Resources

Reference Sources
Addictomatic - A customizable searching site that "feeds" you up to the minute information on whatever topic you are interested in.

Ars Technica - This is one of the best news/opinion/reference sources out there for technology information. 

eHow - A site that answers almost any question you can think of starting with "How do I...?"

Fact Check - These days we all get bombarded with political advertising from all parties. Have you ever wondered how much of it is true? This site tracks speeches, ads, debates, etc and shows what is factual and what is exaggeration.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - "The IRS taketh away, but the IRS also giveth"...in the form of a website packed with user friendly how-tos, copies of necessary documents and notifications of changes.

Internet Public Library - A great source for any librarian, this site offers tons of validated websites, pathfinders, free encyclopedias and so much more.

Make Use Of - A fantastic site that includes "cool websites, software and internet tips" - basically how one can 'make use of' the technology one uses. This site also features lists (I love lists!) of best apps (this one is for iPhone) and best websites.  

MEDgle - Medical information for practitioners and patients.

OneLook - OneLook searches dozens of online dictionaries for word meanings. The home page shows several different ways to search the site, including reverse definitions. I myself used that last feature to formulate this sentence: Logophiles will just adore this site.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - A spot-on source of information, research and memories of this terrible time in history.

WhatIs? - Finally, someone took pity on the non-tech crowd and made this life saver of a site. This place includes a complete (or as near as one can come) computer/technology glossary, additional terminology and cheat sheets.

WolframAlpha - It is difficult for me to describe exactly what this site does. It calculates and finds information, but in a manner that I have not seen anywhere else. The tagline for the site is 'Computational Knowledge Engine' and it's fascinating to see what you can find with it. For example, I had no idea there was a "waxing gibbous moon" on the night of my birth. Basically you enter information and it spits out factual data. Look here or here for some different ways you can use it.

Books and Reading
The Book Smugglers - A pair of savvy gals provide tons of great book reviews, interviews and events. They focus mainly on speculative fiction and young adult.

Daily Lit - I love this free service. Choose from hundreds of books and then choose a date, time and location (computer or mobile device) to get e-mailed short installments from those books. You can also read online, if you wish. Absolutely perfect for commuters or those who have little time to sit down and read.

Lit Lovers - A book club resource that offers reviews, questions, suggestions and tons of other great stuff.

Nancy Pearl's website - The librarian's librarian gives book reviews and suggestions.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - A snarky, fabulously smart pair of women blog about, discuss and recommend romance novels. Beware of some no-holds-barred language.

Thrift Books - I don't really want to advertise commerical websites on here if I can help it, but this one is too good to pass up (and Nancy Pearl suggested it to me). Especially good for bookclubs or 'one and done' readers, Thriftbooks is a conglomerate of used book stores. The books on this site generally (bestsellers and harcovers may vary) go for $3.95 each with free shipping. 

(Not Just For) Kids Stuff
Columbia Kids - A magazine that discusses and organizes information on the history of the Pacific Northwest. I'm ashamed to say (as someone who grew up in Bellingham, WA) I had no idea who Dirty Dan Harris was until I discovered this website.

Great Websites for Kids - A collection of websites vetted and examined by the Association for Library Service to Children. There are some great finds here!


Multifarious (IS THIS A GREAT WORD OR WHAT) Sources of Free Information and Services
Cars - An amazing free resource that will help you start your research into all aspects vehicular.

Good to Know - Google has created this useful collection of information, from online data management to keeping yourself and your information safe online.

Khan Academy - A wealth of videos and exercises on literally any topic you wish to learn about. A staff member jokes that her young grandson has almost finished his college degree by watching these videos. There is a focus on Math and Science subjects, but the topics are as wide ranging as they are interesting. This site is not intended for very young children.

Mental Floss - I have always loved random facts (incidently, these facts will stick in my memory the longest, but I digress). Here one can browse a plethora of the strangest, wierdest , most amazing and just plain silliest facts anywhere. I owe all of my geekiest conversation starters to this site. "Hey, did you know Wal-Mart once banned a t-shirt that read 'Someday a woman will be President'?"

Pet Place - A great source for veterinarian approved articles on everything canine and feline.

Remember the Milk - A free task manager service that is also available in app format.

Still Tasty? - I laughed for about five minutes when I looked at this site. I'm one of those people who opens their refrigerator and does the "well...it smells ok" test on the food. Never again! This site provides shelf life information on virtually every type of food you can think of.

Themeefy - Make a digital 'magazine' with media, articles and other information from the web. Perfect for a unique school project or curating your own special collection of information on a particular subject.

Fun
Anatomy Arcade  - A ridiculously fun website that lets you play games in order to learn all different parts of the body. I desperately wish I had these enjoyable games when I was in high school. They are better than flash cards any day!

MoviesFoundOnline - A collection of movies, television shows and documentaries that are a part of public domain (i.e. outside of copyright restrictions).

Web Comics
Girl Genius - Adventure! Romance! Mad Science! Gaslamp fantasy. Snarky cats. Talking castles. Let the madness ensue.

Unshelved - The long running (and eternally popular in library staff rooms) comic about the staff at a public library. Also includes book suggestions and some sweet merchandise.