Librarian's Web Guide

Our Web Guide offers links to websites to provide further information based on selections by information service librarians. Choose a subject guide below to expand the menu for recommended links.

 Please Note: The sites below mean that you are leaving the Abilene Public Library and City of Abilene pages. The City is not responsible for any content on linked websites. Visitors to externally linked sites are advised to use caution.

Frequently Used Links

  • 2-1-1 A Call For Help: Access to services in the 19 counties of West Central Texas in areas including housing, food, health, financial, jobs, and transportation.
  • Abilene Independent School District: Public school system including the magnet schools.
  • Big Country Home Educators: The Big Country's home school coalition designed to provide information on the organization, home school laws, and links to home schooling materials.
  • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Access the online application to connect students to federal student aid to help when paying for higher education.
  • IRS Forms & Publications: Access tax forms needed for the filing process.
  • Medicare: Signup for Medicare, read about what Medicare covers, and find doctors, hospitals, and other services that work with Medicare.
  • Social Security: Apply for a Social Security card (or change the information on your card) and learn about Social Security retirement benefits.
  • TRAIL List of Texas Agencies: List of each current Texas state agency with links to their websites.

Arts & Leisure

  • The Center for Contemporary Arts: Providing enriching and educational experiences for the region's communities through the promotion an support of artists and serving 26,000 individuals annually.
  • The Grace Museum: Local museum located in downtown Abilene offering experiences in art, science and history through exhibitions, programs, and collections; also featuring a programming, events, and a children's museum.
  • National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature: Located in Downtown Abilene and offering visual and verbal literacy celebrating the best original art published in children's literature.

Business & Consumer Help

Business Assistance

  • Texas Tech Small Business Development Center: An outreach program of Texas Tech University providing counseling, assistance, and training for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration: National side offering valuable insights into starting, financing, and expanding a business as well as disaster assistance, compliance assistance, contracting opportunities, legislation, and regulations affecting businesses, as well as surviving in a slow economy.

Consumer Services

  • Consumer Complaints & Protection: Powered by USA.gov, this site allows you to file a complaint, get a free copy of the Consumer Action Handbook, learn how to be a smart shopper, understand credit, and more.
  • Texas Department of Insurance ~ Consumer Protection: State department offering information important to consumers including a Bill of Rights, complaint information, filing complaints, credit scoring, consumer services and publications, information about companies, and more.
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Offers information on products, safety education, recalls, the reporting of unsafe projects, regulations and standards, and more.

Databases & Directories

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics: Unequaled for economic statistics including labor market, hours and earnings, Consumer Price Index, and Producer Price Index.
  • Consumer Price Index: Hosted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Standards containing lists of historical CPI's as well as information on how to use the CPI and how the CPI is calculated.
  • Texas Economic Development Business Research: Providing timely information on doing business in Texas including economic and demographic data, analyses and information on industries, and communities statewide.
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: The place to visit to find information on patents and trademarks.

Economics

Investing

Community & Local Resources

Education

  • Abilene Christian Schools: Accredited Pre-K through 12th grade college prepatory school with a mission of integrating Christian faith into everything they do, teach, and sponsor.
  • Abilene Christian University: Private university affiliated with the Church of Christ offering educational services to about 4,600 students annually from nearly every state and 43 nations and offering 71 baccalaureate majors in more than 125 areas of undergraduate study and graduate programs.
  • Abilene Independent School District:    Public school system serving Abilene residents through 12th grade.  Additional links includes the magnet schools for Academy for Technology Engineering Math & Science (A.T.E.M.S.), Holland Medical High School.
  • Cisco Junior College: Local junior college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to offer educational resources in Abilene & Cisco as a public institution.
  • Hardin-Simmons University: Private university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas offering educational resources to more than 2,300 students a year in various graduate and undergraduate programs.
  • Jim Ned Independent School District: Public school system serving residents of Tuscola, Buffalo Gap, and Lawn as a consolidated school district.
  • Kenley School: Local school established for the teaching of students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities designed for boys and girls in 1st through 8th grade.
  • McMurry University: Private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church offering educational resources to more than 1,000 students each year and offering a curriculum of 45 majors.
  • Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing: A consortium of Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University offering education towards baccalaureate and advanced practice nursing degrees.
  • Premier High School of Abilene: Charter school offering individual attention and an academic program allowing students to work at a reasonable pace to maximize their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses.
  • Region 14 Education Service Center: Serving 42 school districts located in the 13 counties that make up the region to deliver services to over 3,900 educators and 200 administrators across 160 campus sites.
  • Texas State Technical College - West Texas: Local technical college to prepare students for a career in a high-tech, high-demand job and offering a wide range of programs and career tracks.
  • Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Pharmacy: Offering educational opportunities for the health care industry by offering access to a School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy.
  • Wylie Independent School District: Public school system serving Wylie residents from early childhood through 12th grade. 

