Quick Reference Sources
- Reference collections
- Booksellers and publishers
- Television, radio, newspapers, news channels and media organizations
- Dictionaries, thesauri, abbreviations, acronyms, and quotations
- Maps and street plans
- Organizations, charities, art galleries, museums and libraries
- People and biographies
Reference collections
- Bartleby.com – This site offers a selection of ancient and modern titles in full text. The collection includes poetry, literature, essays and general reference works. Search by keyword, or browse by author, title or subject.
Booksellers and publishers
Titles in-print
- Amazon.co.uk – Browse by subject category or search by author, title, subject or keyword. Search results include the name of the publisher, ISBN and a brief synopsis of each title returned. Many titles are accompanied by customer reviews.
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- Blackwell’s Online Bookshop – Browse by subject or click on ‘Full Search’ to find items by author name, title, publisher, keyword, ISBN or media type (e.g., audio tape). Search results include full bibliographic details of each title returned.
- BooksforAcademics.com – Browse by category or feature item, or search by author name, title, keyword (descriptor) or ISBN. Search results include full bibliographic details.
- Politico’s Bookstore – This retailer specializes in titles on government and politics worldwide. Search the collection by keyword or browse through each subject category, which includes sections for American politics, elections, international relations, policy and titles published by think tanks.
- seekBOOKS.co.uk – As well as popular fiction, this online service offers academic works across a broad range of disciplines. Browse by subject or search by author name, title, keyword or ISBN.
- Set Books – Compiled by The Booksellers Association, this site provides details of retailers stocking Open University set books. Enter a course code to find details and prices of any titles for your course, and search by area or town for details of your nearest high street stockist. The database also includes links to online bookshops.
- http://indiafocus.indiainfo.com/media/books/bookstore/ : List of Book Stores in India including their linkages.
- http://shopping.sify.com/shopping/book_browse_subjects.php?idx=L : Subject based list of books from India.
- WHSmith Online – Browse by department (from the arts to technology) or search by author name, title, publisher, series or ISBN (click on ‘Full Search’). Search results include only brief bibliographic details of each title returned.
Titles out-of-print
- abebooks.co.uk – This web site provides details of out-of-print and second-hand books available from retailers worldwide. Browse by subject category or search by author name, title or keyword. Click on ‘Advanced Search’ to limit your search to a particular price range, location, publication date or first edition. Search results include brief bibliographic details, a description of the condition of the book, its price and a link to the stockist.
- The Eagle Bookshop - Specialists in out-of-print books in Science and Mathematics.
- UKBookWorld.com – Find out-of-print and second-hand books from dealers throughout Britain. Search by author, title, publisher, date and subject keyword. You may also limit your search to a particular price range. Search results include notes on the condition of each title returned.
Publishers
- Bookshops and publishers – This page from the Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO) web site has an A to Z list of links to homepages belonging to publishers and book retailers worldwide.
- Publishers Directory – This Booksellers Association database provides contact details for publishers in Britain and Ireland.
- Publishers’ web sites – This page from BooksforAcademics.com provides links to homepages belonging to an A to Z of publishers worldwide. It also includes indexes with links arranged by subject area.
Television, radio, newspapers, news channels and media organizations
Television and radio
- BBCi – BBCi is a gateway to all online services from the BBC. As well as links to news services, weather forecasts, television and radio schedules, it features a directory with links to an A to Z of programme and subject interest pages.
- Channel 4 – This site includes worldwide news reports and bulletins, television listings and sections for C4 history, science and health broadcasts. Search the site by keyword, or browse the A to Z index for programme and topic pages.
- Five – As well as daily listings for both terrestrial and satellite channels, this site includes background notes and factsheets for Channel 5 programmes.
- ITV.com – This service includes a full television guide, national and international news reports, links to all ITV regional services and an A to Z of ITV programme pages.
- Open2.net – Click on the ‘Programmes’ option for details of Open University broadcast schedules and forthcoming programmes.
- Sky.com – This service includes worldwide news coverage with feature pages for business, politics, science and health reports. Details of all Sky broadcasts and a full daily television schedule is also available.
- http://www.khoj.com/Entertainment/Television/Channels/ : TV Channels in India.
- http://indiafocus.indiainfo.com/media/tv/ : Indian TV Channels with hyperlinks.
Newspapers
- FT.com – This online edition of the Financial Times includes business news, company reports and market prices from around the world. Major articles featured in the current print edition are also available. Some content is restricted to fee-paying subscribers.
- GuardianUnlimited – News reports, feature stories, leading articles and letters from both The Guardian and The Observer. The site includes sections for the arts, business, education, politics and the media. An archive with news stories dating from September 1998 is also available. Register free to receive daily news bulletins by email.
