide variety of genres as well as new authors in the collection.  Patrons can easily request books from throughout the state using the PINES circulation system, or they can request that the Library purchase a specific title.  Every effort is made to accommodate such requests depending on available funds.

The Library provides many opportunities to increase knowledge of and improve personal finance.  Dash for Cash is a occasional program where experts in various fields such as “extreme couponing,” creating a household budget, credit ratings and scores share their knowledge of how to make your money work for you.  In addition to these classes and workshops, the library also has an up-to-date selection of books pertaining to economics, personal finance, and estate planning, investing and improving personal marketability in the job market. Also available are GALILEO databases such as ABI/INFORM Complete, Business Source Complete, Hoover’s Company Capsules & Profiles, MasterFILE Premier, Regional Business News, Research Library, Asian Business and Reference, Banking Information Source, European Business.

The Library offers materials in many popular and pertinent research areas. In addition to book format, the library offers access, through GALILEO, to databases and links in the many subject areas including these listed below:

Health: Alt Health Watch, Consumer Health Complete, MedlinePlus, Merck Manual, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, MasterFILE Premier, Research Library (at Proquest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, MedicLatina (Spanish language medical database).

 Education: Education Journals, ERIC, MasterFILE Premier, Professional Development Collection (education), Research Library, Social Science Journals, GACollege411, University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Agricultural Education, GED Diploma, Georgia Virtual Technical College.

Personal Finance & Investing: ABI/INFORM Complete, Accounting and Tax Database, Business Source Complete, MasterFILE Premier and Research Library. Hoover’s Company Capsules & Profiles.

Government & Law: Georgia.gov, MasterFILE Premier, Research Library, USA.gov ( the U.S. Governement’s Official Web Portal), Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, Census Data, Legal Collection, Georgia Code, Georgia Government Publications, Legal Collection, New Georgia Encyclopedia, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, State of Georgia Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, all Georgia and Federal Agencies.

General Reference: World Almanac, Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Enciclopedia Juvenil (from Encyclopaedia Britannica) Encyclopaedia Brittanica Online Reference Center, Global Reference Center, New Georgia Encyclopedia, PlanetarSaber, Research Library, MasterFILE Premier, EBSCO Databases.

Elbert County Library is making a concerted effort to bring  the most up to date information to help local business owners improve and expand.  With a grant from Community Partnership of Elbert County (CPEC) the Small Business and Career Center was opened in  early 2011. Four designated computers with direct web links, and a collection of up to date books allow the small business owner, entrepreneur, and job seeker access to a wealth of information.

City, County, State and Federal Government websites can be accessed via the internet at the Library.  City and County Governments, and local business related websites such as local area Chambers of Commerce have links on the Career and Small Business Center computers. State and Federal Government and Government Agency websites can be easily access directly on the web or via GALILEO’s “Government and Law” listing under the green “Browse by Subject” tab.

The Elbert County Library offers a extensive local Genealogical collection and Family Vertical File.  Many of the Family Files are the results of the tireless efforts of local volunteer genealogists.  Please click the link below to download our Family History Index.

In addition to many books and files of local families and histories, the library has local newspapers: The Elberton Star, Examiner, Beacon and Leader on microfilm from 1888 and The Elberton Star and Examiner in bound copies from early 1900’s. GALILEO offers access to databases and licensed websites such as Ancestry.com (library edition), Census Data, Archive Finder, and ArchiveGrid, HeritageQuest, digitized historic newspaper archives from Athens, Columbus, Macon, Milledgeville, and Atlanta, the Digital Library of Georgia, as well as links to the Georgia Department of Archives and History website and many other resources.

The Career and Small Business Center has many books job seekers will find helpful for creating resumes, improving marketable skills and for planning a job search strategy. Career Center computers feature links to websites from local, regional and state businesses and governments, area Chambers of Commerce, and job search sites. These computers also have a resume writing program, WinWay Resume, that is very helpful for both first time and experienced resume composers.

In need of quick information and no time to visit the library?
You may call the library at 706-283-5375 for telephone reference or e-mail a librarian at agrace@elbertcountypl.org or jburroughs@elbertcountypl.org .