Research & Resources
Search Engines
On this page:
Do You Want a Search Engine or a Database?
While searching the Web is a great way to find information, keep in mind that what you find on a web site may be out of date, biased, or just plain inaccurate. A database, on the other hand, provides targeted and accurate information from authoritative sources on a particular subject. For more information to help you choose whether to use a database or a search engine, see our Databases vs. Web Sites FAQ.
Major Search Engines
Reference Directories
A reference directory works like a regular search engine, but gives you more accurate results because you first choose a subject category in which to search for your terms.
Meta Search Engines
A meta search engine runs your search on several different search engines simultaneously, then provides your results in a single list. Usually, a site will appear higher in your results list if it comes up in more than one search engine.
Search Engines for Kids
The following search engines are designed for kids for safe-surfing.
- Ask.com for Kids
- Allows you to ask a question in plain English.
- Yahoo Kids
- The "Web Guide for Kids" with lots of fun, safe sites.
- Awesome Library
- 14,000 web sites for kids.
- Kids Click!
- Great sites found by librarians.
Note to Parents:
The library cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these search engines; no filtering software is guaranteed to block all unwanted material. Filters may also block material that is desirable, and that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In most cases, you will find the information you are seeking; if you do not, use another search engine that does not have filtering software.