Health & Medicine

  • Abilene Behavioral Health: Behavioral health care facility licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services offering care for addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and additional behavioral issues.
  • Abilene Regional Medical Center: Community healthcare provider offering a 231-bed facility with inpatient, outpatient, medical, surgical and emergency care, as well as an Accredited Chest Pain Center and the area's only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • Abilene State Supported Living Center: 176-acre state supported living center that's home to 333 people and serving 18 counties in the Big Country as well as fostering vocational services and supported employment.
  • Hendrick Health System: The first healthcare facility in Abilene, TX offering access to a 522-bed facility, a women's center, a rehabilitation hospital, cancer center, and additional innovative services.
  • Shades of Hope: All-addiction treatment center specializing in the intensive treatment of eating disorders and located in Buffalo Gap.
  • West Texas Rehabilitation Center: Private, non-profit corporation begun as a treatment center for children with cerebral palsy, but now responds to the needs of the community offer a wide array of outpatient physical, communication, and hearing services to people across West Texas.

Miscellaneous

  • Abilene Convention & Visitor's Bureau: Providing information to residents and visitors of Abilene on places to visit, stay, and eat in the area. Also covers local events and information about local businesses, organizations, and venues.
  • Abilene Cultural Affairs Council: As an affiliate of the Chamber of Commerce, this organization promotes, encourages, and supports the arts for Abilene.
  • Abilene Reporter-News: Local newspaper for the Abilene community; full access online requires a subscription.
  • Abilene Philharmonic: Orchestra performing world class pieces that draw audiences from more than 50 Texas cities and providing a classroom curriculum following with live performances for school children, master classes, and more.
  • The Center for Contemporary Arts: Providing enriching and educational experiences for the region's communities through the promotion an support of artists and serving 26,000 individuals annually.
  • Dyess Air Force Base: Official website of the Dyess Air Force Base, home of the 7th Bomb Wing and located just outside Abilene.
  • Fort Phantom Hill: Open to visitors, Fort Phantom Hill is one of the most pristine historic sites in Texas and one of the second line of forts laid out in the early 1850's to protect the westward-moving frontier of Texas settlement.
  • Frontier Texas: Western heritage history museum, gift shop, and visitor center allowing guests to relive the Old West through state-of-the-art technology.
  • The Grace Museum: Local museum located in downtown Abilene offering experiences in art, science and history through exhibitions, programs, and collections; also featuring a programming, events, and a children's museum.
  • KRBC: Local NBC affiliate.
  • KTAB: Local CBS affiliate.
  • KTXS: Local ABC affiliate.
  • National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature: Located in Downtown Abilene and offering visual and verbal literacy celebrating the best original art published in children's literature.
  • Paramount Theatre:    Fully restored theater that stands as an icon for the revitalization of the downtown district and offering a glimpse in our cinematic and theatrical past.   

Services

  • 2-1-1 A Call For Help: Connects users with information about services in the 19 counties that make up West Central Texas.
  • Abilene 411: Offering access to community resources serving West Central Texas.
  • Abilene Better Business Bureau: Offering consumers and businesses resources including business and charity reviews, complaints, statistics, ratings, and more.
  • Abilene Chamber of Commerce: Organization that exists to develop and promote the economy and quality of life in the Abilene area.
  • Abilene Industrial Foundation: Agency of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce responsible for site selection assistance, marketing, and existing business retention/expansion, and more.
  • Rescue the Animals: Rescue organization covering 20 West Texas counties helping homeless animals, promoting spay/neuter, and fighting animal abuse and neglect.
  • Taylor County: Connecting the community with county information and resources including election information, job openings, navigating the court system, and more.

