REFERENCE LINKS
Check Out Our Print Resources Too!
This list began as a collection of reference works in our print collection that are available online. It will continue to grow as we add links to other helpful online resources and informational websites.
A to Z WEBSITES
PRPL Websites To Try
This list archives the links from the "Websites to Try” column in the Pearl River Public Library newsletter over the past ten years.
Ready Reference Center
Collection of websites organized by subjects from Abbreviations to Zoos, created by staff of the Middletown Thrall Library.
Ready Reference Center
Collection of websites organized by subjects from Abbreviations to Zoos, created by staff of the Middletown Thrall Library.
AUTOMOBILES
Edmunds
Search here for information on new cars and used cars by body type or make. The site also offers car reviews, tips on buying or leasing a car, financing and insuring one, and articles on car maintenance.
Kelley Blue Book
NADA Guides
Both sites offer tools to calculate retail or trade-in values of used cars, new car reviews and prices, and other automotive information. KBB focuses on automobiles while NADA also includes similar information on classic cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs.
Kelley Blue Book
NADA Guides
Both sites offer tools to calculate retail or trade-in values of used cars, new car reviews and prices, and other automotive information. KBB focuses on automobiles while NADA also includes similar information on classic cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs.
Learn about and compare the fuel efficiency of different models of cars using the Find and Compare function.
BOOKS AND READING
BookPage
BookPage is a monthly book review publication distributed to readers through subscribing bookstores and public libraries, including the Pearl River Public Library, and serves as a selection guide to the best new books published every month. The website includes all of the content of the print edition.
Top Books of 2011
Library Journal Best Books 2011: Genres (Mystery, SF/Fantasy, etc.)
CENSUS & STATISTICS
Statistical Abstract of the United States
The Statistical Abstract of the United States is the standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. It is also designed to serve as a guide to other statistical publications and sources. The website offers access to most of the annual volumes from 1878 to the final 2012 volume.
American Factfinder
Your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
CHARITIES
Charity Navigator
Find a charity you can trust by using Charity Navigator, America's premiere independent charity evaluator.
IRS Search for Charities: Online Version of Publication 78
Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. This online version is offered to help you conduct a more efficient search of these organizations.
Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. This online version is offered to help you conduct a more efficient search of these organizations.
Pennies for Charities
This Web site contains financial reports of charities active in NY, offering guidance for those considering donating to charity and links to other resources.
This Web site contains financial reports of charities active in NY, offering guidance for those considering donating to charity and links to other resources.
CITIES & TOWNS
CityTownInfo.com
CityTownInfo provides details on 20,000 US cities and towns, including population, property, schools, colleges, hotels, ancestry, political contributions, climate, zip codes, area codes, counties, airports, and much more.
CIVIL SERVICE
Test Guides for Local Exams
NYS Department of Civil Service test guides
are usually targeted to civil service exams for specific, entry-level titles. Published examination announcements will indicate if a test guide is available. Test guides are posted on this web page 60 days
prior to the date of the written test.
CONSUMER
Compare Nursing Homes
Select nursing homes to compare by distance from zip code or city, by county, or by state. View overall ratings or ratings of health inspections, staffing, or quality measures.
Consumer Action Handbook
The Consumer Action Handbook is published annually by the Federal Citizen Information Center at the General Services Administration. Inside, you'll find helpful tips about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, along with many other useful topics.
CPI Detailed Report
This archive of the Consumer Price Index Detailed Report gives access to the monthly reports since the October 2000 issue.
NYS Division of Consumer Protection
This division of the NY Department of State serves as the state’s top watchdog and think tank on a wide range of issues. Whether resolving consumer complaints, educating the public about product recalls, or representing consumers before public utilities and other state and federal agencies, the Division of Consumer Protection is committed to providing the public with information to make informed decisions.
The Consumer Action Handbook is published annually by the Federal Citizen Information Center at the General Services Administration. Inside, you'll find helpful tips about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, along with many other useful topics.
CPI Detailed Report
This archive of the Consumer Price Index Detailed Report gives access to the monthly reports since the October 2000 issue.
NYS Division of Consumer Protection
This division of the NY Department of State serves as the state’s top watchdog and think tank on a wide range of issues. Whether resolving consumer complaints, educating the public about product recalls, or representing consumers before public utilities and other state and federal agencies, the Division of Consumer Protection is committed to providing the public with information to make informed decisions.
COUNTRIES
Background Notes on Countries of the World
Background Notes include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty. Updates are added frequently.
Country Studies
These profiles offer brief, summarized information on a country’s historical background, geography, society, economy, transportation and telecommunications, government and politics, and national security.
Background Notes include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty. Updates are added frequently.
Country Studies
These profiles offer brief, summarized information on a country’s historical background, geography, society, economy, transportation and telecommunications, government and politics, and national security.
CRIME
Uniform Crime Reports : Crime in the United States
CIUS is a comprehensive annual publication in which the FBI compiles volume and rate of crime offenses for the nation, the states, and individual agencies. This report also includes arrest, clearance, and law enforcement employee data. Other reports also provided are Hate Crime Statistics and Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted.
CIUS is a comprehensive annual publication in which the FBI compiles volume and rate of crime offenses for the nation, the states, and individual agencies. This report also includes arrest, clearance, and law enforcement employee data. Other reports also provided are Hate Crime Statistics and Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted.
DIGITAL LITERACY
DigitalLiteracy.gov
This site acts as a gateway to materials, research, online learning tools and more to help librarians and educators access and share materials to use when training learners of all ages on topics such as information literacy, computer skills, digital literacies and more. The Dept. of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) created the portal in partnership with nine federal agencies to provide librarians, teachers, workforce trainers and others a central location to share digital literacy content and practices. Individuals are welcome to visit the site to find resources, upload their own and/or connect with others who are offering training on these topics.
