These reference books are considered to be essential to even the smallest library. New editions may have appeared, so be sure to check for the latest available before ordering.
- General Almanac (current year)
World Almanac and Book of Facts 2007
ISBN 978-0-88687-996-9 large-format edition approx. $32.99
- Encyclopedia (current within three years)
World Book Encyclopedia, World Book, 2002
ISBN 0-7166-0103-6 $849.00
- Unabridged Dictionary (choose one)
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed.
Houghton-Mifflin, 2006
ISBN 0-618-70173-7 (hardcover with CD-ROM) $60.00
Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, 3rd ed.
Random House, 2001
ISBN 0- 375-42566-7 $49.95
Webster's Third New International Dictionary
Merriam-Webster, 2000
ISBN 87779-302-6 $139.95
- Telephone Directory (current year)
Local and nearest major metropolitan area
- Auto Repair Manuals (current within three years)
Automobile Service Manual, 1999-2003
Chilton Book Company, 2002
ISBN 0-8019-9356-3 $79.95
Import Service Manual 1999-2003
Chilton Book Company, 2002.
ISBN 0-8019-9357-1 $79.95
- Consumer Information (current edition)
Consumer Reports Buying Guide Issue, 2007
by the Editors of Consumer Reports
Books
Consumer Reports Books, November 2006
ISBN 1-933524-01-4 paperback $9.99. (Free with subscription to Consumer Reports)
- Family Medical Guide (current within three to five years)
Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide.
Harvard Medical School, 2005.
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0684863731, $25.00 paperback
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.
Harper Collins Publishers, 2003
ISBN 0-06-000250-6, $49.95.
- Atlases (all three should be current within three years or latest editions of classic atlases)
Local Maps (City and County)
Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer
DeLorme Publishing
ISBN: 0899333338; 3rd edition (March 2001) $19.95.
Rand McNally the Road Atlas large scale '05
Rand McNally Co
ISBN: 0528845497; (2005) approx. $18.95
Goode's World Atlas
Rand McNally Company, 2005
ISBN 0-528-65000-3 approx. $29.95
- Statistical Sources (current year)
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2007: The National Data Book
U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census
(Available to public libraries for free from the U.S. Government Printing Office)
or
Hoover's Inc
ISBN: 0160763010; (2007 paperback) approx. $38.00
Statistical Abstract of U.S., on the web
- Occupational Information (current year)
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007
JIST Works
ISBN: 978-1-59357-247-1; 2006-2007 edition c2006
JIST Publishing, Inc.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the web
- Minnesota Resources (current edition)
Minnesota Guidebook to State Agency Services, 2004-2007
Minnesota Bookstore
ISBN: 9789990895360;(c2004) $14.95
Minnesota Guidebook to State Agency Services, on the web
Minnesota Legislative Manual.
Minnesota Secretary of State, 2005/2006
Free from area legislators.
Guide to Starting A Business In Minnesota.
Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office.
Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, 2005
ISBN 1-888404-36-1 Free (call 612/296-3871 to order)
- Political Directories and Handbooks
U.S. Government Manual 2005-2006
Office of the Federal Register.
ISBN 0160726018 approx. $48.60
U.S. Government Manual, on the web
Go to The Reference Interview.
Go to Electronic and Web Sources for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Lists.
Go to Almanacs.
Back to Table of Contents.
This page was last updated on February 20, 2007.