Using Reference Information

Using Reference Sources is often a good way to begin your research. Reference sources such as Almanacs, Atlases, Dictionaries, and Statistical Compendia provide you with brief factual information while Encyclopedias, Handbooks and other sources often offer more in depth surveys of a particular topic. Examples of some of the Reference Sources in the Reference Section of the Library include:

• The World almanac and book of facts.
  REF AY67.N5 W7 (Quick Facts)
• The Macmillan world atlas.
  REF G1021 .M2382 1996 (Maps and Data)
• The Facts on File dictionary of physics
  REF QC5 .F34 1988 (Definitions)
• Statistical Abstract of the United States
  REF HA202.A39 1998 (Statistics)
• Encyclopedia Britannica
  REF AE5.E363 Vol. 1 - 29 (General Encyclopedia)
• Encyclopedia of American Religions
  REF BL2525.M449 1996 (Subject Encyclopedia)
• Handbook of North American Indians
  REF E77 .H25 Vol. 4 -15 (Brief topical surveys)

You can locate Reference Sources by searching our Online Catalog, selecting a resource from our Online Reference Collection or by asking a Reference Librarian. When using the catalog it is often a good idea to first find Call Numbers for your subject area and then browse those areas of the Reference Section.