Directories which provide phone numbers and addresses nationwide are also available in CD-ROM format. This is often true of large metropolitan areas where yellow pages may cover a wider area. Also, businesses pay to be included in the classified sections, and many larger firms will put ads in yellow pages of many cities even though they are not located there. Be sure to check the index to the yellow pages if you don't know the heading used for the type of business you need. Departments or bureaus are then listed under the parent agency - the Weather Bureau is under the Commerce Department, for example.
Many directories now have a separate section where government numbers are listed.
This may be at the beginning of the white or the yellow pages, and is sometimes a different color. Mr.' is listed as if it were 'Mister', but the Fresno directory might also list a Mrs. Beauty Salon after Mrkaich. It's worth checking under several spellings of a name, and directories often list suggested alternate spellings. A variety of directories are available on the Internet. In California, Pacific Bell now often includes extensive information about the community including local ZIP Codes, attractions and lists of shopping centers.