Consumer Reports

If you like the magazine,
 just wait until you see the website

Finding the right product can be hard.  Companies trying to sell you a product endlessly claim theirs is the best or has the best features.  There are often so many bells and whistles that sorting out what is necessary becomes a chore.  Sending tweets from your fridge might sound cool, but does it help your food keep?

If you turn to the library for reliable information then you are in luck: the Worcester Public Library makes Consumer Reports available to you free from the comfort of your own home.  Consumer Reports is an independent non-profit consumer advocacy group which tests and reviews a variety of products with the consumer in mind.  Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports is a long standing trusted source for information about everyday products.

Getting to Consumer Reports is as easy.  Just go to WPL's online databases page in the Resource tab and click on the home icon where Consumer Reports is listed (click here to get to the database page directly).  Enter your WPL library card number and password on the following page and you are in.

The website is broken down into three main sections: Product Reviews, News, and Issues that matter. You'll see those tabs at the top of the screen and can hover over each to see the menu.

Under Issues That Matter, you can find informative pages about food safety, data privacy, car safety & efficiency, and important for these times, the Coronavirus.  The Coronavirus page is a great resource covering how to keep yourself safe, what to do if you get sick, how to deal with being at home, and other useful info.

The News section covers relevant, current consumer topics.  Currently there is some good information about Coronavirus such as 'What to do if your appliances break during Coronavirus,' robocall scams related to the virus, and privacy issues related to Zoom, which many are using for working at home.  Coronavirus aside, you will always find relevant information here; articles about lawnmowers in the spring, leaf blowers in the fall, and snowblowers in the winter.  You will also get news about auto recalls, which itself makes the news section worth a weekly peek.

Product Reviews are the mainstay of consumer reports.  In this section, you can find reviews on information for everything from cars, appliances, and electronics, to blood glucose meters, sunscreen, and baby strollers.  You can even find information and review for intangibles such as credit cards, airline travel, and car insurance. For each type of item there are not only reviews, but buying guides which tell you what to look for when buying, important features to look for, how to choose which is right for you, and recommended products.  Unlike random online reviews, Consumer Reports tells you how the products were tested, and uses measuring devices most people don't have easy access to.

Consumer Reports Holiday Gift Guide

Need help finding the best brands for your holiday purchases?  Before you head to the stores or start shopping online, check out the Consumer Reports Holiday Gift Guide.  

You will find:

❅Top gift ideas
❅Holiday deals
❅Buying guides
❅Safe gathering suggestions 
❅Do’s & Don’ts for safe holiday cooking
❅Holiday shopping tips & advice 

You also have FREE access to the online version of Consumer Reports with your Worcester Public Library card.   If you’re a fan of the magazine, you’ll enjoy being able to view the same helpful information from home.

To access Consumer Reports, go to WPL's website and then to the online databases page in the Resources tab and click on the home icon where Consumer Reports is listed. All you need to enter is your WPL library card number and password.  You can also click here for direct access to the database page.  

To borrow the print issue you can place a hold for pickup at the main library or one of the branches.  

1. First go to account login at  mywpl.org.  Enter your library card number and password. This will bring you to the online catalog.
2.  Enter "Consumer Reports" in the search bar and select "serial publications & magazines" in the format drop down menu.  Hit enter.
3. Click on the "Place Hold" button.  You can then choose a specific issue using the "Select a Part" drop down menu.
4. Select which issue you want, choose how you want the library to notify you when it's ready for pick up, and which library you want to pick up at.  Click submit.

For more information on Consumer Reports click here to see our previous blog.

Black Friday Sales: How to Shop Strategically Using Consumer Reports

 

How do you know if a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal is good or too good to be true? Do your research beforehand by accessing our Consumer Reports database for free with your WPL library card! You can read articles and topical sections (such as their The Ultimate Guide to Black Friday Deals and Sales), check out product reviews, and find out about recalls on a variety of products. Just go to mywpl.org - Resources - Online Databases and click on Home where Consumer Reports is listed. Enter your WPL library card number and password on the following page and you are in!

