These are some web directories (collections of links in a variety of subjects) that might be helpful.
These pages aren't search engines and while they can be helpful,
they do not replace or stand in for a search engine.
Michigan eLibrary
This is a vast collection of links in several subjects. There are some descriptions of the pages linked to but the descriptions are brief. It is a very menu oriented system.
It seems to have changed a bit but it remains easy to use.
Internet resources from the Milwaukee public library
Some of the descriptions of the pages linked to are very detailed while others are brief. In some ways, I think the Michigan Electronic library is slightly better, with more links and more categories of links for some subjects. There is an option to search the links. Some of the resources can�t be accessed without a Milwaukee public library card.
Chicago Public Library's Intnernet Resources
This is a good page. It does specialize to a degree in information about Chicago and Illinos. The scientist biography page, for one example, might be helpful. The consumer page has good resources. For the most part the descriptions of the pages linked to are brief.
the Internet Public library
It has a fairly good collection of links. The literature section is very good and it is the best place to look for literary criticism online that I've seen. The descriptions of the pages linked to are generally really good. I like the way the pages are organized with subheadings. There also links to online magazines and associations for some subjects. There also pathfinders on some subjects and these pathfinders include some print resources.