Annual Reports
If the local company that you are researching is publicly traded, it must issue annual reports. Annual Reports explain where you can find such reports in paper, microfilm, or online.
Local and State Business Directories
Business Directories
-
Dun's Regional Business Directory
-
Harris InfoSource directories:
-
California Manufacturers Register
-
Directory of California Wholesalers & Service Companies
-
Directory of California Technology Companies
-
Northern California Business Directory & Buyer's Guide
-
-
Northern California High Technology Directory
Regional Trade & Industry Directories
-
California Agricultural Directory
-
Consultants and Consulting Organizations Directory
-
Directory of California Technology Companies
-
O'Dwyers Directory of Public Relations Firms
You will also find relevant sources in the Industry and Trade Collection.
Books of Lists
This annual issue lists top ranking local companies by industry or service. Ask for these lists at the Business, Science & Technology information desk.
Local Newspapers
Many of these newspapers are also indexed with full text of the articles in the library's online databases.
Company & Industry Directory Databases
-
Reference Solutions
-
Mergent Online
-
Business and Company Resource Center (Gale)
Government Databases
-
San Francisco Office of Small Business (San Francisco's central point of information for small businesses)
Company Web Sites
A company's home page is an excellent source of information about its history, current projects, products, services and officers.
Researching Older Local Companies
San Francisco History Center files on local businesses – 6th Floor, Main Library
Local newspapers – 5th Floor, Main Library Magazine and Newspapers Center. Many of these newspapers are also indexed with full text of the articles in the library's online databases.
San Francisco City Directories and Phone books are also valuable resources. By scanning these directories year by year it is often easy to pinpoint when a company operated in a given location.
Business directories for public companies - You may be able to find basic information about older companies. See the 'Researching old stocks' section of our Stock Research page.
Business directories for private companies