We also have print issues of Consumer Reports available from our Newspapers & Magazines Department. Ask our library staff if you need assistance locating a current issue or a back issue. Of course, you can also put print copies of Consumer Reports on hold for yourself to pick up at the main library or one of the branches.  

1. First go to account login at mywpl.org.  Enter your library card number and password. This will bring you to the online catalog.
2. Enter "Consumer Reports" in the search bar and select "title" in the format drop down menu.  Click "search."
3. Click on the "Place Hold" button.  You can then choose a specific issue of the magazine by clicking "Specific Volume," and selecting the specific volume from the drop-down menu.
4. Select which issue you want, choose how you want the library to notify you when it's ready for pick up, and which library you want to pick up the magazine.  Click "place hold."

One last deal that is the best deal ever: a library card from your local library! You can borrow so many things (not just books!) for free with your library card! We no longer have overdue fines on our materials so as long as you return any borrowed materials in a relatively timely fashion, you wouldn't owe anything. Visit any of our branches anytime we're open to get a Worcester Public Library. During this holiday season, that is something for which we can all be thankful!

Free Access Consumer Reports Online through the library

Did you know you can access  Consumer Reports online for free through the library's website with your Worcester Public Library card?

To access:
Go to the library's website at www.worcpublib.org
Click on "Online Databases" on the left column
Select "Consumer" under "By Subjects"
Click on the little house icon to access if you are home or in your office
(Worcester Public Library card is required for access.)

Now you can research your next purchase or find information and advice on many topics from the comfort of your own home or office.  In August 2012 issue, you will find recommendations for e-readers, laptops, tablet and an article on Hospital Safety.

• Laptop Ratings and Reliability
• Tablet Ratings 
• E-Book Readers
• Cell Phones and Services
• How safe is your hospital?

Consumer Reports is just one of many online databases and resources made available though the library.  Contact us with any questions or comments.

Access Consumer Reports Magazine Online!

Did you know that a Worcester Public Library card provides you with free online access to the Consumer Reports magazine? Use this great resources to find ratings on everyday products, search full -text articles from the monthly issues and research the buying guide.

Getting ready to host an outdoor summer party? Check out the ratings on Gas Grills and Lawn Movers to get your yard in perfect shape!

Interested in buying an eReaders? Need a new Cell Phone? There is something of interest here for everyone! Click on the image below to browse inside the most recent May 2014 issue.....



To access:
Go to the library's website at www.worcpublib.org
Click on Online Databases on the left column
Under Quick Access, click on EBSCO databases
Click on ConsumerReports.org
(Worcester Public Library card is required for access.)

Consumer Reports is just one of many online databases and resources made available though the library.  Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.

Gift Ideas: Best Products of the Year (Consumer Reports)

Don't know what to buy,  check out "Best products of the year: 475+ top picks and great buys" Consumer Reports magazine: November 2012

 This ultimate buyer's guide includes the best electronics, appliances, and other products among the thousands our secret shoppers bought throughout the year and that our testers rigorously tested.

All of the products listed are recommended, which means that they performed well in Consumer Reports' labs, and where they’re able to assess a brand’s reliability, they believe the brand to be reliable. Many choices are included in each category, so you’re bound to find at least a few that meet your needs.

In the middle part of each page in the PDF, they highlight CR Best Buys across a range of prices. CR Best Buys perform well in our tests and are of exceptional value.

Email pchen@worcpublib.org if you have any questions.

Connect to online resources from the catalog

Connect to your favorite online resource directly from the library catalog! The new Aspen Discovery layer on our catalog allows us to highlight databases using placards. For example, if you type “product reviews” into the catalog, the below Consumer Reports placard will pop up along with books related to the keyword.

While this feature allows us to highlight specific resources, it enables you to locate them easily and also find related resources. Check the placards below for some keywords you can use to pull these up in the catalog.

