Automobiles

• Auto Repair Reference Center: Maintenance and repair instructions from Chilton's manuals. Also includes service bulletins and recall information.
  
• Car & Driver: Reviews and road tests from the magazine, vehicle comparisons, Kelley Blue Book values, and more.
• Edmunds.com: Reviews, pricing information, and buying tips for new and used vehicles.
• Autotropolis.comBuying guides, dealer information, and articles on new and used vehicles.

Computers

• Find free programs (tested and rated):
  • Download.com
  • Tucows
• Adware/spyware protection:
  • Ad-Aware Personal
  • Spybot Search & Destroy
• Instant messaging:
  • AOL Instant Messenger
  • MSN Messenger
  • Yahoo! Messenger
  • Trillian(manage multiple IM accounts)
• File players and viewers:
  • Adobe: Adobe Reader and Flash and Shockwave players.
  • RealPlayer: Popular audio and video software.

Other software and utilities:

• Bookmarklets.com: Add handy search tools and other utilities to your Web browser. Also take a look at our bookmarklets for the library catalog.
• DesktopX: Lets you run widgets (like our catalog search widget) on your Windows desktop.
• OpenOffice.org: Free open-source office suite (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, etc.).
• Typography Links: Microsoft's list of sites where fonts can be found.

Recycle

• Vintage Tech Recyclers: Provides scheduled pick ups.

Consumer Information

• AnnualCreditReport.com: Request a free copy of your report from each of the three major credit reporting companies.
• ConsumerGuide: Product reviews, price guides, etc.
• Consumer Reports: A paid subscription is required to see ratings and recommendations, but lots of general advice is available for free.
• Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency: From U.S. Department of Energy. Includes advice about sizing home heating and cooling systems.
• ConsumerSearch: Analyzes reviews from magazines and other sources to get a consensus opinion about the best products.
• Epinions.com: Products are rated by people who bought them.
  
• Recalls.gov: Find product recalls and safety alerts issued by the federal government.

Education

• LearningExpressLibrary: Online practice exams: AP, college admissions, civil service, fire and police, real estate, basic skills, and more. Also includes exam guides in ebook format.
• FAFSA: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.
• FinAid: Information about college finance options, free scholarship search.
• For homework and research help, go to our Student Center.

Food

• Food Network: Recipes and more from the cable network.
• Nutrition and Health: Information from University of Illinois Extension.
• RecipeSource: Database of thousands of recipes.

Genealogy

• HeritageQuest: Search U.S. Census records, published genealogies and local history books, and other documents.
• Cyndi's List: An enormous directory of genealogy Web sites.
• FamilySearch.org: Research site from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
• Newberry Library

Health

• Chicago Magazine: Runs an annual "Top Doctors" list.
• Deciphering Medspeak: Translations of medical terms into plain English.
• DIRLINE: Directory of Health Organizations Online, from the National Library of Medicine.
• Illinois Poison Center
• Mayo Clinic: Authoritative information about diseases and conditions, medicines, and general health issues.
• MedLine Plus: Medical encyclopedia, articles, and other health information from the National Library of Medicine.
• Merck Manuals: Free online versions of the popular medical reference books. Information about many conditions and treatments.
• Mesothelioma |Asbestos.com:Offers comprehensive and updated information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
• Nutrition and Health: Information from University of Illinois Extension.
• RxList: Information about drugs, plus articles and video clips about health issues.
• Salem HealthAn online companion to Magill's Medical Guide (located in the library's reference stacks - R 610.3 MAG.)
• Health pamphlets, booklets, and bookmarks available at the library for in-library use.

House and Garden

• Do It Yourself: Collection of articles and instructions on many home-improvement and decorating projects.
• HGTV: Illustrated instructions (gardening, decorating, remodeling, crafts) and videos of projects from the network's shows.
• Home Purchases: Database of residential transactions, on the Chicago Tribune's site.
• Gardening:
  • Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Information: Recommended plants, gardening tips, etc.

Houses/Homes

• Homes and Communities- Dept. of Housing and Urban Development: Information on buying, selling, renting, grants, and other useful information
• Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending :Federal Reserve Board's information about where to shop, what to look for, application process, rights to fair lending.
• Home Purchases: Database of residential transactions, on the Chicago Tribune's site.
• Illinois Housing Development Authority: Information on Home Ownership Programs and other Illinois housing information.
• Mortgages: For Home Buyers and Homeowners: Mortgage facts, tips, and calculators.
• MortgageLoan.comFind and compare current rates for home mortgages (include mortgage calculator.)
• Zillow.com: Find real estate valuations, homes for sale, and real estate information.

Jobs and Careers

• LearningExpressLibrary: Online practice tests for basic job skills and some careers. Also includes exam guides in ebook format.
• CareerBuilder.com: The Chicago Tribune is affiliated with this job search site.
• Illinois Department of Employment Security: Information about unemployment insurance, resources for job seekers.
• Indeed.com: Comprehensive search engine for jobs.
• Monster: A large and popular site for job listings.
• Riley Guide: Directory of Web sites that are useful to job hunters.
• See additional resources in our Business Center.