Free Public Knowledge Library

A collection of research reports and educational resources to help citizens understand the systems that shape communities, housing, and modern marketplaces.

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What's Included in the Library

Homeowner Protection Report

A comprehensive guide to protecting yourself when hiring contractors. Learn the warning signs of unreliable service providers, how to verify credentials, and what questions to ask before signing any agreement.

  • • 45 pages
  • • Updated January 2026

Contractor Marketplace Transparency Report

An investigative look at how contractor lead marketplaces and referral platforms operate—and how their business models affect the prices homeowners pay.

  • • 38 pages
  • • Includes pricing analysis

Professional Standards Guide

Understanding contractor credentials, licensing requirements, insurance verification, and professional certifications. Know what credentials actually mean—and what they don't.

  • • 32 pages
  • • State-by-state reference

Our Commitment to Public Knowledge

All research published by The Public Lyceum is freely available to the public. We believe that an informed citizenry is essential to healthy communities and functioning markets.

Our reports provide frameworks for understanding complex systems—helping citizens, journalists, policymakers, and community leaders make better decisions.

Explore the Knowledge Index