The main sources of information are books, encyclopedias, journals, newspaper and magazine articles, Internet sites, library reference materials and publications from private organizations. A lot of information is available on the Internet, but make sure anything you use comes from a site with a good reputation.

Libraries
Carnegie Library branches are open to all city residents. Most Pittsburgh college and university libraries will not loan books to non-college students, but you may use their materials on-site.

• If a resource you find is not available at your local library, ask if it can be ordered for you from another library branch. You will be able to pick it up at your library branch.
• Most reference librarians will help you find the information you need and offer further assistance on how to approach your project topic.

Easy-to-use Internet search engines and general information sites:

www.clpgh.org
• E-mail your reference questions to the Carnegie Library

www.google.com
• Specific word searches
• Search results ranked from closest match to least important

www.britannica.com
• Short encyclopedia articles on issues, people and events
• Timelines highlighting important events by decade

www.census.gov
• Statistics and facts on social and economic factors organized by state, county, and region
• Income levels, education, health care, industry, business and politics

www.msnbc.com
• News network
• Opinion editorials, news briefs and articles

www.yahoo.com
• Broad subject searches
• Links to related websites
• Listings of related subjects

partners.nytimes.com
• Free site that explores news stories
• "Ask a Reporter" feature

Local history and information:

www.pghhistory.org
• Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center

www.pghhistory.org/archv_lib/library.htm
• Information about the History Center's Library and Archives (To visit, you must pay museum admission)

www.pghphotos.org
• Online photo archive (you will need written permission to download and use these photos for your project-see the site for more information)

digital.library.pitt.edu
• Historic Pittsburgh, including census data, maps, a timeline of important events starting in 1717, and written materials

www.carnegielibrary.org/clp/Pennsylvania
• Local history and information
• Note: You can visit the Pennsylvania Department at the Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Avenue in Oakland, second floor.

www.riversofsteel.com
• The Steel Industry Heritage Corporation's website
• Note: You can visit the Corporation's office in Homestead in the Bost Building, 623 East 8th Ave. (61C PAT bus route). The Steel Heritage Industry Corporation houses an archive of information gathered by fieldworkers who observed and recorded cultural activities in the region. The archive includes 29 field reports, more than 6,000 slides, 3,500 photos and 750 hours of taped interviews.
• For more information about using the archive, go to: www.riversofsteel.com/archive.asp

www.carnegielibrary.org/subject/organizations
• The Carnegie Library's alphabetical list of Pittsburgh organizations organized by topic or interest

www.pittsburghchamber.com
• Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce-local data and career information
• Example of what you can find: "Highest Rated Pittsburgh Area Radio Stations Among Listeners 12 and over, Summer 2001"

Government and the political process:

www.firstgov.gov
• Official U.S. Government portal
• Access to local government sites

www.govspot.com
• Links, reports, lists, news, and other information on national, state and local government

www.congress.org
• Tips for writing to Congress, the president, and state legislators
• Information about elected officials' positions on the issues

www.lwv.org
• League of Women Voters website
• Link to DemocracyNet, which posts candidates' positions

Student activism and public service:

www.communitynetworkers.org
• For students interested in creating a website for a nonprofit group

www.whatkidscando.org
• For student activists in many different areas

www.whatkidscando.org/studentwork/YouthDirectory.html
• Links to many student activist websites in the areas of education reform, social justice, the environment, history and politics, and community service

www.thinkquest.org/tqusa/winZ.html
• Links to award-winning educational websites created by students

For more sites, see "Useful Links" at the bottom of the page.

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