- Independent.co.uk – Worldwide news reports, feature articles, comment and analysis. Some site content is restricted to fee-paying ‘portfolio’ subscribers.
- Paperboy – A gateway site with links to online editions of national and regional newspapers in Britain and abroad.
- Scotsman, The – Current events, feature articles, business reports and political news, as well as comment and opinion. Click on the ‘Article Index’ option for quick guide to the content of this site.
- Telegraph.co.uk – Domestic and international news, business reports, opinion, feature stories, letters and special sections for education, law and the arts. Register free to access the site. An email bulletin service is also available.
- TimesOnline – National and international headlines, business news, features and comment from both The Times and The Sunday Times. An archive with articles from 1985 onwards is available to fee-paying subscribers.
- Western Mail, The – News headlines from Wales, the rest of the UK and around the world. Business reports, politics news and sports stories are also available.
- http://www.khoj.com/Events_News_and_Media/Newspapers_and_Magazines/ : Directory of Newspapers and Magazines from India.
- http://indiafocus.indiainfo.com/media/newspaper/ : Indian Newspapers.
News channels
- Ananova – This well-designed site provides national and international news reports, as well as business and market updates. Politics, science, sport and entertainment stories are also featured.
- BBC News – This service includes reports on current issues in politics, education, health, business, science and technology. Regional, national and international news stories are also available.
- Channel 4 News – News reports from Britain and abroad, business headlines and a news weblog featuring topical web sites submitted by site visitors.
- News Now.co.uk – As well as headlines from around the world, market news and reports from a variety of business sectors, this site includes updates on current national and international issues.
- Reuters UK – News reports from around the world, business and finance headlines, feature articles, as well as science, technology and health updates. Some sections of this web site are restricted to registered members.
- Sky News – International and domestic news coverage, business headlines and reports on current developments in science and technology.
- Teletext – This service offers news briefs from Britain and abroad, the latest City and financial bulletins, regular updates from Westminster and listings for events taking place across Britain.
Dictionaries, thesauri, abbreviations, acronyms and quotations
Dictionaries and thesauri
- OneLook – This service will simultaneously search online dictionaries and glossaries worldwide for definitions. The collection includes both general and specialist reference sources, including works for art, business, computing, medicine, science, technology and slang.
- Online Dictionaries – This page on the Higher Education & Research Opportunities in the United Kingdom (HERO) web site provides links to both general and specialist dictionaries, thesauri and reference resources worldwide.
- Thesaurus.com – This site uses Roget’s Interactive Thesaurus to provide synonyms for words and phrases.
- World Wide Words – Compiled by lexicographer Michael Quinion, World Wide Words is an online guide to contemporary English and its usage. The site includes a collection of articles about the use and evolution of the English language; definitions of new and unusual words; a guide to phrases; answers to queries submitted by site visitors; and a notes about words currently featured in the press.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Acronym Server – This is a database of general, technical and specialist acronyms. Enter an acronym to find its meaning, or search for a word that may appear within an acronym.
Quotations
- Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations – The content of this site is taken from the tenth edition of Bartlett’s published in 1919. The collection includes examples from ancient and late nineteenth century authors. Search by keyword or browse by author name.
- Quoteland.com – A collection of quotations from both ancient and modern authors, as well as contemporary commentators, political figures, celebrities and characters from fiction. Search by keyword or browse by topic or author name.
Maps and street plans
- MapQuest – Offers online maps and street plans of countries worldwide. Use the zoom option to alter the scale of a map, and the North, South, East, West buttons to navigate your way around.
- Multimap.com – Includes a complete interactive atlas of Britain. The free service will allow you to search by town, street name, or postcode. Aerial photographs are also available for many British locations.
- Perry-Castaņeda Library Map Collection – This broad online map collection from the University of Texas at Austin offers reference, political, shaded relief and historical maps from countries worldwide.
- Atlapedia Online – This online collection offers both political and relief maps of countries around the world. Background notes on the the geography, history and economy of each country are also available, as well as brief demographic statistics.
- http://www.eci.gov.in/ElectionMaps/ElectionMaps_fs.htm : Election maps of India.
- http://www.khoj.com/Reference/Guides/Maps/ : Directory of Maps of India.
Organizations, charities, art galleries, museums and libraries
Organizations
- Professional bodies – This page from the Higher Education & Research Opportunities (HERO) web site, provides links to homepages belonging an A to Z of professional associations, institutions and societies in the UK.
- Scholarly Societies Project – Arranged by subject area and location, this site provides links to professional and academic associations, societies and institutions around the world.
