Reference Sources
How do I find reference sources (dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.)?
Reference sources are authoritative works that you can refer to for specific answers or information. There are many types of reference sources, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauri, directories, almanacs, and handbooks. But in broader terms, reference works can also include materials such as bibliographies, atlases, gazetteers, style manuals, or statistical sources.
The Library has reference materials both online and in print. Print reference collections are available near the reference desk at each campus library. In Regenstein Library, additional subject-specific reference collections are located on the upper floors. Most reference books cannot be checked out of the Library. However, any reference books shelved in the bookstacks are available to be taken out, unless labeled "Building Use Only."
Reference Databases
These databases allow you to search several reference sources at once.
Or, find selected online reference sources by type.
Finding Reference books At the Library
The guides below can help you locate reference sources in our collections.
Guides to Reference Sources
The following sources can be very helpful in identifying the best reference sources for your needs.
- Guide to Reference
Produced by the American Library Association, this is the online version of Robert Balay's Guide to Reference Books. This is a key resource for identifying reference materials by type of source and topic, and includes references to over 16,000 trusted reference books and databases.
- Reference Universe
Use Reference Universe to search the contents of over 4,500 print reference sources. Reference. There are direct links to the Library Catalog records for all of the titles that Library owns (which will provide you with the call number and location of the item).
- Biography and Genealogy Master Index
If you are looking for a biography of a person, Biography and Genealogy Master Index is a great place to begin. Just conduct a search on the person you are looking for information on, and the he database will provide you with a list of reference sources which include entries about the person. These include common ready-reference sources, such as Who's Who, as well as important retrospective works that cover individuals, both living and deceased, from every field of activity and from all areas of the world.
- New Walford guide to reference resources. London : Facet Publishing, 2005-
This reference book is a good source for identifying British reference sources.
Additional Assistance
If you are having trouble locating reference sources, please feel free to ask a librarian for assistance. We can help you locate the best sources for your research needs.
