1. Linda Zellmer Government Information & Data Services Librarian Western Illinois University LR-Zellmer@wiu.edu

2. Introduction Sources of community information. State & Local information. Census Data. Agricultural Data. Grant Resources. Historical Resources (tourism).

3. State & Local Information Community Profiles (Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Development). County and Community Information (Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Development). School Test Scores. Illinois Chamber of Commerce – local chambers sometimes link to area businesses. Yellow Pages – number and types of businesses in a particular category (restaurants, plumbers, etc.).

4. Census & Economic Data American FactFinder (U.S. Census Bureau). Single site for accessing population, housing & economic data. Decennial Census – data collected for every resident every 10 years. American Community Survey – annual survey of a sample of the population. Economic Census – data collected every 5 years. Annual Economic Surveys – County Business Patterns. Some data may not be available at the community level (privacy issues).

5. American FactFinder

6. Agricultural Data Agricultural Statistics – data on production, prices and exports. Census of Agriculture – data on production, land use & ownership, farm operators, production practices, income, farm expenditures and other topics. Crop Progress – weekly report on planting, growing and harvesting progress and condition of crops. Weekly Weather & Crop Bulletin – weather information, impact of weather on crops & crop progress.

7. Grant Resources USDA Rural Development Grants. U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development – rural development grants. National Trust for Historic Preservation – funds surveys of structures for historic preservation.

8. Historical Resources Historical Tourism. Historic Structures Inventory – available for most Illinois counties and some communities. Illinois Historic Aerial Photographs. Historic Maps. David Rumsey Collection – http://www.davidrumsey.com. http://www.davidrumsey.com University of Illinois Digital Maps - http://images.library.uiuc.edu/projects/maps/. http://images.library.uiuc.edu/projects/maps/ Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Warner & Beers Atlas of the State of Illinois, 1876.

9. Historic Structures Inventory

10. Historic Aerial Photographs Phase I Site Assessment. How was this property used before I decided to buy it? What type of business has been located on this property before I decided to buy it for my business? Good for identifying potential environmental problems (leaking underground storage tanks, waste oil disposal).

11. Havana, 1938

12. David Rumsey Collection

17. University of Illinois Digital Maps Carthage, Illinois Topographic Map.

18. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

20. Nature Tourism Other tourism options – visit state park, natural features or other local sites (tour a farm). Illinois State Geological Survey – Field Trip Guidebooks. Spring & Fall Migration and mating seasons. Winter Bald Eagles. Illinois Natural History Survey. Illinois Audubon Society. Nature Conservancy in Illinois.

21. Online Demonstration American Factfinder – http://www.factfinder.gov/.http://www.factfinder.gov/ David Rumsey Collection – http://www.davidrumsey.com. http://www.davidrumsey.com