Charities
- Association of Charitable Foundations – This body represents some 300 independent charitable trusts and foundations in the UK. An A to Z directory outlines the role and work of each group and provides a link to its web site. Click on ‘Publications’ to download notes on how to apply for funding from a charitable organization.
- CharitiesDirect.com – This site provides information about registered charities in Britain from The National Charities Database. Details include a brief description of their work and key statistics, such as administration costs, fundraising costs, number of employees, total funds and total investments. Search the database by keyword or browse through the A to Z index. The site also ranks the top 500 charities by income, expenditure and funds. Choose the ‘Search’ option on the homepage and select ‘Top 500’ from the drop-down menu.
- Charity Choice – This online directory provides contact details for registered charities in Britain, links to homepages are included where available. Browse the category index or search the database by charity name, location or keyword.
- CharityLibrary co.uk – This database provides full contact details for a variety of charitable organizations in the UK. Brief notes on the role and work of each group are also included. Search by keyword or click on ‘List All Charities’ to browse the current collection.
- Charitynet.org – This database provides brief information about charities and non-profit foundations worldwide, including contact details and web links where available. Browse by category or click on ‘find’ to search by keyword.
- Community Fund – The Community Fund is an independent body established to distribute money raised by the National Lottery to UK charities, voluntary groups and community projects. The site features information about grants already given to organizations, including a collection of brief case studies about a variety of community projects. There is also an electronic application form and collection of guidance notes to download.
Art galleries
- Art Galleries – This page on the Virtual Library web site provides links to homepages belonging to national art galleries and museums around the world.
- Art Guide – This site provides information about art collections and exhibitions in Britain and Ireland. It includes a ‘What’s on’ guide listing current national and regional art events; details of special collections (from Americana to wine labels); and an A to Z of links to gallery and museum homepages.
- ArtsListings.com – This online listings service has information about art exhibitions and events throughout Ireland. Search for details by county, venue, art form, keyword or date, or browse the interactive map. The database features music, drama and film as well as the visual arts.
- Galleries – Galleries is a monthly listings magazine with information about art exhibitions in both commercial and public galleries in Britain. Click the ‘Listings by Area’ link on this online edition for brief details of events at national and regional venues.
- National Gallery, The – This site includes images and brief notes about each work permanently housed in the National Gallery and on long-term loan. Search by keyword, or browse by artist name, time period or theme.
- National Galleries of Scotland – This site includes information about current and forthcoming exhibitions and events at the four national galleries in Edinburgh.
- National Museums and Galleries of Wales – Select a gallery or museum from the ‘Choose a Museum’ menu and click on ‘What’s on’ for details about current exhibitions and events. The site also includes an online art collection featuring works held by galleries and museums in Wales. Search the collection by keyword or browse the A to Z list of artists.
- http://indiafocus.indiainfo.com/arts/galleries/ : Galleries in India.
Museums
- Cornucopia – This site provides information about collections held by museums and galleries in the UK. Search by keyword for details of venues displaying specific material, artifacts or art works.
- Museums around the UK on the Web – This page from the Virtual Library collection lists links to web sites belonging to national and regional museums throughout Britain and Northern Ireland. Links are arranged in both alphabetical and geographical order. Click on ‘Museums’ at the top of the page for links to museums around the world.
- 24 Hour Museum – This gateway provides information about exhibitions and events at art galleries, museums and heritage centres throughout the UK. It includes a daily listings service; reviews of current events at national and regional venues; and links to online exhibitions.
- http://indiafocus.indiainfo.com/arts/museum/ : Directory of India Museums.
Libraries
library gateways
- LibDex: The Library Index – This site offers links to national, academic, specialist and public libraries in an A to Z of countries worldwide. Browse the collection by country or search by keyword.
- LIBWEB: Library Servers Via WWW – Links to national, state, academic and public library homepages in America. The site also includes links to selected academic and public libraries worldwide. Search by keyword or browse by country/continent.
- http://indiafocus.indiainfo.com/media/library/ : Directory of India Libraries.
Worldwide, national and local UK government
Worldwide
- Official Web Pages – This A to Z listing provides links to government web sites around the world, as well as homepages belonging to international assemblies, councils and parliaments.
- Worldwide Governments on the WWW – This international directory includes links to official and public bodies as well as government homepages. Links are arranged by nation name and by continent.
People and biographies
- Biography.com – Brief biographies about historic and contemporary figures. Search by name or browse the A to Z index. The database features figures from a variety of backgrounds and professions including, politics, the arts, science, engineering, medicine, religion, sport and entertainment.
- Nobel Prize Internet Archive, The – The Archive lists all of the winners in each Nobel Prize category: Chemistry, Economics, Literature, Peace, Physics, Physiology and Medicine. Brief background notes about each winner and links to relevant web sites are also available.