Reference Sources

There are many reference books that can help you while you come up with your research question. Reference books are kept in a special section of the library called the Reference Collection (not to be confused with the Reserve/Textbooks). If a book is shelved in the Reference Collection of the COA Library, then the location within the library catalog will say "Reference Collection". Books in the Reference Collection do not check out and must be used in the library. Below, are examples of different types of reference books found in the Reference Collection:

 

• Almanac

a compilation of statistics and facts on a variety of subjects, usually in one volume (ex. World Almanac, Guinness Book of World Records)

• Atlas

a book of maps and geographical information

• Biographical Source

a work that provides information about a person’s life (education, accomplishments, awards, career, etc.)

• Directory

provides names and addresses of individuals, companies, organizations, etc. (ex. phone book)

• Encyclopedia

a work meant to provide comprehensive summaries of subjects within all fields of knowledge (general enyclopedias) OR subjects within specific branches of knowledge (subject encyclopedias).

• Dictionary

a work containing alphabetical lists, with information given for each term including definitions. There are general dictionaries  (ex. Webster's Dictionary) and subject specific dictionaries  (ex. Medical Dictionary)

• Handbook

concise-- but usually comprehensive -- explanatory information on a specific subject or area of study

• Yearbook

a summary of the events and trends of a given year