Computers

  • *Computer Help A to Z: Free website offering tips, articles, and resources to help you learn how to use a computer. Areas covered includes computer basics, hardware, software, tips, computer terms, and more.       
  • *MIT Technology Review: The leading school on technology provides a site to lead the global conversation on technologies that matter to equip people with the intelligence to understand how the world is shaped by technology. 

Education & Home Schooling

Financial Aid

Home Schooling

  • Big Country Home Educators: The Big Country's home school coalition designed to provide information on the organization itself, home school laws, and some links to home schooling materials publishers.
  • Texas Home School Coalition: A nonprofit offering support to home schoolers in Texas. This organization has a Christian foundation. It will not provide for information for the curriculum seeker, but will offer a directory of other home school organizations in Texas.

Institutions & Agencies

  • Apply Texas: Learn how to apply for admission to Texas colleges online in a site offering a centralized means to apply for many institutions in Texas.
  • National Public School and School District Locator: Search for schools and school districts across the country. If your search does not list the school or district you're hoping for, read the Search Tips for more help.
  • Texas Education Agency: Provides access to education law, school data, curriculum and assessment, educational programs, accountability and accreditation, and school finance and grant information.

Standardized Tests    

  • THEA: Find information on the Texas Higher Education Assessment entrance exam for colleges including registration, preparing for the exam, frequently asked questions, getting your results, and more. 

Health, Food & Fitness

Fitness

  • BMI Calculator: Powered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, calculate your body mass index to measure your body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.
  • Exercise and Physical Fitness - MedlinePlus: From the U.S. National Library of Medicine, access a variety of health and fitness topics and the importance of regular physical activity for your overall health.

General Health

  • Merck Manual: Offers a consumers version for accessing information on medical topics, symptoms, emergencies, drug information, and news.
  • National Library of Medicine: Online site of the U.S. National Library of Medicine to connect you with information on all medical-related issues and news.
  • Texas Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology: Created to provide information about Epidemiology, selected diseases, injuries, environmental exposures, and epidemiologic investigations in Texas.

Health Indexes & Directories

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Offering 24/7 coverage of diseases and conditions, healthy living, traveler's information, outbreaks, publications and more to the public.
  • Healthcare.gov: Find information on getting healthcare coverage, information on plans, and getting the answers you need for individuals and families.
  • HealthFinder: Government health site with links to resource-rich health links covering all sorts of health conditions from Acne to Zidovudine.

Nutrition & Food Safety

History & Genealogy

Genealogy | Miscellaneous

Genealogy | Records

Genealogy | Searches

History | Texas History

  • 12th Armored Division: Serving as a display and teaching museum for the study of World War II and its impact on the American people. Located across the street from the Main Library.
  • Abilene Army Airfield, Texas: View historical photos and access information about the airfield built for World War II.
  • Camp Barkeley, Texas: Access information on the history of Camp Barkeley, along with photos of the camp, structures, training, activities, and more.
  • Daughters of the Republic of Texas: Founded in 1891 to perpetuate the memory and spirit of those who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas.
  • Fort Phantom Hill Lake: Learn about the rich history of Lake Fort Phantom Hill. Acquire information if visiting and view a calendar of upcoming events.
  • New Handbook of Texas: One of the best and most authoritative sources of information on Texas history as a project of the Texas State Historical Association.
  • Portal to Texas History: Serving as a gateway to Texas history materials to discover anything from an ancestor's picture in a college yearbook to a rare historical map.
  • Taylor County Historical Commission: Government office organized to remind the residents of the area of their heritage, and to keep alive the names and places which are important to the rich history of this region.

Jobs & Careers

  • Occupational Outlook Handbook: Online version of the Department of Labor publication providing information on job fields, training, education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, and more.
  • Student Training & Education in Public Service (STEP): Learn about the training and education needed in order to get the jobs and careers you want when it comes to helping others.
  • Texas Workforce Commission: State government agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas.         

