General Reference

Gale Virtual Reference Library
This extensive collection of specialized reference materials allows you to search through many volumes at one time using key words. A good place for facts and background information.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

• Acronym Finder - Searchable database of common acronyms
• Internet Acronym Server - Searchable database of common acronyms

Biographies

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress - Biographical information on members of Congress
• Biography - Searchable database of over 25,000 biographies
• Information Please - Biography - Searchable database of over 30,000 brief biographies

Consumer Information

• Kelley Bluebook - Check out value of new and used cars
• FirstGov for Consumers - A one-stop link to Federal information sources
• Consumer World - Founded by a consumer lawyer and advocate for consumer rights

Currency and Exchange Rates

• Foreign Exchange Currency Converter - Convert over 160 currencies
• Universal Currency Converter - Another currency converter

Dictionaries

• Bartleby.Com - A treasure of online reference materials, including dictionaries
• Dictionary of Slang - Slang with a UK twist
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online - One of the best online dictionaries
• Wordsmyth - A dictionary with an integrated thesaurus
• MedlinePlus - An easy-to-use medical dictionary

Directories

• Anyone Who Online Directory - A place to find an address or telephone numbers
• Internet 800 Directory - Toll Free Numbers
• USPS Zip Code Directory - Searchable zip codes

Encyclopedias

• Information Please - A comprehensive resource of electronic information
• ArtCyclopedia - An encyclopedia featuring art and artists
• Encyclopedia.Com - Scroll down to get beyond the advertising to use this source
• Symbols.com - Search by word or symbol description to find what the symbol means

Government

• Law Library of Congress - Everything you wanted to know about the Law
• United States Government Manual - The handbook of the Federal government
• Government Resources - House of Representatives and Senate information
• Government Printing Office - GPO Access
• United States Copyright Office - Basics of researching, registering, or recording a copyright
• Campus Guide to Copyright Compliance - Copyright Clearance Center on Academic Copyright issues
• The World Factbook - Select a country from the list and find factual information organized and presented by the CIA
• Statistical Abstract of the United States - PDF version of socio ad economic information on the United States

Handbooks and Almanacs

• Old Farmer's Almanac - Weather, puzzles, sunset, sunrise, and more
• 50 States.com - Choose your state and find its history, flag, bird, climate, etc.
• Nobel Prize - All you ever wanted to know about the Nobel Prize, including winners

Maps and Geography

• Map Machine - A quality source of maps from National Geographic
• MapQuest - [http://www.mapquest.com/] Street maps
• Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection - University of Texas at Austin extensive Collection
• US Census Bureau Online Maps - Maps based on Census Data

Quotation Sources

• A short Dictionary of Science Quotations - Natural Science Quotations
• Bartlett's Quotations - Choose Bartlett's on the pull down menu for quotations searchable by subject
• The Quotations Page - Quotations searchable by author and subject

Time and Calendars

• This Date in History - Find who was born today, what happened today in history
• The Official U.S. Time - Find the exact time anywhere
• 10,000 Year Calendar - Find when your birthday will be in 2033