The Answer

While working at the Reference Desk I receive lots and lots of questions about finding phone numbers of local businesses. While a number of good resources exist for tracking down phone numbers quickly the one that I almost always use as a starting point is Google Maps.

“Google Maps but isn’t that just for directions?” You may ask yourself. Yes, Google Maps is an excellent source of directions, but it can be used in many other ways such as Street View, finding real estate, finding local business, creating personal maps, and, of course, finding phone numbers and addresses.

All it takes to find the phone number of a local business is typing in the name of the business and general location. For example, typing in Home Depot and Skokie will bring up a list including addresses and phone numbers of Home Depots in the area.

Be sure to check out a book or two that we have on using Google and Google Maps such as Google Map Hacks and How to do Everything with Google Tools.

I’m guessing that some of you read the title of this post and nearly fell off your chair. I’m also guessing that I would not be able to convince most of you to try something other than the Google even if I offered to pay you. Most people go straight to Google without considering some of the other search engines and truly reliable research tools out there, and I really can’t blame you. Google can’t be any easier to use and it often gives us the information we’re looking for.

But I think our dependence on Google can sometimes keep us from discovering some of the other great search engines out there. Dumb Little Man, a great blog that offers all kinds of life tips, has a new post called “Ditch Google for a Day,” in which the writer attempts to convince his readers to take a look at 10 alternative search engines.

I especially like Kosmix and I’m even going to make it my browser’s homepage for awhile. Kosmix integrates a lot of useful sites and information on the opening page and does the same whenever you perform a search. Here’s what the DLM post says about it:

Kosmix is a seriously useful search engine which searches your query across different sites like Wikipedia, Google Image Search, Flickr, Youtube, CNN and different categories like audio, video, news, blogs, pictures and displays all the results nicely organized in different boxes on a single page.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. If you were to live Google-free for a day, what search engine would you use?

I know nothing about cars and don’t care how my car looks – as you can see – as long as it runs. Since I don’t know anything about cars and I have had many different mechanics over the years, just to be on the safe side, I can make use of two of the library’s free databases about car repairs to check out how much work is involved and even how much a part should cost.

ALLDATA Online contains automotive diagnostic and repair information for foreign and domestic cars and trucks. It covers models produced from 1982 to the present. Diagrams and specifications are provided for all systems. Recall notices and estimates of repair costs are also included.
Skokie Public Library’s guide to this database available. This database is available for in-library use only.

Auto Repair Reference Center which contains step-by-step procedures written specifically for the do-it-yourselfer, but is comprehensive enough for professional technicians. Auto Repair Reference Center contains information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles, with repair information for most vintage makes. Coverage of approximately 25,000 vehicles starting as far back as 1954 includes more than 65,000 technical service bulletins and recalls issued by the original equipment vehicle manufacturer; wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing; a labor time guide and estimator; and over 100,000 factory drawings and step-by-step photographs. This database is available from home with your Skokie Public Library card.

Check out:  http://www.illinoisbankruptcy.com/

If you have any questions in regards to bankruptcy,  here is a great site that can give the answers you’re looking for.

Their FAQ explains it all:  http://www.illinoisbankruptcy.com/faq.html

The Library also features a number of useful resources on bankruptcy. Visit our catalog for additional titles.

If you receive a thick, official looking envelope in the mail, you may have been randomly selected to participate in the American Community Survey.  This is slightly different from the regular 2010 census in that it is an ongoing project, where data is collected every year from approximately 3 million randomly selected households.  Information asked for includes ancestry, income, veteran status, age, race, and employment information.  It is required by federal law that you complete this form.  Estimated completion time is 38″ but will vary depending on how many people you list in your household.  The Village of Skokie has already used this information for planning and budgeting purposes.  You may call 1-800-923-8282 or visit American Community Sruvey for more information.