Question

Tools                    

I need to find quick facts

Everyday Mysteries -This Library of Congreess web site provides answers to life's most interesting questions through a scientific point of view. All the questions presented on this Web site were asked by researchers and answered by librarians from the Library's Science Reference Services. 

HowStuffWorks - Find out how just about anything works!

Information Please Almanac - Like its print version, this almanac provides factual information on a wide range of topics.  It also includes free access to the Random House Webster's College Dictionary and the Columbia Encyclopedia.

LibrarySpot -  This is an award winning collection of e-reference sources for just about anyone.

World Factook - Provides detailed country information.

I need a few high-quality academic sites on a broad or popular topic.

Infomine - This is a virtual library of Internet resources. Despite it's orientation towards students and faculty at the university level, this subject directory can be quite useful for high school age students or other general users. 

Librarians' Internet Index - The Librarians' Internet Index "provides a well-organized point of access for reliable, trustworthy, librarian-selected websites." It is considered by some a "must have" tool for any reference librarian. 

Open Directory Project - "The Open Directory Project is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web." The selectors for this subject directory are thousands of volunteers who sign up to add web sites by interest area.

I need to find the spelling, definition, or a synonym of a word.

AskOxford.com - Provides searchable access to the Companion Oxford English Dictionary.

One Look Dictionaries - This site allows you to search simultaneously several dictionaries for word definitions.

Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases - The Internet edition of Roget's Thesaurus.

yourDictionary.com - A directory of dictionaries and glossaries available online. Includes dictionaries in languages other than English, specialty dictionaries indexed by subject, translation services, and sites related to word games. A search box for individual word look-up is also supplied.

Also, Google  suggests alternative spellings; may also use define: <add your word> (e.g. define:bureaucracy).

I need biographical information.

Biography.com - Search thousands of popular figures past and present. This is a commercial site for the Biography television show.

Gallery of Achievers -The focus of this web site is on individuals who shaped the 20th century with their accomplishments.

I need biography and/or criticism on a literary author

Contemporary Writers in the UK - Searchable web site contains up-to-date profiles of some of the UK and Commonwealth's most important living writers - biographies, bibliographies, critical reviews, prizes and photographs. Searchable by author, genre, nationality, gender, publisher, book title, date of publication and prize name and date.

LitLink - This site is a product of the Bedford/St. Martin's publisher and deals with literary research.  The main web page presents the different literary genres (fiction, drama, essays, poetry, critical theory), subarranged by author. For each author there is a brief biographical statement and several links to web sites for additional research.  LitLinks also includes a "research room" with information on the research process, interactive tutorials, and other research links.

Online Literary Criticism Collection - This is an excellent site for biographical information and literary criticism primarily on British and American authors.  This highly selective collection can be browsed by author, by title, or by literary period.

I need government information.

FirstGov - The official portal of the Executive Branch to U.S. Government agency websites and government documents.

Google UncleSam - Searches only government and military domain websites.

I need information on a health related topic

Disease or Condition, National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NIH) - Information for investigators, consumers, and practitioners of alternative medicine.

MayoClinic.com - Designed for health care consumers, this site includes numerous articles featuring Harvard Medical School's consumer health information, a medical dictionary, a search engine etc.

Medical encyclopedia - The National Library of Medicine's encyclopedia includes articles about diseases, tests, symptoms, injuries, and surgeries. It also contains an extensive library of medical photographs and illustrations.

National Institutes of Health - Health Information
Links to health information as well as drug information, clinical studies, and special programs.

I need information on a hot topic.

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) - A great web site for current "hot" issues of particular concern to ACLU. Use the menu to the right to select an issue and then to see related background information.

Behind the Headlines -  Provides background information related to the latest headlines. The web sources in this web site are selected  by subject specialists in British educational and research organizations.

Documents in the News: Current Events Research - This site identifies issues about government making news headlines and web sources with additional information.

Hot topics - Although this guide comes from a university library (California State University Library, Long Beach), it is a great web site for high school "hot topic" projects. It guides students in their selection of a research topic and provides links for information.

Multnomah County Library, Social Issues - This web page has been created to meet the needs of Multnomah County middle and high school students researching current social issues from multiple perspectives.

Public Agenda Online -  Provides facts and figures, different perspectives and analysis of public attitudes from surveys conducted by Public Agenda and by other respected polling and news organizations.

USNews.com - Provides access to current news events with background information for better understanding.  

I need statistics and polls on current issues.

FirstGov for Citizens -  Provides federal statistics, reports and other information on a variety of topics.

PollingReport - A nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion. The web site is updated after the release of new polls, which means almost daily.

Statistical Abstract of the United States - The primary source for statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States. Selected international data are also included.

Statistical Resources on the Web - This is a great web site for statistics.  Refers you to the best resources for statistical information on a wide variety of topics.

I need encyclopedic type of information.

Columbia Encyclopedia

EncyberPedia - A huge hot-linked listing of online encyclopedias.

Wikipedia - This is a volunteer-created encyclopedia.

Subject specific:

Animal info: information on rare, threatened and endangered mammals - This web site presents scientific information solely on rare, threatened, and endangered mammals throughout the world.  A great site to use for serious research.

Holocaust Encyclopedia - This web site is put together by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Insectclopedia - Comprehensive site about the world of insects ranges from identification to bug cuisine.

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

I need primary sources.

American Memory - This is the Library of Congress digital collection of over 7 million primary historical materials. Also included in this main web site is the Learning Page , a wonderfully designed site "designed to help educators use the American Memory Collections to teach history and culture."

Electronic Texts and Primary Sources - Offers an extensive list of web sites for primary research.

Spartacus Educational - This content rich web site covers primarily history of the US and Great Britain. Also includes information about Russia, Germany, and France. It provides access to primary sources such as personal accounts or other records. Note: you may need to scroll down to see results.

Using Primary Sources on the Web - This is a great guide on the use of the web for locating and evaluating primary sources.

I need to know how to cite sources in my paper using MLA or APA style of citations.

Documentation Styles - APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, etc. documentation styles from the University of Wisconsin.

Research and Documentation - A guide to finding and documenting sources in the Humanities (MLA), Social Sciences (APA), History (Chicago), and Sciences (CBE).

Below are examples of free online citation/bibliography generators:

KnighteCite Citation Creation Tool

Citation Machine

Easybib

OSLIS Citation Maker (use the link "Click here to use Citation Maker")

I need a virtual librarian.

L-net -  A 24/7 live chat service provided by the cooperation of public, academic, and school libraries in Oregon.  You and your students may access L-Net through the OSLIS web page.

Also, here's a message from L-Net.