About KnowUK

KnowUK is an online service developed to provide UK reference information. It is the most comprehensive resource of its kind, offering a complete library of UK information. Since its launch in December 1998, KnowUK has tripled in size in terms of content.

What can KnowUK help me do?

KnowUK is a powerful online reference tool, which can be used to:

• Research college assignments/essays
• Research questions for TV quiz shows
• Answer queries at the reference desk
• Support teaching of information literacy
• Fact check newspaper stories
• Do your homework
• Plan business trips to places in the UK
• Find funding for university courses
• Answer queries for digital reference services
• Read reference books with a speaking browser
• And much much more…

What does KnowUK contain?

Over 100 reference publications provide a comprehensive resource for everybody in the UK. Most are unique to KnowUK and are not available elsewhere online. Many of these are updated more frequently than the equivalent print copy, so KnowUK is the place to search first. To illustrate the breadth and depth of information available in KnowUK, here's a sample of the information available in each of the categories:

• Arts and Media - Willing's Press Guide
• Biographies - Debrett's People of Today [Looking for Who's Who?]
• Courses and Careers - UK Course Discover
• Education - The Good Schools Guide Events - The Year Ahead
• General Knowledge - Whitaker's Almanack
• Government - The Municipal Yearbook and The Civil Service Yearbook
• Grants and Funding - The Educational Grants Directory
• Health and Welfare - The Welfare Benefits Guide
• Law - The Law Society Directory of Solicitors
• Libraries, Museums and Archives - British Archives and The Libraries Directory
• Organisations, Associations and Charities - The Voluntary Agencies Directory and ASK Hollis
• Personal Finance - Which? Guide to Money and Which? Guide to Planning your Pension
• Religion - Crockford's Clerical Directory
• Tourism and Leisure - Blue Guide to Scotland and the Good Food Guide

This resource is accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection. From outside Westminster libraries simply type in the barcode number on your Westminster library card. Not a member? Join now. 

• Go straight to KnowUK
• Go to the 24/7 Library Exclusive Resources page
• Go to the Business page of the Gateway to websites