2009 November | Reference

Architecture

Skyscraper Page – a gold mine for skyscraper enthusiasts! This site contains architectural drawings for thousands of skyscrapers around the world. The drawings are provided by members of the SkyscraperPage Illustrators Association. Search criteria include height, construction year, location, structure type, and status.

Great Buildings – documents a thousand buildings and hundreds of leading architects with photographic images and architectural drawings, integrated maps and timelines, 3D building models, commentaries, bibliographies, web links, and more, for famous designers and structures of all kinds

Frank Lloyd Wright – a PBS program on the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright

Around the House

Repair Clinic appliance repair, tips, and help

Ask a Plumber

eHow “clear instructions on how to do (just about) anything” This site not only has written instruction, but also videos that illustrate the “how to” of just about anything.

Home Tips this site is the creation of home-improvement author Don Vandervort, a nationally recognized expert in the field.

Baby Names

Social Security Administration list of Popular Baby Names

Baby Hold

Baby Names World

Baby Names Country

Baby Center

Tips for Writers on Naming Fictional Characters

Espanol

Babysitio

Bebes Latino

Geography & Travel Databases

Global Road Warrior

This is a comprehensive travel, telecommunications, and business culture reference database featuring 175 countries. Not just country facts & demographics, but also information on money & banking, internet & telecommunications availability, security & health, along with maps and currency & coin images. To access, simply click here and enter your library card number to log on.

A to Z Maps Online

This is the world’s largest subscription-based database of proprietary, royalty-free world, continent, country, and state maps. Included in the 4,000+ maps are: political maps, physical maps, outline maps, population maps, precipitation maps, climate maps, and other thematic maps. New maps are added to the collection every month. To access, simply click here and enter your library card number to log in.

Health Care Providers

Comparing Texas HMOs 2009 prepared by the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel this report focuses on members’ satisfaction with various aspects of their HMOs. Includes the results of a survey of HMO consumers, information on the results of Independent Review Organization appeals and an analysis of complaint data collected by the Texas Department of Insurance.

Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2009 prepared by the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel this report compares data on quality of care delivered by Texas HMOs.

Health Insurance Information

Texas Health Options this is a State of Texas web site designed to help Texans shop for health insurance. It also contains information on avoiding insurance scams and what to do if you are a victim of insurance fraud.

Medicare this is the official U.S. government site for Medicare.

Hospitals

American Hospital Directory

Hospital Search

Literary Criticism

Black Literature Criticism : Classic and Emerging Authors since 1950
Focuses on writers and works published since 1950. The majority of the authors surveyed are African American, but representative African and Caribbean authors are also included.

Personal Finance

Everyday Finance : Economics, Personal Money Management, and Entrepreneurship
Provides a mix of basic and practical information on economics, personal money management, and starting a business.