Law & Government

Law & Legal | Citizenship (U.S.)

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Obtain information on U.S. citizenship, acquiring a green card, official forms, citizenship, and more.
  • U.S. Immigration: Obtain information on preparing for your U.S. Citizenship with a step-by-step guide to completing the Form N-400, or the U.S. Citizenship application, online.

Law & Legal | Texas Laws

Government | Federal

  • FedStats: Offers access to searchable U.S. Government statistics with up-to-date information on the statistical programs of the government.
  • GPO Access: A service of the U.S. Government Printing Office providing free electronic access to a wealth of important information products produced by the Federal Government.
  • Thomas Legislative Information: The Library of Congress site that makes federal legislative information freely available to the public including bill, resolutions, activity in congress, schedules, calendars, and more.
  • U.S. Government Information: Your one-stop site as the government's official web portal to provide access on benefits, grants, loans, immigration, passports, health insurance, and much more.
  • White House: The official site of the White House for the public to access information on the current administration, issues, the briefing room, weekly updates, video/photo galleries, and more.

Government | Congress

  • Congressional Record: Access the the proceedings and debates of the U.S. Congress online that's searchable by date.
  • House of Representatives: Locate your state's representatives and receive information on all committees, activity, an explanation of the duties of the House, news, and more.
  • Library of Congress: An agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government that serves as the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world.
  • Senate: Access information on your senators as well as obtain information on committees, legislation and records, statistics, session schedules, watch floor webcasts of sessions, and more.

Government Agencies

  • Agency for International Development: Working to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity.
  • Central Intelligence Agency: Portal to the agency designated to preempt threats and further U.S. national security objectives to help safeguard the secrets that keep the U.S. safe.
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission: Agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products.
  • Environmental Protection Agency: Designed to protect human health and the environment in the nation.
  • Federal Communications Commission: Responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Established to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system.
  • Federal Election Commission: Administers and enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act that governs the financing of federal elections.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency: Designated to support our citizens and first responders to ensure and improve our capability to be prepared to respond to all hazards.
  • Federal Reserve System: The central bank of the U.S. founded to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Designed to prevent business practices that are anticompetitive or deceptive or unfair to consumers.
  • Food and Drug Administration: Responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
  • Government Printing Office: The government's official, digital, secure resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. government.
  • Immigration and Naturalization Service: Tasked with securing America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system.
  • Internal Revenue Service: Provides America's taxpayers with service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.
  • Library of Congress: Agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government and one of the oldest federal cultural institutions that serves as the research arm of Congress.
  • National Aeronautics and Space Commission: NASA's vision is to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind.
  • National Archives and Records Administration: The nation's record keeper of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the U.S. federal government.
  • National Park Service: Works to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
  • National Transportation Safety Board: Charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in other modes of transportation - railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline.
  • Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Works to protect the retirement incomes of more than 44 million American workers.
  • Postal Service: An independent establishment of the Executive Branch of the government that operates to provide postal services for the nation.
  • Securities and Exchange Commission: Designed to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.
  • Small Business Administration: An independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns.
  • Smithsonian Institute: The world's largest museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities.
  • Social Security Administration: Delivers a broad range of services to deliver social security services that meet the changing needs of the public.
  • Veteran's Affairs: Designed to fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.

Government Departments

  • Dept. of Agriculture: Access information on topics, programs and services, news, glossaries and more on the department responsible for agricultural efforts in the nation.
  • Dept. of Commerce: Perform a search or browse by topics, access data, find news, take a tour, view photos and videos, and more on the department responsible for economic growth and opportunity.
  • Dept. of Defense: The starting point for finding U.S. military information online connecting you with top issues, news, contact information, photos and videos, resources, history, and more.
  • Dept. of Education: Access information on student loans, grants, laws, data, and more.
  • Dept. of Energy: Learn about energy saving methods, public services offered, news, and more.
  • Dept. of Health and Human Services: Responsible for enhancing and protecting the health and well-being of America, access information on medicine, public health, social services, and more.
  • Dept. of Homeland Security: Access news stories, frequently requested pages, associated forms, careers, and more from the department whose mission is to secure the nation.
  • Dept. of Housing and Urban Development: Your one-stop site when it comes to learning about home ownership, renting, and more.
  • Dept. of Interior: Connects users with information relating to working towards protecting and managing the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage.
  • Dept. of Justice: Access information from the department that enforces the law of the nation. Search up-to-date news and videos, resources, the Action Center features, and more.
  • Dept. of Labor: Connecting people with current information on disability resources, employment laws, health plans, benefits, unemployment, retirement, and more.
  • Dept. of State: Responsible for shaping and sustaining a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability everywhere.
  • Dept. of Transportation: Access information from the department charged with the well-being of the transportation system in the nation.
  • Dept. of Treasury: Responsible for maintaining a strong economy and financial system by managing the U.S. Government's finances and resources.

