Ron, I've suggested this before but there is a really great book for newbies called "Black and Decker's Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement" or the like, I'm too lazy to look for the book right now. But it's a big blue hardcover. Indispensible if you don't know what you're doing (not that I know what that's like....).
And the library is a great place to go, they've got everything. Books are easier to carry around than a desktop computer while you're working and they've all got neat pictures.