Consumer Reports, Product Reviews and Product Comparison.

Craft, Hobby, Hobbies, Crafts, Tutorials, Exercise, Fitness, Crochet, Knitting, Sewing, Cake Decorating, Woodworking, Photography, painting, Drawing, Classes, Needlecraft, Handicraft, Quilting and Wildlife Photography.

Business, Products, Manufacturing and Consumer Data.

Teen, Tween, YA, Young Adult, Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Common Core, AP Classes, AP English, Classics, Middle School, Enhanced Book and Audio Enhanced Book.

At this time, resources owned by WPL are the ones with placards in the catalog and require a Worcester Public Library card for remote access. Check our databases page for a complete list of online resources available through the Worcester Public Library, Massachusetts Library System and C/WMars. 

Consumer Reports Magazine Online

Getting ready to host an outdoor summer party? Need to check out ratings on Gas Grills and Lawn Movers to get your yard in perfect shape? Need a new washer dryer for your home? You will find something of interest for everyone in Consumer Reports Magazine! Now you can research your next purchase or find information and advice on many topics from the comfort of your own home or office. Use this great resource to find ratings on everyday products, search full-text articles from the monthly issues and research the buying guide.

Go to mywpl.org and click on Research, then Online Databases. At the bottom of the screen, click on By Title and then click on the little house icon to access. A Worcester Public Library card is required to access this database remotely.

Health and Fitness Resources at WPL

Whether your health and fitness goals are to move more, eat more nutrient-dense foods, or reduce stress, sugar, or alcohol, Worcester Public Library is here to help! We offer a variety of fitness and health related classes and workshops--on site and in-person--as well as online asynchronous fitness classes and online health resources available 24/7. Our Library of Things has outdoor games and health and fitness equipment for at-home use, and our circulating collections range from government publications on health topics to books, DVDS, and audiobooks on self-help topics, diseases and conditions, cookbooks to support a variety of diets, fitness resources, and sports and recreation titles.

In-Person Programs and Events

The Worcester Public Library offers a range of classes and workshops, from Zumba to probiotic pickling to aromatherapy for health and relaxation. Popular recurring programs follow; preview a complete list of health and wellness activities this summer, or visit our online calendar.

De-stress with Dogs with Tufts Paws for People! - Visit with a registered* therapy dog to bring a little rest and relaxation to your day. Therapy animals* are generally privately owned pets who are brought by their handlers to places to bring joy and smiles.

Nutrition Classes with Judy Palken, Registered Dietitian - This summer, Judy will be offering programs on diet and lifestyle changes you can make to control diabetes (and to prevent it); food choices to stabilize mood and increase feelings of well-being while  avoiding energy crashes and emotional distress; and a session on our history with alcohol and how to enjoy it responsibly. 

Zumba with Alina Khaspekov, certified Zumba instructor - Zumba  is a high energy, calorie-burning fitness class that uses pop and Latin music to create a dance-party atmosphere. Low-intensity and high-intensity moves are easy to follow for all level participants who can set their own pace.  It is an effective and fun cardio workout that melts fat, strengthens core, and improves flexibility.

Online Resources, available 24/7

Craft and Hobby's Fitness Classes
Not ready to Zumba with other people? Our Craft and Hobby database has a collection of short workout videos, from cardio to beginning ballet to yoga, all of which can be done in the privacy of your own space. Modules are short, instructors are professionals, and a variety of topics allows exploration of  contemporary dance, chair yoga, and ballroom dance. Access Craft & Hobby from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or in the library -- just keep your headphones on if you're dancing in our stacks!

Health Databases

Many health researchers start off with Dr. Google, but may not realize the first results are AI generated content or ads. How do you wade through the muck to find accurate, authoritative, vetted health information? Starting your search in a health database provides encyclopedic articles, multimedia resources, peer-reviewed research studies, and evidence-based news results--without AI, and ad-free! 

