The How-to Guides offer in-depth assistance on how to research a particular topic. Think of these guides as asking a librarian a question like "How do I get started in opening a small business?" The How-to Guide will lead you through the process of answering the question and explain what you will need to do, step by step.
Show-Me-Guides are short videos that show you how to do something, usually using the Pratt Web site or on the Internet. You can see, step-by-step, how to find someone's telephone number, search for journal articles, find an appraiser and much more.
The collection of How-to Guides and Show-Me-Guides is growing, so if you don't see what you want, check out the Subject Guides, which offer Web links, reference books, and electronic databases covering hundreds of different topics. If you still need assistance, feel free to Ask a Question.
General Library Research Census Data by Zip Code (3:29 min)
Downloading eAudiobooks (3:34 min)
Find a Person (3:56 min)
Need to find someone's phone number or address? Online directories can find it fast.
Finding and Evaluating Electronic News Sources
Finding Special Collections (3:23 min)
View and search the Cator Collection of Baltimore Views.
How Do I Find Out if a Movie Has Public Performance Rights?
How to Find Audiovisual Materials on Pratt’s Online Catalog
How to Find the Audiobook That You Want
Literary Criticism for High School and College Students
People Finder
Periodicals in Research: A Guide for Library Users
Periodicals Powersearch (3:26 min)
Learn how to search multiple databases at once to find the magazine, newspaper and journal articles you need.
Searching for Large Print Books (3:58 min)
Submitting a Poem for Publication
Using the Library: A Guide to the Enoch Pratt Free Library
Using the Library: A Guide for Students and Teachers
African American Research
African American Genealogy
Researching African American Scientists and Inventors: A Guide for Library Users
Researching the Underground Railroad
Searching for African American Patents (3:35 min)
Business
Finding Consumer Information Online
Finding the Funds: A Guide for the Entrepreneur
How to Get a Free Credit Report
How to Get a Job
How to Read a Stock Page
How to Research a Marketing Plan
Identity Theft
I'm a New Manager, Now What?
Investment Sources for Beginners
Real Estate: A Guide for Homebuyers and Renters
Starting Your Small Business Successfully
Cars
How to Buy a Car
Children Finding Books for Children (3:23 min)
Using Novelist K-8 to find a book for your child to read.
Getting the Picture: Using Picture Books for Pleasure and Learning
Helping You Surf Safely: Tips for Families
School Readiness: Birth to Age Three
Collectibles Determining Book Condition (2:19 min)
How Much Are My Antiques and Collectibles Worth?
How Much Is My Old Book Worth?
How to Find an Appraiser (3:48 min)
What to Do with an Old Stock Certificate
What's this Coin Worth? What's this Bill Worth?
Helping You Surf Safely: Tips for Families
How Do I Open an Email Account?
Identity Theft
Education
Finding Information about Colleges
Home Schooling – Is It the Right Choice for You? .
How to Get a GED in Maryland
Using the Library: A Guide for Students and Teachers
Genealogy
Determining Soundex Codes (1:16 min)
Learn how to find the soundex code for a last name for your genealogical research.
Genealogy at the Pratt Library
A Guide to Genealogical Research in the Maryland Department
A Guide to Genealogical Research in the Periodicals Department Locating Passenger Arrival Information at the Port of Baltimore (3:50 min)
Preserving Your Family History
Grants/Nonprofits
How to Find Grant Sources for Individuals
How to Find Grants for Your Nonprofit Organization
Reading a 990-PF (2:45 min)
Learn how to read a foundation's IRS return to see if it is appropriate for your organization to approach for funding.
Health
Choosing a Doctor
History
Edgar Allan Poe: In Baltimore and at the Enoch Pratt Free Library
How Did They Live?: Exploring Daily Life throughout History
How to Find Information about Foreign Aid
Researching African American Scientists and Inventors: A Guide for Library Users
Researching the History of Your House
The WPA and America
Homework Help
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read!
Edgar Allan Poe: In Baltimore and at the Enoch Pratt Free Library
How Did They Live?: Exploring Daily Life throughout History
Literary Criticism for High School and College Students
Periodicals in Research: A Guide for Library Users
Researching African American Scientists and Inventors: A Guide for Library Users
Researching William Shakespeare
Science Project Resources for Students
Using the Library: A Guide to the Enoch Pratt Free Library
Using the Library: A Guide for Students and Teachers
Immigration
New to America
Are you a newcomer to America or Maryland trying to learn a new language and culture? Are you helping a newcomer establish a home here? This guide can help you start your new life and build a community for yourself and your family.
Jobs/Careers
Using the Maryland Workforce Exchange Web Site (3:26 min)
Law
Getting Started in Legal Research: A Guide for the Average Joe or Jill
Using the U.S. Code Online (4:03 min)
Maryland
Baltimore Neighborhood Research Guide
Edgar Allan Poe: In Baltimore and at the Enoch Pratt Free Library
Getting Started in Legal Research: A Guide for the Average Joe or Jill
A Guide to Genealogical Research in the Maryland Department
How to Become an Informed Voter in Maryland
Maryland Music Resources
New to America
Researching the History of Your House
Movies/Music
How Do I Find Out if a Movie Has Public Performance Rights?
How to Find Popular Music Information Online
How to Find Audiovisual Materials on Pratt’s Online Catalog
I Love That Movie! How Do I Get A Copy?
Maryland Music Resources
Real Estate
Historic House Solutions: Extreme Makeover or Design on a Dime
Real Estate: A Guide for Homebuyers and Renters
Researching the History of Your House
Politics
How to Become an Informed Voter in Maryland
Green Living
Historic House Solutions: Extreme Makeover or Design on a Dime
How to Search for Patents
Researching African American Scientists and Inventors: A Guide for Library Users
Science Project Resources for Students
Searching for African American Patents (3:35 min)
Finding Sports Statistics Online (3:33 min)
Travel Tips: Making Your Dollar Stretch Further
What Do I Read Next?
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read!
Click Now to Find Your Next Good Read!
Got to Be Read: Discover Good Books by African American Authors Using the Web
If I Could Save Time in a Novel: A Guide for Historical Fiction Lovers
Isn't It Romantic? A Guide for Romance Lovers
Organizing and Running an Adult Book Discussion Group
Out-of-This-World Reading: A Guide for Lovers of Science Fiction and Fantasy
Taking the Mystery out of Mysteries: A Guide for Mystery Lovers