Reference
From WolfWikis
Encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, data tables, and directories are all examples of reference books. You may not realize that these kinds of books exist for all kinds of highly specific subject areas.
In general, reference materials have been identified by librarians and researchers as resources of particularly high research value. They are typically shelved separately from the general collection, in prominent places in the library, so they will be easy to find or discover, and browse. To make them available to all library users, they cannot be checked out. Most are not meant for sustained reading anyway, but rather read for quick reviews of a topic or to obtain specific data. Many (but not all) are available online.
Check the catalog to find them or Ask A Librarian if you need help finding them.
Locations
DH Hill Library: reference materials are shelved in the Learning Commons, 1st floor, east wing.
Branch libraries: in specially marked areas on the main level.
What kind of material is in a reference section?
Reference books: encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, and the like. You've seen them. However, Academic Libraries usually have many specialized reference resources on specific topics. Such as:
Good sources are written at an appropriate level for university and professional research. They often assume a basic understanding of the topic while providing a useful overview of the important issues. They also provide a bibliography so you can find more detailed resources.
Recommended if you need:
- an idea for a research topic
- an overview of a topic
- a list of some initial books and articles to get started on your research