Idaho Reference Sources

Drawing of the Idaho state flower - Syringa.

Any Idaho library staff member should be aware of the basic print reference sources on Idaho.  The following are some of the often used and helpful resources:

Idaho Blue Book.  Idaho Office of the Secretary of State.
This biennial factbook provides a profile of the state - historical and current - and covers the different branches and levels of government, past and present elected officials, and contact information for state agencies, commissions and boards.  It includes economic and demographic statistics, plus information on education, the media, and outdoor recreation.  This is definitely a book you need to know well, as it is one of the most useful Idaho resources available.  To request a free copy for your library, e-mail the Secretary of State's Office at [email protected].

Idaho Place Names:  A Geographical Dictionary, by Lalia Phipps Boone.  University of Idaho Press, 1988.
A handy reference for quick definitive explanations of the place names of Idaho, this gazetteer includes place location within the county, township and range, source of the place name, and, often, a brief history.

Collage of several natural and man-made scenes in Idaho.

Idaho for the Curious:  A Guide, by Cort Conley.  Backeddy Books, 1982.
This is a guide to Idaho's history "in a geographical context, not a guide to restaurants, motels, and campgrounds ....  Material has been arranged according to highway number."  [Preface, p. viii]  Examples of contents include cities and towns, early trails, contemporary roads and highways, Indian reservations, mines and ghost towns, bridges and dams, canyons, caves, and hot springs - all described with wit and appeal.  This is a "don't-miss" for your Idaho collection.

Idaho Atlas & Gazetteer.  4th ed.  DeLorme, 2000.
Topographic maps depict in detail the physical features of an area, such as road and trails, bodies of water, elevation, and vegetation.  This atlas of 46 Idaho topographic maps includes:  BLM public lands, campgrounds, fishing, hiking, and hunting information, historic sites and museums, national forests and recreation areas, and state parks.  This is a reasonably priced and helpful resource for Idaho outdoor information; you may want a second copy for circulation.

Women sorting potatoes in a factory.

Idaho Business Directory.  American Business Directories.
This annual publication is the only print source listing all businesses in a city and all businesses in the state by category.  Listings for even the smallest businesses contain company name, address and phone number listings.  While too expensive for many libraries, this directory is a unique resource you need to know about.

Additional valuable information about Idaho can be found on the Web.  If you are not already familiar with the following Web sites, you will want to explore them.  Idaho's Official Web site is a good place to begin; it serves as a portal to Idaho government and provides links to the other Web sites listed.

Access Idaho Logo

Idaho's Official Web site - Access Idaho.  State of Idaho.
This Web site, http://www.idaho.gov, was created to make government less complicated and more accessible to the citizens and businesses of Idaho.  Using the menu in blue on the left of the screen, you will find some features that are especially helpful for Idaho schools and libraries.

Librarians in public libraries, in particular, will want to become familiar with the content of this Web site; it will steer you to a treasure trove of Idaho information.
 

Three dimensional map of Idaho.


Idaho Department of Commerce Web Site.  Idaho Department of Commerce.
This Web site, http://cl.idaho.gov, provides a variety of useful information for librarians and their patrons.  From the black menu on the left of the screen, you can choose from major categories:

A helpful feature on this site is the page "Community & County Profiles."  It contains summaries on more than 100 Idaho communities and all 44 counties, including information on demographics, labor force, community services, transportation, wages, communications, utilities and education.  In addition, the Community Profiles list key contact people for the area.  Also available at this site (by scrolling to the bottom of the page) are two summary tables, arranged by county, that you may find helpful; one covers vital statistics, and the other land holdings.

Idaho Small Business Solutions.  Idaho Small Business Development Center.
Designed to assist in establishing or expanding a person's business, this site's special feature is a "Business Wizard" which produces a customized checklist of local, state, and federal regulations that are likely to affect a business.  It provides information on licenses, permits, and registering your business in Idaho.  This site is the result of the combined efforts of more than 20 local, state, and federal agencies in Idaho; it is maintained by the Idaho Small Business Development Center in Boise at http://www.idahobizhelp.org.

Mountains of Idaho as seen through a magnifying glass.

INSIDE Idaho.  University of Idaho.
The Interactive Numeric& Spatial Information Data Engine (INSIDE Idaho) is the official clearinghouse for Idaho geospatial data, including images, maps and data with a geographic component.  The state's land management agencies, the Departments of Lands, Water Resources, Environmental Quality, and Transportation, are the primary contributors to this site.  It contains an atlas of printable maps, an interactive facility for creating maps, and links to other interactive mapping sites and data.  It can be found at http://www.insideidaho.org.

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