Home & Life Center
= Key resource. To login, enter the 14-digit barcode number (without spaces)
from your Homer library card.
Automobiles
- Auto
Repair Reference Center
: Maintenance and repair instructions from Chilton's manuals. Also includes
service bulletins and recall information.
- Car & Driver: Reviews and
road tests from the magazine, vehicle comparisons, Kelley Blue Book values,
and more.
- Edmunds.com: Reviews, pricing information,
and buying tips for new and used vehicles.
Computers (Software downloads)
- Find free programs (tested and rated):
- Adware/spyware protection:
- Instant messaging:
- File players and viewers:
- Adobe:
Adobe Reader and Flash and Shockwave players.
- RealPlayer: Popular audio and video
software.
- Other software and utilities:
Consumer Information
- AnnualCreditReport.com:
Request a free copy of your report from each of the three major credit
reporting companies.
- ConsumerGuide: Product reviews,
price guides, etc.
- Consumer Reports: A paid
subscription is required to see ratings and recommendations, but lots
of general advice is available for free.
- Consumer
Reports via ProQuest
: Archive going back to 1996; new issues are delayed 3 months. (Use the
Publications tab to find Consumer Reports.)
- Consumer's Guide to Energy
Efficiency: From U.S. Department of Energy. Includes advice about
sizing home heating and cooling systems.
- ConsumerSearch: Analyzes
reviews from magazines and other sources to get a consensus opinion about
the best products.
- Epinions.com: Products are rated
by people who bought them.
- Recalls.gov: Find product recalls
and safety alerts issued by the federal government.
Education
- ERIC
(in FirstSearch)
: Articles and research about teaching methods and other educational issues.
- LearningExpressLibrary
: Online practice exams: AP, college admissions, civil service, fire and
police, real estate, basic skills, and more. Also includes exam guides
in ebook format.
- FAFSA: Submit the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid online.
- FinAid: Information about college
finance options, free scholarship search.
- Interactive Illinois Report Card:
Look up and compare test scores and other Illinois School Report Card data
for schools and districts.
- Local School Links: Links to local
school Web sites, at HomerCommunity.org.
- For homework and research help, go to our Student
Center.
Food
Genealogy
Health
- Chicago Magazine: Runs an annual
"Top Doctors" list.
- Deciphering Medspeak:
Translations of medical terms into plain English.
- DIRLINE: Directory of Health
Organizations Online, from the National Library of Medicine.
- Illinois Poison Center
- Mayo Clinic: Authoritative
information about diseases and conditions, medicines, and general health
issues.
- MedLine Plus: Medical encyclopedia,
articles, and other health information from the National Library of Medicine.
- Merck Manuals: Free online
versions of the popular medical reference books. Information about many
conditions and treatments.
- Nutrition
and Health: Information from University of Illinois Extension.
- RxList: Information about drugs,
plus articles and video clips about health issues.
- West Nile Virus: Links to information
about the disease, prevention measures, and treatment.
- Health pamphlets, booklets, and bookmarks available at the library for in-library use.
House and Garden
Houses/Homes
- FCIC: Your Home: Federal Citizen Information Center's information on buying, selling, renting, moving, and other home related topics.
- Homes and Communities- Dept. of Housing and Urban Development: Information on buying, selling, renting, grants, and other useful information
- Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending
:Federal Reserve Board's information about where to shop, what to look for, application process, rights to fair lending.
- Home
Purchases: Database of residential transactions, on the Chicago Tribune's
site.
- Illinois Housing Development Authority: Information on Home Ownership Programs and other Illinois housing information.
- Mortgages: For Home Buyers and Homeowners: Mortgage facts, tips, and calculators.
- MortgageLoan.com Find and compare current rates for home mortgages (include mortgage calculator.)
- Zillow.com: Find real estate valuations, homes for sale, and real estate information.
Jobs and Careers