This page offers links to resources that are freely available on the web or which are available for free to public library card holders (usually accessible remotely). Databases from the six largest counties/library systems in each state have been included in this guide. The links to public library resources will identify the subscribing library using the abbreviations below. The remaining tabs in this guide list a mix of free and paid resources but may be worth a look in case your organization also maintains a subscription to one or more of these resources.
View instructions for how to get a library card and who is eligible for one can be found using the links in the chart below. Many libraries offer cards to anyone living in that state or to those living in nearby cities and counties even if they are located in another state. Some libraries also make cards available to those outside the immediate service area for a fee.
MARYLAND | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON, DC |
---|---|---|
Arlington County Public Library (ACPL) | ||
Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) | Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) | |
Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) | Fairfax County Public Library (FPL) | |
Howard County Library System (HCLS) | Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) | |
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) | Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL) | |
Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCML) | Prince William Public Library (PWPL) |
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
AACPL | Anne Arundel County Public Library |
BCPL | Baltimore County Public Library |
FCPL | Frederick County Public Libraries |
HCLS | Howard County Library System |
MCPL | Montgomery County Public Libraries |
PGCML | Prince George's County Memorial Library |
Under Construction
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
ACPL | Arlington County Public Library |
CCPL | Chesterfield County Public Library |
FPL | Fairfax County Public Library |
HCPL | Henrico County Public Library |
LCPL | Loudoun County Public Library |
PWPL | Prince William Public Library |
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
AACPL | Anne Arundel County Public Library |
MCPL | Montgomery County Public Library |
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
PWPL | Prince William Public Library |
NOTE: some social media sites require you to create an account before you can search for individual or company profiles. See the Restraints on Usage page for guidance.
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY |
---|---|
AACPL | Anne Arundel County Public Library |
BCPL | Baltimore County Public Library |
HCLS | Howard County Library System |
MCPL | Montgomery County Public Libraries |
PGCML | Prince George's County Memorial Library System |
Under Construction
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
ACPL | Arlington County Public Library |
FPL | Fairfax County Public Library |
HCPL | Henrico County Public Library |
LCPL | Loudoun County Public Library |
PWPL | Prince William Public Library |
Also see additional links on the Researching Property tab.
Under Construction
The amount of information available for a particular company depends on a number of factors. Information is more widely available for public companies (those traded on a stock exchange) as these business entities must file detailed reports about their operations to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Generally, the larger the company then the more information will be available for it including financial statements, employment and market share numbers and other more specialized information. Locating information about privately held companies can be much more difficult, especially for very small companies or closely held business entities that may be operated by a sole proprietor or a small number of owners/employees. For some of the smallest companies, you may not be able to locate much more than directory/contact information and the name and contact information for the owner or principal officer.
Information about public companies is much more likely to be available from free web resources while private company information (other than basic directory information from the Secretary of State) will usually be found only in proprietary paid databases. The resources on this page are broken down by type of information sought and notes are made on those resources that offer at least some coverage of privately held businesses.
See news resources listed in the News & Media Presence box for additional search options.
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
AACPL | Anne Arundel County Public Library |
BCPL | Baltimore County Public Library |
FCPL | Frederick County Public Libraries |
HCLS | Howard County Library System |
MCPL | Montgomery County Public Libraries |
PGCML | Prince George's County Memorial Library System |
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
ACPL | Arlington County Public Library |
CCPL | Chesterfield County Public Library |
FPL | Fairfax County Public Library |
HCPL | Henrico County Public Library |
LCPL | Loudoun County Public Library |
PWPL | Prince William Public Library |
ABBREVIATION |
LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
AACPL |
Anne Arundel County Public Library |
BCPL |
Baltimore County Public Library |
FCPL |
Frederick County Public Libraries |
HCLS |
Howard County Library System |
MCPL |
Montgomery County Public Libraries |
PGCML |
Prince George's County Memorial Library |
ABBREVIATION | LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
ACPL | Arlington County Public Library |
CCPL | Chesterfield County Public Library |
FPL | Fairfax County Public Library |
HCPL | Henrico County Public Library |
LCPL | Loudoun County Public Library |
PWPL | Prince William Public Library |
Business licenses in Virginia are awarded by individual counties and municipalities. It is up to each jurisdiction to determine what businesses require a license and whether or not those license databases will be made available online for searching.
ABBREVIATION |
LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
AACPL |
Anne Arundel County Public Library |
BCPL |
Baltimore County Public Library |
FCPL |
Frederick County Public Libraries |
HCLS |
Howard County Library System |
MCPL |
Montgomery County Public Libraries |
PGCML |
Prince George's County Memorial Library |
Under Construction
ABBREVIATION |
LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
FPL |
Fairfax County Public Library |
See the Civil & Criminal Filings & Cases box for additional resources.
ABBREVIATION |
LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
AACPL |
Anne Arundel County Public Library |
HCLS |
Howard County Library System |
ABBREVIATION |
LIBRARY NAME |
---|---|
ACPL |
Arlington County Public Library |
PWPL |
Prince William Public Library |