Office of State Library
For more information: Suzanne Miller, 773-3131

(Pierre) -- South Dakotans now have free access to a nationwide online telephone directory. The South Dakota State Library provides remote access to the ReferenceUSA database from its Web site at http://www.sdstatelibrary.com/.

"Using ReferenceUSA is like having every telephone book nationwide at your fingertips," said State Librarian Suzanne Miller. "It is a directory of U.S. businesses, governments, and people."

Phone numbers and addresses are searchable by name, geography, phone, business type, sales volume, number of employees, and other search keys. Additional details are provided for each business and personal listing, such as maps and Census data.

Information from the ReferenceUSA database is ideal for:

• • job seekers looking for companies and contact names; 
  • sales people looking for leads or conducting market research; 
  • entrepreneurs searching for business opportunities or suppliers; 
  • planning family reunions, weddings, and class reunions; 
  • finding neighbors, long-lost friends, and relatives; 
  • consumers locating out-of-town companies; 
  • vacationers finding motels, restaurants, and attractions in other cities.

The database of 90 million U.S. households and 102 million U.S. residents is created from 3,800 White Pages directories. The database also includes 12 million U.S. businesses, nonprofit firms, and government agencies. 

Citizens with state library cards may access this database from any computer with Internet access. To obtain a State Library card free of charge, call 1-800-423-6665 or request one through the State Library’s Web site at http://www.sdstatelibrary.com. Citizens without Internet access at home may use ReferenceUSA at an Internet terminal at their local public library. The South Dakota State Library provides its services to all South Dakotans at no charge. Its services include alternative formats, such as Braille and audio.

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