Your Local Public Library

Your local public library contains thousands of online and onsite resources. Titles available vary with each library; however, most carry specialized references materials such as medical or legal dictionaries. Resources in public library specialized reference sections tend to be current, and may be updated more often than material in the general collection.

A library's general collection non-fiction titles give more comprehensive coverage of a topic. If your topic is older, you might find it covered in a non-reference book. Overall, public libraries serve adults' general information needs, which means, they do not serve the needs of industries and private or public companies. On the topic of insurance for example, a public library might collect insurance resources to help a person evaluate and purchase insurance. Electronic resources listed below serve a wider audience.

To find material in your public library try one or all of the following:

• Query the on-line catalog using a keyword or subject search. Record the call number to locate material in the shelves.
• Look for a sign for the REFERENCE section. It may only be a few rows of books. Walk down the rows and look at the titles. Note promising resources for use on your topic.
• Ask a Librarian, especially one at a Reference Desk, for assistance finding material on your topic.