Internet Subject Directories

Since there are now millions and millions of web pages, it's hard to know which ones might be good sources of information. One good place to start is one of the many Internet subject lists which are usually called "directories" or "metadirectories" of Internet resources.

A number of libraries and other organizations have compiled large lists of Internet resources, organized by broad subject categories. Some of these directories, e.g. Yahoo!, are huge and will list almost any web page that's created. Other directories, such as the Librarians' Index to the Internet, are highly selective, trying to list only what they think are some of the best Internet resources.

Some directories, like the Librarians' Index to the Internet, give a brief description of each web site they link to in order to help you select sites which would be appropriate for your needs. Others, like the Argus Clearinghouse, even evaluate and rate the sites. In addition, there are subject directories which specialize in listing databases and other Web sites whose contents are not usually found by Internet search engines. (These databases and sites are usually referred to as the Invisible Web).)

Using a subject directory is sort of like browsing a certain section in the library to see what's there. Explore some of these excellent subject directories:

WWW Sources Selected by Librarians

• Librarians' Internet Index
• INFOMINE: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections
• Academic Info
• Internet Public Library, Reference Center
• BUBL Link Catalogue of Internet Resources

Other Excellent Subject Guides

• Yahoo!
• Google Web Directory
• Argus Clearinghouse for Subject-Oriented Internet Resource Guides
• The WWW Virtual Library
• What You Need to Know About
• dmoz: The Open Directory Project

• Invisible Web: What It Is, Why It Exists, ... (a tutorial from the U.C. Berkeley Teaching Library)
• Complete Planet
• Librarians' Index to the Internet - Advanced Search Mode - Limit your search to databases by clicking in the box in front of the word "Databases" (under the search boxes).