DMPL Online Resources »
Need Research Databases for Articles and Book Sections to Print Out?
Our research databases may have just the thing you're looking for.
DMPL Fun Facts File »
For over the past 60 years the Reference Department of the Des Moines Public Library has kept a card file of answers that were difficult to find and likely to be requested again. Because you never know when you'll need to know which Iowa town published the first advertising calendar! Oh, and we'll be adding new stuff too - check back often.
Ask an Expert »
Searchable list of over 300 subject experts to answer your questions by e-mail.
Internet Public Library Ready Reference Collection »
Very large collection of links to Internet reference tools organized by subject and annotated.
Virtual Gumshoe »
Investigative resources on the Web. Emphasis is on resources for finding missing persons, fugitives, birthparents and old friends.
Quick Facts Bartleby »
An all-in-one reference site including full text of fiction and non-fiction public domain texts, poetry, and reference works including the Columbia Encyclopedia and Columbia Gazetteer, There are also books covering quotations, English usage, Religion & Mythology, literary history, and even the Fannie Farmer Cookbook!
Biography Resource Center »
Full-text articles about well-known people. Often there are photographs and supporting magazine articles, reviews, and websites.
Dead People Server »
Searchable by name, but scroll half-way down the page to find the results of your search.
DeskRef »
Quick Reference Links
InfoPlease »
This online almanac provides information on a wide array of subjects including current events, history, business, government, a homework center, plus the regular reference sources: atlas, encyclopedia, thesaurus, dictionary, etc.
OneLook »
A one-stop dictionary source. Enter a word and the site will search for definitions from 931 different dictionaries including religious, medicinal, slang, and traditional ones such as Merriam-Webster.