EDUCATION
The Condition of Education
The Condition of Education (COE) is a congressionally mandated annual report that summarizes important developments and trends in education using the latest available statistics.
Higher Education Disability Services Directory
This directory provides information about services available to students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education - SUNY and CUNY; independent colleges and universities; and degree-granting proprietary colleges throughout New York State.
Peterson's College Search
Search for the perfect college for you and learn about the entire college application process.
Peterson's Online & Distance Learning
Using distance learning tools from the comfort of your own home, you can receive a degree from an accredited distance learning program online and earn a certificate award, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, or complete your distance learning degree via the Internet.
The Condition of Education (COE) is a congressionally mandated annual report that summarizes important developments and trends in education using the latest available statistics.
Higher Education Disability Services Directory
This directory provides information about services available to students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education - SUNY and CUNY; independent colleges and universities; and degree-granting proprietary colleges throughout New York State.
Peterson's College Search
Search for the perfect college for you and learn about the entire college application process.
Peterson's Online & Distance Learning
Using distance learning tools from the comfort of your own home, you can receive a degree from an accredited distance learning program online and earn a certificate award, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, or complete your distance learning degree via the Internet.
GOVERNMENT, USA
FDsys: Federal Digital System
Through the Government Printing Office's FDsys free online access, you are able to search or browse for and then download official documents and publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.
USA.gov
As the U.S. government's official web portal, USA.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. USA.gov also serves as the catalyst for a growing electronic government.
Through the Government Printing Office's FDsys free online access, you are able to search or browse for and then download official documents and publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.
USA.gov
As the U.S. government's official web portal, USA.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. USA.gov also serves as the catalyst for a growing electronic government.
GRANTS
Find Grant Opportunities
This page of the Grafts.gov website offers the ability to search for discretionary grant opportunites offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies.
HEALTH
Compare Nursing Homes
Select nursing homes to compare by distance from zip code or city, by
county, or by state. View overall ratings or ratings of health
inspections, staffing, or quality measures.
NORD Rare Disease Information
The National
Organization for Rare Diseases offers free, although limited, access to its online databases of rare diseases and patient organizations.
Free online access to several Merck Manuals for healthcare professionals, patients, pet owners, and veterinarians.
HEALTH, DOCTORS
AMA DoctorFinder
This online physician locator provides comprehensive information on individual physicians from which you can select a physician or verify the credentials of a known physician, and it includes more than 814,000 AMA member and non-member doctors of medicine (MD) and doctors of osteopathy or osteopathic medicine (DO).
HEALTH, DRUGS
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
Best Buy Drugs is a public education project of Consumer Reports which gives free, unbiased analysis of prescription drugs you take each day, detailed reports to help you and your doctor discuss what medicines are right for you, and recommended Best Buys that could save you money every year.
Drug Digest
DrugDigest is a noncommercial, evidence-based, consumer health and drug information site dedicated to empowering consumers to make informed choices about drugs and treatment options.
Best Buy Drugs is a public education project of Consumer Reports which gives free, unbiased analysis of prescription drugs you take each day, detailed reports to help you and your doctor discuss what medicines are right for you, and recommended Best Buys that could save you money every year.
Drug Digest
DrugDigest is a noncommercial, evidence-based, consumer health and drug information site dedicated to empowering consumers to make informed choices about drugs and treatment options.
JOBS
DigitalLiteracy.gov Learn Job Skills
Use this section of the DigitalLiteracy site to connect to resources to build digital skills and find jobs for new economic opportunities.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The Handbook is revised every two years.
PRPL Career and Job Hunting Resources
We have collected links to websites to assist our patrons in exploring career options or in searching for a new job. The links have been loosely divided into the tabs Career & Company Information and Job Hunting, but many sites contain useful information on both topics.
LAW
Laws of New York -- NYS Legislature
Full text searching of New York State laws is now available. Click on "Laws of New York" at the bottom of the page under Search. Then search by word or phrase or browse sections by topic. For tips on searching, visit: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/senlhlp.html
Nolo Free Online Law Books for Consumers
Here you can read selected Nolo books online—in their entirety, for free. These are current editions of such books as The Foreclosure Survival Guide, 8 Ways to Avoid Probate, and Beat Your Ticket.
Full text searching of New York State laws is now available. Click on "Laws of New York" at the bottom of the page under Search. Then search by word or phrase or browse sections by topic. For tips on searching, visit: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/senlhlp.html
Nolo Free Online Law Books for Consumers
Here you can read selected Nolo books online—in their entirety, for free. These are current editions of such books as The Foreclosure Survival Guide, 8 Ways to Avoid Probate, and Beat Your Ticket.
SENIORS
Senior Citizen's Resource Guide
The New York State Office of the Aging offers this resource guide to services and information on topics such as healthcare, housing, crime, recreation, and volunteering. The guide is also available in Spanish.
SYMBOLS
Symbols: Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms
This online reference work, provided by Symbols.com, contains more than 1,600 articles about 2,500 Western signs, arranged into 54 groups according to their graphic characteristics. Search the Graphic Index or the Word Index. Or come to the library to view the print version in our reference collection, R 704.946 LIU.
WEATHER
BBC Weather
Search by location for weather forecasts around the world.
BBC Weather Country Guides
Summary climate information is available in these country guides listed alphabetically.
Search by location for weather forecasts around the world.
BBC Weather Country Guides
Summary climate information is available in these country guides listed alphabetically.