To find electronic and print directories in OneSearch, WorldCat Discovery, or other library catalogs, use the Advanced Search and add the word "Directories" as an additional Subject heading.

Sample searches:  grants AND directories; non-governmental organizations AND directories

You can also do a simple keyword search on your topic with the added word "directory" to get a larger list of results.

Many historical city directories have been digitized and are available on the open web or through subscription databases at research libraries. 

Ready sources of historical city directories online include:

• Internet Archive
• HathiTrust
• Digital Public Library of America

To find city directories in any of these databases, search texts with the name of the city and the words "City Directory." 

Sample Searches:  "New York City Directory" or "Quebec City Directory" or "[any city] City Directory"

The collections of The New-York Historical Society Library and The New York Public Library include extensive holdings of various New York City directories in print. Search the N-YHS and NYPL catalogs to find the directories by formatting a Subject search like this:  "New York (N.Y.) -- Directories"

A comprehensive article by Philip Sutton of the NYPL's Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy on the history of city directories.  Includes links to digitized and microfilmed directories.  Read the full text of this excellent article on the NYPL's website.