Reliable Web Reference Sites

The American Library Association MARS (Machine-Assisted Reference Section*) has just published the 11th Annual list of best free reference sites. The list recognizes outstanding reference sites on the World Wide Web. You can find the list here.

* I have always thought the MARS acronym particularly appropriate--sort of a space agey name--Machine-Assisted Reference.

New Tool

Refsek* is a search engine designed to make academic information available to students and researchers. My first search got no results (Truman Capote), but you have the option of searching again using Google, Yahoo, Ask, or Live. Other searches had better results. The site seems to retrieve "academic" information from .org, .edu, and .gov sites. Could be useful for new searchers unfamiliar with verifying their information. The directory (click on link in upper right) has links to reference sources and a list of teacher resource sites. 

Here is a tool to really keep an eye on. Reference Extract is a new search engine under development by OCLC (the multinational library organization that brings us NetLibrary, WorldCat and OpenCat, among many more library-focused tools and services). This search engine will be built for

maximum credibility by relying on the expertised and credibility judgements of librarians from around the globe. Users will enter a search term and get results weighted towards sites most often referred to by librarians at institutions such as the Library of Congress, the University of Washington, the State of Maryland, and over 1,400 libraries worldwide.

The Planning Reference Extract blog has more information. The blog also seeks librarian input into the development process.