DATABASES

Consumer Reports Online is published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization.  Since 1936, CU's mission has been to test products, inform the public and protect consumers.  We are a comprehensive source for unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health and nutrition, and other consumer concerns.  Our income is derived solely from the sale of Consumer Reports (in print and online) and other services, and from nonrestrictive, noncommercial contributions, grants, and fees.

Information on leading a healthy life, including treatments and prescription drugs, with evidence-based Treatment Ratings; safety, side effects and interactions information for over 12,000 drugs; and information about natural medicines.

ConsumerLab.com provides comprehensive information about vitamin, herbal and other supplements, and nutritional products.  The site includes ConsumerLab.com's independent product evaluations, lists of quality-approved brands, product recalls, and safety warnings.  A science-based encyclopedia of natural products is also provided, including a drug-interaction database. ConsumerLab.com is not affiliated with manufacturers of health and nutrition products, and test samples used in product reviews are purchased independently.

Consumers' Checkbook is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974 with the help of funding from the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs. They do not accept support from businesses, and their publications and website carry no advertising.

Both the website and the print version of Boston Consumers' Checkbook (available in the Periodicals area) evaluate the quality and prices of local service firms and stores, such as auto repair shops, plumbers, dentists, veterinarians, banks, insurance companies, and many more. Checkbook's special health guides provide you with critical ratings and reports on doctors, hospitals, and health plans. The site also provides various kinds of help to consumers who want to buy or lease a new car.

Resources for Massachusetts elders, including Home Care agencies, assisted living, local Councils on Aging, prescription assistance, and more.

Search for an ACA-accredited camp by name, location, age range, or activity, or search for camp jobs.

Check the health of your bank and/or credit union.

Research information on over 2.5 million organizations, file a complaint, or find a local Better Business Bureau. Also includes news and other consumer information.

News, information and publications on consumer product safety and recalled items.

Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs is a public education project of Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports. The website provides consumers and their doctors with information to help guide prescription drug choices–-based on effectiveness, a drug's track record, safety and price.

Information from the National Center for Accessible Media on the transition to digital broadcasting scheduled for February 2009, and related issues for users of captioning and video description.

Comprehensive information, explanations, videos, and links from WGBH-TV about the February 2009 Digital TV conversion. You can also sign up with them for free email updates.

Home improvement and home repair tutorials, tips, advice, projects and products. Browse by project category, project location, or task.

News and consumer information on products regulated by the FDA, including food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and animal feed and drugs.

From the Family Caregiver Alliance, a nonprofit organization addressing the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home.. The website also includes caregiving information and advice, fact sheets and publications, discussion groups, and public policy and research information related to caregiving.

Search for flu clinics in Massachusetts by zip code, town name, or map location. Some clinics offer pneumococcal ("pneumonia") immunizations as well as seasonal flu immunizations. When clinics begin providing H1N1 swine flu immunizations, that information will also be listed.

One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. News and information on health & safety, planning, research, travel concerns, and more.

Find a local food bank or food rescue organization. Also includes fact sheets and other information about hunger in America.

From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, a website that lets you find and compare gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks. Also includes links to gas price data, gas mileage tips, and information on alternative fuel vehicles.

How can you reach human customer service? This database lists phone numbers and codes to press for hundreds of companies. The gethuman project is a consumer movement to improve the quality of phone support in the US, and this free website is run by volunteers.

From the Environmental Protection Agency's New England office, information and links on reducing the environmental impacts buildings have on their surroundings.

What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Learn more about what's in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling. This database from the National Library of Medicine allows you to search by product, ingredient, or health effects.

Learn about and calculate your environmental impact, choose the best green projects, and search for environmentally-friendly products and local service providers.

From the Massachusetts Extended Care Foundation (MECF), search for a nursing facility, rest home, or assisted living by zipcode, city, or category. The site also includes additional information on nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care.

Consumer advisories, regulations, consumer tips & questions, how to file a consumer complaint, and other consumer information organized by topic.

Over 20 consumer-related topics from autos to a 30-day demand letter are covered. There are numerous links to pamphlets and other information resources. Topics include publications by the Office of Consumer Affairs, state resources, federal resources, and other pertinent information.

Information on Massachusetts-grown farm products and specialty foods, from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Includes lists of pick-your-own farms, farmer's markets, cut-your-own Christmas tree farms and wineries; plus information on Massachusetts fairs, produce tips, a gourmet guide, and a calendar of agricultural events.

Information on selecting a mortgage, including tutorials, spreadsheets, calculators, and a glossary. The "Mortgage Professor" is Jack M. Guttentag, Professor of Finance Emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

This consumer website examines the often overlooked small print on product labels and contracts. A new ad, product, or contract is featured every Monday.

From the U.S. Department of State, information on new requirements for travelers under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), as well as links for information on passports, visas, and other international travel issues, including tips for traveling and living abroad.

The City of Newton Reusable Materials Exchange is designed to assist residents and businesses in Newton sell, give away or exchange items they no longer need or want. To be eligible to post items, you must live or work in Newton. Anyone, regardless of where you live, may respond to a post. You do not have to live in Newton. Listings are posted for free.

A search engine for finding product reviews and buying guides, troubleshooting tips, manufacturer information, and related material for consumer electronic products. The "Examples" section lets users browse through vendor names for reviews and manuals, and the "Products" section provides digital camera, camcorder, TV, and other electronics reviews. Also includes a blog. 

From the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products, pairing ingredients in more than 25,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases.

A blog with online travel information, from a Reference librarian at the Newton Free Library.

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Find out more, or sign up for converter box coupons if you have an analogy TV. From the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Thousands of instructional videos, most of them professionally-produced, on a wide range of subjects, including cooking, gardening, technology, home repair, health, sports, hobbies, parenting and pets. Users may submit questions as well as video answers.