Minnesota, National and International Directories

• Print Directories: The Wilson Reference Desk collection will continue to have print directories for the Twin Cities Metropolitan areas, Hawaii, Alaska, and toll-free telephone directories in print. The University Libraries does not purchase telephone directories for the state of Minnesota or for any other states than those mentioned above.
• Phonefiche: We own the Phonefiche for both the white and yellow pages for Minneapolis and St. Paul from 1990 – present. They are located at Wilson Reference Microfiche 69-72. We no longer purchase Phonefiche for the United States; however, we still provide access to the 2000 edition. It is located at Wilson Reference Microfiche 15. These materials are located in the Microforms collection in the Wilson Reference room (Northwest corner). Please ask at the Wilson Reference Desk for assistance, (612) 626-2227.

• Web Directories:

Note: The libraries are increasingly relying on the Web for access to telephone directories. The directions below will take you to a listing of directory providers.

To access telephone directories online:

1. Go to the University Libraries Home Page at http://www.lib.umn.edu/
2. Click on "Reference Sources"
3. Click on "Phone Books".
4. Select the phone book database that you would like to search.
5. Search for the state, country or city of the telephone directory you are looking for.
6. Select your telephone directory and search for the individual or business you are seeking.

Where to start:

• Minnesota: Go to QwestDex.com available at: http://www.qwestdex.com/.
• Businesses: Reference USA Business Module. This database is available only to students, faculty, and staff of the U of M unless accessing from a U of M campus library. (It will be available after 10-1-01.)
• United States:

AnyWho -- http://www.anywho.com/ Use AnyWho to find: phone numbers, addresses, maps & directions for Business and People in the U.S.

Big Yellow -- http://www.anywho.com/ Big Yellow, owned by Verizon, provides yellow page access to business in the United States and when available, white pages.. The global directories section provides a compilation of yellow page directories from around the world.

• Other Libraries Holdings:

 

Minnesota Historical Society (651) 296-2143	Minnesota: This is the best place to go or call for Minnesota telephone directories. They maintain a complete collection for all locations in Minnesota for all dates available. Patrons are encouraged to come in to use this collection. Lookups will be performed, but for a fee.
Minneapolis Public Library (612) 630-6100	Minnesota: MPL owns current directories for most cities; however, it is not a complete collection. United States: US collection contains numerous directories from the states surrounding MN and the major US cities are well represented. They also own some international telephone books for major cities.
Hennepin County Library System – Southdale Branch (952) 847-5900	Note: Print directories are at the Southdale branch only. Minnesota: They own current directories for most cities; however, it is not a complete collection. United States: They own Yellow page directories for most major U.S. cities, London, Mexico City, and selected Canadian cities. Also subscribe to Reference USA residential & business modules.
St. Paul Public Library (651) 632-5175	Minnesota: They own directories for the Twin Cities metropolitan area only.
Ramsey County Library System (651) 628-6803	Minnesota: They own current directories for most cities; however, it is not a complete collection.

International Telephone Directories:

• There are several Web sites that provide access to international telephone directories. WorldPages.com is one of the best directories of telephone books. For other selections, please follow the instructions on the other side of this guide for finding Minnesota and national directories.

• Print Directories:

• The directories that we own in print are shelved in 180B, a small room inside the reference room. Please ask at the reference desk for access to this collection. They include: