  We present an inventory of mid-infrared spectral features detected in high
resolution 2.4 to 45um ISO-SWS spectra of the galaxies M82, NGC253, Circinus,
NGC1068, and the 30Doradus region of the LMC. We discuss their identifications
and highlight possible relations between these features and the physical state
of the interstellar medium in galaxies. In the 5--13 um region, emission from
unidentified infrared bands (UIBs), usually ascribed to aromatic molecules, and
apparent silicate absorption dominate the spectrum. We demonstrate the danger
of overestimating the amount of silicate absorption by comparing the spectrum
of M82 to the (absorption free) spectrum of the reflection nebula NGC7023. No
strong silicate absorption is present in M82. The (very small grain) dust
continuum under the UIB emission in our starburst templates can be modeled by a
simple power law, starting at wavelengths between 8 and 9um. The spectra are
valuable templates for future mid-infrared missions. We smooth our data to
simulate low resolution spectra as obtained with ISOCAM-CVF, ISOPHOT-S, and in
the future with the low resolution mode of SIRTF-IRS, and use our high spectral
resolution information to highlight possible identification problems at low
resolving power that are caused by coincidences of lines and features.
