Champaign County Library Offers Free Automotive Repair Help Online

| By Gale Staff | Champaign County residents can access reliable automotive help online 24/7 through ChiltonLibrary, a resource available on the Champaign County Library website. Trusted by automotive enthusiasts for more than 100 years, ChiltonLibrary supports “do-it-yourselfers” of all skill levels. No other source contains more years, makes, and models. “ChiltonLibrary helps patrons save … Read more

Libraries Can Help You with Your Car Needs

| By Gale Staff | The Columbus Public Library offers ChiltonLibrary, providing residents with 24/7 car care knowledge including maintenance and specification tables, step by step service and repair instructions, a labor estimating tool, vacuum and wiring diagrams, close-up photographs and illustrations, and of course a print tool so you can print out exactly what you … Read more

An Inside Look at ChiltonLibrary and Car Care Programming Ideas

| By Holly Hibner | Here in Michigan, we take our automobiles pretty seriously; it is very common for laypeople to perform routine maintenance and basic repairs on their own vehicles. My husband wouldn’t dream of paying for an oil change or a tire rotation! But when both got new vehicles in 2016, general maintenance wasn’t as easy … Read more

Car Tips: What To Do When Stuck in the Snow

| By Tracy Junker | Before you get stuck in the snow, here are some items to keep in your vehicle and some tips on how to get moving again. What to Carry in your Vehicle Small or collapsible shovel Boots (if you don’t regularly wear them) Sturdy pair of gloves or mittens and a … Read more

Baby, You Can Drive my Car

Posted on April 18, 2016

By Mary Kelly

One of my favorite databases to play with is Gale’s Chilton collection. Not because I am a car person. (To me a car is a giant purse on wheels.) Not because as a librarian it is the easiest way to do car repair reference (which is very true). The Chilton database is more like my own personal marriage saver. This is because I have been married to an auto engineer for more than thirty years and car vocabulary is constantly the lingua franca of our household. This arrangement is great since I really don’t have to worry about car stuff. However, I do have to listen to all sorts of talk about cars. I am also told (in great detail) about car maintenance issues and why it is important.

Chilton is my personal car vocabulary resource/translator for about 75% of our conversations. (Yeah, this database is bookmarked for me.) It helps me explain my car problems to the Engineer husband, followed by criticisms of my general lack of car knowledge and failure to follow regular maintenance schedules.  This discussion is usually punctuated by people shouting and swearing. (Note: The current version does not include any definitions for the accompanying swearing associated with car repairs. Perhaps Chilton’s can consider adding swear words as a “feature” in future releases, until that happens, you are on your own.)

Read moreBaby, You Can Drive my Car

Keep the Little Deuce Coupe Running Strong

April is National Car Care Month and America has a serious love affair with cars. According to The World Bank, there are 786 motor vehicles per 1,000 people in the US – the highest ratio in the world. The birthplace of mass automobile manufacturing remains its stronghold. And for a large number of car-owners, maintaining and servicing their own vehicle is part of the fun; for others, it’s a necessity.

For patrons looking for do-it-yourself auto repair and maintenance information, you can’t beat the venerable Chilton’s repair manuals. Car-lovers have depended on these sources for dependable, up-to-date information since Kaisers roared down the street. Today auto enthusiasts of all skill levels can access auto repair information in ChiltonLibrary, the continually updated online resource.

ChiltonLibrary provides access to repair, maintenance, and service information on cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, with videos, photos, and animations, step-by-step procedures, and other in-demand features. Recent product enhancements include:

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Announcing Audio Component in ChiltonLibrary

Chilton Auto Repair Library Resource

Posted on June 10, 2015

ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology is now available in the Repair and Bulletin/Recalls sections of ChiltonLibrary. ReadSpeaker® is the worldwide leader in online text to speech and its functionality lets users hear the article read out loud, as the words spoken are highlighted on the screen.

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ChiltonLibrary: Highly Recommended and “Makes Users Happy”

Chilton Auto

Tune up your patron’s auto repair know-how!

For reliable car repair information, turn to Chilton, the car-care experts for more than 100 years. Find the most up-to-date coverage for almost every year, make, and model. Only available online! 

  • Save time and money with do-it-yourself car repairs
  • Access 24/7 from library, home or on-the-go
  • Look up recalls and service bulletins
  • Find estimated labor time
  • Prepare for ASE mechanic certification with test prep quizzes

In April, both Library Journal and Booklist reviewed ChiltonLibrary. Read what they had to say! 

Read moreChiltonLibrary: Highly Recommended and “Makes Users Happy”

The History of Transcontinental Travel Part 2: Wheels and Wings

Chilton DIY

By Ryan Price

In October of 1893, General Roy Stone, a Civil War hero and roads advocate, was appointed to be in charge of the new Office of Road Inquiry (ORI) within the Department of Agriculture. With a budget of $10,000, ORI promoted new rural road development to serve the wagons, coaches, and bicycles on America’s dirt roads.

Read moreThe History of Transcontinental Travel Part 2: Wheels and Wings