Government | Politics

  • Clerk of the House Election Statistics: Since 1920, the Clerk of the House has collected and published the official vote counts for federal elections from the official sources among the various states and territories.
  • League of Women Voters: Offers up-to-date voter information and provides tools to get involved in the democratic process at the federal, state, and local levels.
  • Project Vote Smart: Non-partisan, non-special interest funded site tracking the performance of over 13,000 political leaders including the president, congress, governors, state legislators, and more.
  • Vote411: A one-stop-shop for election related information providing nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information.

Government | Texas Government

  • Texas League of Women Voters: A nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences policy through education and advocacy.
  • Texas Legislature Online: Access the online portal for information on bills, amendments, statutes, information on the House of Representatives, and more.
  • Texas Online: Provides links to offices and officials for the state of Texas, including links to just about everything you need to know dealing with the Lone Star State. 

Librarian & General Reference

Frequently Requested Information

  • Medicare: Signup for Medicare, read about what Medicare covers, and find doctors, hospitals, and other services that work with Medicare.
  • Social Security: Apply for a Social Security card (or change the information on your card) and learn about Social Security retirement benefits.
  • Texas Unemployment Benefits: Apply for unemployment benefits and view the status of your claim; provided from the Texas Workforce Commission.
  • Your Texas Benefits: Learn what to do to receive Medicaid, food stamps, TANF, Children's Medicaid and CHIP, along with checking your current benefits.

Library Associations

  • American Library Association: The oldest and largest library association in the world that provides information, news, events, and advocacy resources for members, librarians, and library users.
  • Public Library Association: A division of the American Library Association that exists to provide a diverse program of communication, publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service.
  • Texas Library Association: The largest state library association in the U.S. established to promote, support, and improve library services in Texas.

Library Links

  • Abilene Library Consortium: Local consortium consisting of the Abilene Public Library and the university libraries at Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons, and McMurry to deliver higher-quality library services to the community and member libraries.
  • Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Official library of the state designed to safeguard resources, provide information services that inspire and support research, education and reading, and enhance the capacity for achievement of current and future generations.

Statistics

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics: Unequaled for economic statistics including labor market, hours, and earnings, Consumer Price Index, and Producer Price Index.
  • Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics: Health statistics, including births, deaths, and marriages/divorces. Includes links to information on obtaining birth/death certificates, epidemiology, and more.
  • U.S. Census Bureau: Department providing information on the makeup of the nation concerning population, demographics, geographic information, and more.
  • U.S. State Fact Sheets: Provides information on population, per-capita income, earnings per job, poverty rate, total number of jobs, unemployment rate, and more.

Literature

  • Modern Library's Best 100: Provides a list of the top 100 books, the 100 best novels, the 100 best nonfiction titles, and more. Discover great ideas on books to read.
  • Project Gutenberg: Offers over 49,000 free eBooks from works that are in the public domain. Read them online or download them to keep forever.

Math & Science

Science | Astronomy

  • NASA Observatory: Online site of the organization with a mission to share with the public the images, stories, and discoveries about the environment, Earth systems, and climate.
  • NASA: Official site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration connecting users with information on space-related topics, missions, galleries of photos, downloads, and more

Science | Botany

  • Texas Threatened and Endangered Species: A Texas Parks and Wildlife site that includes links to federal and state regulations, as well as pictures and fact sheets on many endangered species of Texas.

