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Before you ask us a reference question, check this handy list of Frequently Asked Reference Questions to see if your question is a popular one that we have answered many times before. We have compiled brief guides to the resources available both online and offline on these topics. Looking through the FARQs can save you (and us!) a lot of time! Even if your question doesn't look like our example, if the subject sounds like what you're interested in, check the FARQ for it.

Also, be sure to look through the IPL Ready Reference Collection for quality Internet resources selected by IPL librarians, and be sure not to forget the IPL Pathfinders for in-depth guides on finding information on- and off-line in a variety of subject areas.

Books and Libraries | Business and Consumers | History and the Future | People, Govt and Culture | Science (including Internet) | Words and Phrases

Books and Libraries

SubjectOne of the Questions this FARQ Can Answer
All-Time Bestselling Books and AuthorsWhat are the world's top selling fiction/non-fiction/children's books of all time?
Basic Plots in LiteratureI've heard there are only 7 (or 5, 20, 36, 37...) basic plots (or themes) in all of literature. What are they?
Books OnlineHow do I find the latest John Grisham novel on the Internet?
Book Reviews How can I find a review of the latest John Grisham novel on the Internet?
Citing Electronic Information How do I cite a website in my research paper bibliography?
Civil Service / Career Test Prep Does the IPL have a study guide for my city's firefighter exam?
ClassicsWhat books are considered to be "classics"?
Cliffs NotesWhere can I find Cliffs Notes for The Scarlet Letter?
Dewey Decimal Classification Is there a complete listing of all of the Dewey Decimal system online?
ISBNsHow are International Standard Book Numbers determined?
Literary CriticismI need criticism of The Color Purple.
Magazine and Journal Articles I need an article that appeared in the Journal of Fluid Dynamics in January 1970.
Newspaper ArchivesMy grandmother was mentioned in the Chicago Tribune in 1906. Can I get a copy of that article using the Internet?
Reference ResourcesHow do I find Books In Print (or The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, or any other reference book) online?
Used and Rare Books and PricesHow can I find out what this book published in 1930 is worth?
I'm trying to find a rare, valuable book.
Writing Book Reports/ReviewsHow do I write a book report?

Business and Consumers

SubjectOne of the Questions this FARQ Can Answer
Automobile Blue Book How much is my 1983 Ford Fiesta worth now?
Automobile Repair Manuals Is there a repair manual for my 1983 Toyota Tercel online?
Business Research on the Web How can I find business articles for my college paper? Or management, industry statistics, and/or marketing info for my job?
Company ProfilesHow much money did Yahoo make last year?
Consumer ReportsIs Consumer Reports available via the Internet?
Grants and GrantwritingHow can I find out what grants my library is eligible for?
ISBNsHow are International Standard Book Numbers determined?
Old Stock Certificates How can I determine if my old stock certificates are worth anything?
Patents, Trademarks, and Copyright I need to get a patent for my Brilliant Invention. How do I do that?

History and the Future

SubjectOne of the Questions this FARQ Can Answer
Military Trivia How far is a klick? What does the "D" in D-Day stand for?
Names of everyone on the MayflowerWhat were the names of everyone on the Mayflower?
Seven Wonders of the WorldWhat are the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
Today In HistoryWhat happened on this day in 1969? I need ten famous events of the 1960s. Et cetera.

People, Government, and Culture

SubjectOne of the Questions this FARQ Can Answer
Anniversary giftsWhat is an appropriate gift for a couple's silver anniversary?
Baby Names and the Meanings of NamesHow can I find an African name for my baby on the Internet?
Contacting former U.S. PresidentsHow can I write to Jimmy Carter?
Finding PeopleI just know my best friend from elementary school is online, but I can't figure out how to get her email address.
Genealogy My last name is Smith. How do I find other Smiths that I'm related to?
Jung, Carl: EpitaphWhat is written on Carl Jung's tombstone?
Names of everyone on the MayflowerWhat were the names of everyone on the Mayflower?
Phone Numbers How do I look up a phone number online?
Public RecordsCan you tell me what babies were born in Chicago in June of 1965?
Salaries/Benefits of U.S. Officials What are the salaries/pensions given to U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, Cabinet members, Senators, etc.?
U.S. Presidents -- TriviaWho was the tallest President?

Science (including Internet)

SubjectOne of the Questions this FARQ Can Answer
Animal Names & Words What do you call a group of crows?
Is there a name for a baby aardvark?
Does a female badger have a special name?
History of the InternetCan you help me find information on how the Internet was developed?
Internet DemographicsWhat percentage of the world's population has access to the Internet?
Math problems and helpWhere can I get help with my math homework?
Web Pages, How to GetHow do I get/make a web page?
How can I learn HTML, the language that web pages are written in?
What is the '@' sign called? Is there a name for the @ symbol? Where did it come from?
Why is the sky blue?Why is the sky blue?

Words and Phrases

SubjectOne of the Questions this FARQ Can Answer
Animal Names & Words What do you call a group of crows?
Is there a name for a baby aardvark?
Does a female badger have a special name?
Baby Names and the Meanings of NamesHow can I find an African name for my baby on the Internet?
English GrammarWhat is the proper usage of neither and nor?
"Once In A Blue Moon"What does the phrase "once in a blue moon" really mean?
Publish or PerishWhat is the meaning of the phrase "publish or perish"?
Something Wicked This Way ComesWhat is the origin of the line "Something wicked this way comes"?
What is the '@' sign called? Is there a name for the @ symbol? Where did it come from?
Why is New York City called the "Big Apple"?Why is New York City called "The Big Apple"?
Words ending in -gryThere are three words in the English language that end in -gry. Angry and hungry are two of them, what is the third?

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Last updated Mar 31, 2001