America's News Magazines has a variety of articles from selected publications - here are some health and fitness related highlights from within the database. You can read issues by date, or search across 20+ years of archives. Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.

BioPharm International integrates of science and business of biopharmaceutical development, and manufacturing. This collection provides practical, peer-reviewed technical articles to enable biopharmaceutical professionals to perform their jobs more effectively and make both sound business and technical decisions.

Children's Guide: Harvard Health provides expert, evidence-based guidance on child development, and family wellness in lay-person language for parents and caregivers.

Diagnostic Tests and Surgical Procedures: Harvard Health offers detailed explanations of common Diagnostic Tests and Medical Procedures: blood work, X-rays to advanced imaging, and biopsies, with expert advice on screenings for preventative care.

Harvard Health Newsletters provides overviews on everything from hair loss to gut health to natural remedies (palmetto for prostate health?) to cardiac care at home.

Harvard Medical School Guides provides information on all kinds of health-related topics for the general public, on all kinds of health-related topics: plant-based eating, total hip replacements, emotional intelligence, weight-loss medications, migraines.

Gale Databases are accessible in full-text from anywhere in the Commonwealth, with general interest magazines and professional academic articles.

Gale OneFile: Health & Medicine is a resource for the general public--search a full range of health-related issues, from current disease and disorder information to alternative medical practices. Browse by topic, search by keyword, or limit to a specific publication. Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.

Gale OneFile: Nursing and Allied Health is a resource for nursing students and nursing professionals working in the field with full-text academic articles to support specialized care, treatment, and patient management.  Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.

Gale OneFile: Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is a resource with academic articles on sports medicine, physical therapy and fitness. Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.

Gale OneFile: Psychology is a resource for professionals and consumers, with academic research in all fields of psychology: abnormal, biological, cognitive, comparative, developmental, personality, quantitative, social, and all areas of applied psychology.  Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.

Consumer Reports offers product reviews on health and wellness items like insect repellent, sunscreen, athletic shoes, and adhesive bandages, medical devices like hearing aids and rollators, and quality of life improvement items like bathroom scales and air filters. There is also a Health section on the database,  as well as expert articles on topics like yoga, supplements, vaccinations, and more Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.

Library of Things

The Worcester Public Library has a variety of toys, games, equipment and kits to allow consumers to try before they buy, or borrow items to improve their quality of life, from bike locks to wifi hotspots, to musical instruments. If our metal detector gets you out and walking the beach, it's a win-win! Preview the complete collection  at mywpl.libguides.com/WPLlibraryofthings, or select from the following categories:

• Wellness tools like a blood pressure cuff, a grip strength trainer, and a light therapy lamp; 
• Outdoor recreation equipment like a hammock for relaxing, binoculars for birding, and telescopes for stargazing; 
• Outdoor games like croquet, badminton, and bocce for light physical activity in your own backyard;
• Yard and gardening tools to create a space that feels healthy and happy. 

Collections

158 - Our self-help collection offers materials on psychology, positive affirmations, increasing self-esteem, transcendental meditation, and more.

300 - underlying social, political, and policy aspects of medical issues  and health care (poverty, racism).

610-618 - traditional and alternative therapies for a variety of topics, including body systems, specific diseases and disorders, nutrition, yoga, essential oils, sleep, and more.

641 - cookbooks for a variety of diets: let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food with cookbooks featuring low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar, gluten free, paleo, and other eating plans to potentially reduce disease, lower inflammation, and control symptoms.

790 - sports and recreation, including how to play/rules of the game for sportsball, and materials on swimming, fishing, and camping.

917 - travel guides to locations in New England to walk, hike, canoe and kayak.

While the library staff cannot give medical advice, we are here to help you find resources to improve your health and well-being, with your dignity preserved, privacy prioritized, and confidentiality guaranteed. Visit during open hours, or use our Ask a Librarian service to get answers to your pressing health questions. Be well!