Science Miscellaneous

  • Endangered Species Homepage: Site of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service providing information on the endangered animals of U.S. species only.  
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Access information on issues, photos, news, laws and regulations, and more about the agency established to protect human health and the environment. 

Military

  • Abilene 12th Armored Memorial Museum: Profiles the activities and units of the U.S. Army's 12th Armored Division, which served in the European theater of World War II. Located in Downtown Abilene.
  • Air Force Fact Sheets: Produced by the Air Force News Service with information provided by Air Force major commands. Fact Sheets contain information on various Air Force aircraft, weapons, organizations, and selected high-interest subjects.
  • DefenseLINK: Official website of the U.S. Department of Defense and the starting point for finding U.S. military information online including coverage of the different military branches, biographies of leaders in the Defense Department, news, and links to other military-related sites.
  • DOD Dictionary of Military Terms: A dictionary including terms from A-10 to Zulu Time to provide definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms of military terminology.
  • Dyess Air Force Base: Official website of the Dyess Air Force Base, home of the 7th Bomb Wing and located just outside Abilene.
  • Texas Military Forces Museum: Learn about the history of Texas military units from the National Guard to World War II and beyond.
  • U.S. Air Force: Official site of the Air Force with the mission to fly, fight, and win...in air, space and cyberspace. Access news, information, resources, videos, recruitment information, forms and publications, and more.
  • U.S. Army: Official site of the Army to locate the latest news, information on leaders, media coverage, what it takes to join the army, life in the army and more.
  • U.S. Army Symbols & Insignia: Provides a look at a wide assortment of insignias, ribbons, medals, badges, tabs, and badges worn by soldiers. This site explains what they are and what they mean.
  • U.S. Coast Guard: Official site of the Coast Guard, the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security, charged with safeguarding our nation's maritime interests. Access information about the organization, how to join, news, articles, and more.
  • U.S. Marine Corps: Official site of the Marine Corps providing information and resources on this military branch, news, photos, leaders, resources for families, community relations, and providing a great frequently asked questions section.
  • U.S. National Guard: Official site of the National Guard to access information on eligibility requirements, careers, benefits, basic training, enlistment timeline, videos, and more.
  • U.S. Navy: Official site of the Navy, whose mission is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. Access information on careers, how to join, leadership, news, and more.     

Social Services

Children

  • Child Welfare Information Gateway: Provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families from the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Miscellaneous

  • 2-1-1 A Call For Help: Access to information about services in the 19 counties of West Central Texas in areas including housing, food, health, financial, jobs, and transportation.
  • 2-1-1 Texas: Access to information about services available statewide in Texas in areas including housing, food, health, financial jobs, childcare, education, mental health services, and more.
  • Low-Income Housing for Abilene: Locate affordable housing in the Abilene area. Also provides access to online applications, programs, housing changes, income guidelines, and more.
  • Student Training & Education in Public Service (STEP): Learn about the training and education needed in order to get the jobs and careers you want when it comes to helping others.

Seniors

  • Medicare: Official site of the U.S. Government agency for learning how to sign up or change your plan, what your costs will be, what Medicare covers, claims and appeals, forms, and much more.
  • National Council for Aging Care: Maintained by the U.S. Administration on Aging, this site provides guidelines on how to detect and take action to prevent further abuse.

Veterans' Affairs

  • AMVETS: Provides free assistance to veterans to make sure they're getting all the compensation claims to which they're entitled.
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Comprehensive federal resources for veterans with information on all veterans' benefits and services including healthcare benefits, crisis line, vocational rehab and employment, and home loan guaranty services. 

Travel

General Resources

  • CDC Travel Information: Find current health warnings and recommendations for safe travel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Texas Resources

  • Texas Highways - Travel: The travel section of the travel magazine of Texas offering information on events, vacations for day trippers, scenic routes, sites off the beaten path, and more.
  • Texas Monthly - Texas Traveler: Travel section of the popular periodical offering travel advice and ideas across a variety of areas including spas, beaches, festivals, events, sports activities, and more.
  • TourTexas: Offers a great selection of places to see in Texas including destination spotlights, attractions, accommodations, events, dining, and more; includes free brochures.