Best Reference Web Sites 1997

Staff -- Library Journal, 5/6/1998

In compiling this second annual list of web sites, we preferred those that add authoritative knowledge to the web environment over those that are merely lists of links. Keeping in mind the topics faced by reference librarians, we chose sites most helpful for ready-reference.

Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guides
http://www.edmunds.com/
Since the mid-1960s, Edmund's print guides have been the bible for consumers buying or selling cars and trucks, new or used. The Edmund's web site offers even more: the results of road tests, car and truck reviews, information on rebates and incentives, and conferencing opportunities.

Endangered Species Home Page
http://www.fws.gov/r9endspp/endspp.html
Provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this sites offers the best way to find information about threatened and endangered animal and plant species in the United States. Besides "Species Information," you can identify proposed and candidate species for the list, learn about species recovery programs and conservation practices, and view a slide show or photos. The statistics, state lists, and policy documents are invaluable.

FedStats
http://www.fedstats.gov/
Maintained by the Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy, FedStats provides access to statistical data from over 70 federal agencies. Use the A-Z topical index or access Fast Facts to retrieve the most popular tables and state rankings from the Statistical Abstract of the United States or stats from the White House Statistical Briefing Rooms. Search agency press releases for the latest data.

Governments on the WWW
http://www.gksoft.com/govt/
A great access point for information on foreign governments, this database of governmental institutions on the web includes parliaments, ministries, offices, law courts, embassies, and city councils from 200 countries.

InfoNation
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/infonation/e_infonation.htm
Drawing on UN databases used to compile the Statistical Yearbook and World Statistics Pocketbook, this site allows users to generate customized statistical and comparative tables (e.g., on illiteracy rates, population growth, and energy consumption), using the most current information on any of the 185 UN member countries.

NASA Homepage
http://www.nasa.gov/
This hugely popular site offers a gateway to the largest repository of space-related information on the Internet. Users can view a chronology of future lunar and planetary exploration, check on shuttle flights, review astronaut biographies, or find out about future space stations. Basic info is in the FAQ.

POTUS: Presidents of the United States
http://www.ipl.org/ref/POTUS/
A project of the Internet Public Library, POTUS provides information on Presidents and candidates, cabinet members, election results, administration highlights, and presidential trivia. Links lead to historical documents, inaugural addresses, biographies, First Ladies, and other Internet resources. Some audio and video files are available.

The Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/
The Perry-Castaneda Map Collection at the University of Texas at Austin, which includes more than 230,000 maps, has made 2100 map images available on the web. There's good coverage of the world, some 700 maps of the United States, and many historical maps. Don't expect up-to-date local maps, however.

Telephone Directories on the Web
http://www.contractjobs.com/tel/
This site offers the best listing of domestic and international electronic telephone directories. Coverage varies -- some countries offer only limited listings, and not all countries are included.