Best of Reference 2005: Reference Values
Annotation:This is a first stop for finding fascinating information about our great neighboring state, New Jersey. This large, detailed encyclopedia is filled with articles, maps and illustrations. Places, people, phenomena and more are discussed with care and wit.
Annotation:Who are we when we are not working? The cultural, social, economic and technical history of how we use our free time, from colonial times to the computer era, and the impact of leisure on American life.
Annotation:A critical and interactive multi-cultural guide and gateway to Web resources for students and teachers of U.S. History. An enjoyable and educational popular history tool, especially useful for annotated links and evaluating primary materials.
Annotation:A fascinating, multi-disciplinary look at U.S. history and culture from the gastronomic perspective. Food staples, ethnic cuisines, corporations and eateries are combined with people, politics, events and inventions in this culinary study.
Annotation:For researchers and the curious alike, this site offers specific information on historical exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies. The creator, Lawrence H. Officer, included several guides useful for anyone interested in the history of exchange rates.
Annotation:An amazing collection of superhero biographies ranging from Buffy to the X-men! The book offers an overview of superheroes within the context of U.S. history and detailed accounts of the characters and their various incarnations on film and TV.
Annotation:This database contains information from over 4,000 Material Safety Data Sheets prepared by manufacturers. Searchable by product, ingredient or health effects, it provides important consumer health information.
Annotation:This unique resource contextualizes over 400 innovations within the evolving society they impacted. Contains six chronological chapters, each with an introductory essay followed by an alphabetical format.
Annotation:Written by an academic librarian, this 404-page volume covers various subjects of political and religious extremism. Entries range from Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman to Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky. It includes a chronology of events, a selected bibliography and an index.
Annotation:Provides relevant exploration of historical homeland security issues, ranging from the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to the McCarthy Hearings, the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing and the 9/11 Attacks.
Annotation:A stellar resource for a wide range of users. The NASA website has special areas for students, educators, researchers and kids. Images, scientific data and articles are available in many formats on this fun and exciting site.
Annotation:This is a highly searchable business, industry and residential directory. Information can be gathered for job seekers, small business owners, market researchers and a variety of library users. Available at selected libraries.
Annotation:A great online source for world mythologies, folklore, religion and legends. You can search the site for particular topics, or browse the various themes. It even contains a helpful pronunciation key.
Annotation:With an eye to the growing and global influence of Islam, this two-volume set of internationally authored, scholarly articles outlines the diversity of ideas and practices that have characterized the Islamic world throughout its history.
Annotation:This unique work engages the reader to learn about different aspects of daily life through the ages. Arranged thematically, the user can browse similar topics in each volume offering a historical and cultural context for the many details that make up daily human life.
Annotation:Categorized by historical tradition, this guide offers insight and information about relatively obscure religious sects and larger established movements. The articles are brief and focused, including groups from the Branch Davidians to Falun Gong to Kabbalah.
Annotation:An A to Z reference source of modern English language usage. It provides guidance on grammar, punctuation, inclusive language, effective writing and argument.
Annotation:A comprehensive database covering environmental issues. Presents ten content areas, such as: coastal and marine ecosystems, climate, human populations, biodiversity and agriculture. Includes data tables, country profiles and maps for each of the content areas.
Annotation:The Encyclopedia of Animals is a beautiful and useful visual account of our friends in the animal kingdom, with an informative introduction and sections on the major animal classes. Readers can also enjoy browsing the attractive photos and illustrations.
Annotation:A comprehensive guide to the history of the American presidency and presidents. Covers related topics such as executive privilege, legislation, the Secret Service, Air Force One and scandals.
Annotation:The experiences of spirited women - artists, writers, farmers, nuns, nurses, spies, industrial workers - from all walks of life, regions, races and classes, who significantly contributed to American culture and society in Civil War America.
Annotation:A thorough, broadly conceived summary of our knowledge of homelessness. Entries alternate between the general overview and the focused analysis. An effective reference aid for the high school student, a powerful knowledge tool for the policy maker.
Annotation:Filling a gap in reference publishing, this encyclopedia is an excellent starting point for research in this field. It contains information about American workers, their collective condition, and how they have organized over the years.
Annotation:The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture presents an online resource that illustrates through images, texts, maps, timelines and educational materials, the diversity of the African Diaspora and the thirteen defining migrations that have shaped and transformed African-America.
Annotation:Ranging from actors to gyms, H.D. to queer theory, and race to Zulma, entries illustrate LGBT history through fifty years of activism and thirty years of scholarship on the subject. The resource includes an index, appendix and bibliographical references.
A Shared List by AskNYPL 
Member of New York Public Library
Send AskNYPL a Message
Follow 
Ignore Report This List Description
Best of Reference is an annual list of books, websites, and electronic resources selected by a committee of librarians for their usefulness in local branch collections. Selection criteria include value and appropriateness for branch collections, organization of material, style of presentation, and authority of author/editor.
English
