Reference

From WolfWikis

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. 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.

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:

• Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
• McGraw Hill Dictionary of Science and Technology

Good resources 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 and citations to more detailed resources.

Recommended if you need:

• an overview of a topic
• a research topic idea
• some initial books and articles to conduct your research