The need for information, and the need for a guide for those whose job it is to find information, or to help others to find it, continues unabated. This, the third edition of ‘KIAFIF', is a thorough revision of the second edition of 2004. More than ever we find how rapidly the familiar landmark reference books have disappeared or become websites, sometimes free, sometimes only available on subscription, sometimes tricky to use. Websites appear and disappear with confusing rapidity; publishers and information producers change their names; sponsors and advertisers intrude; and the increasing dependence on computers and communications technology add further pressure on frontline staff.

Our focus remains on these frontline staff working with the general public on library enquiry desks. As a consequence we have generally ignored the more specialist, academic and expensive resources, though some of the classic reference works to be found in our larger libraries, which are often cited, are included: Joseph Wright's English dialect dictionary (1898–1905) and the Victoria county histories are two such examples.

In earlier editions we generally excluded subscription websites and CD-ROMs on the ground that most staff and members of the public would not have access to them, but now that most libraries subscribe to services such as Britannica, Infotrac, Credo, Ancestry and EBSCO, indeed often enabling library members to use them on their home computers, such exclusion no longer seems necessary. We have also continued to loosen the earlier tripartite division of resources into ‘Printed', ‘Electronic’ and ‘Organizations'. Such a division seems increasingly artificial and unsustainable. Some new headings have been introduced (e.g. Death, Funerals & Bereavement; Police & Security), some ditched (e.g. Textiles) and many modified (e.g. Books & Bibliographies; Tourism & Travel).

We would like to acknowledge the valuable information to be found in Reference Reviews (Emerald) and Refer: Journal of the ISG (Information Services Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). We also acknowledge the useful titles found on the shelves in many library reading rooms and bookshops, and suggestions from colleagues and members of the public.

Finally, we re-iterate the point that the titles, websites and organizations listed are just some of many; those we know about and have found useful. Maybe you know of others.