Libraries don’t carry as many reference books as they used to. By reference books, I mean those books we all used in school when we had to do research for papers and projects. The ones we could look at but never check out of the library- like encyclopedias, atlases, record books, and so on. Just a couple of years ago, the Deerfield Public Library had as many as three times the amount of reference books that we hold now. So, where did they all go? Do people not need that information anymore? Did they get replaced by video games and DVDs?
Of course not!
It’s true, we downsized our collection of print reference, but not because we don’t think the information that collection holds isn’t important. All of the information we ever had -plus much more- is available anytime, anywhere, with a Deerfield Public Library card. You can search encyclopedias, learn a new language, research stock options, and much more, right from your home, office, coffee shop- anywhere!
This is made possible through the collection of online resources the Deerfield Public Library provides to its patrons 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These resources provide the largest reference and research collection this Library has ever had. You can find these resources on our website. We have over 20 online resources, and the list is still growing!
This fall we are providing a great program series on small businesses so I thought I would give Deerfield the word on one of our newest additions to the online resource collection, AtoZDatabases. AtoZDatabases is the premier reference and mailing list database, including 30 million business and executive profiles and 220 million residents. It is ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and much more!
Here is just a few of the many faces of AtoZDatabases:
Business Reference– Research the company you want to invest in, create a list of sales leads or email contacts, or find out about new businesses opening up near you.
Job Search– Search Indeed.com, research the company you are applying to, find executive contacts, addresses, and resume templates.
People Search and Background Checks– Find old friends, meet the neighbors, or look up potential contractors before you hire them.
These are just a few of the different things you can do with AtoZDatabases. To find out more, visit our website at www.deerfieldlibrary.org. Click on Research, located on the top menu bar, and then Online Resources. Scroll down the page until you see or click here to access AtoZDatabases. Need more help? Don’t hesitate to contact a librarian to help get you started. We would love to hear from you!
