Standard Reference Sources

1. Standard Reference Sources Used to answer specific questions Not generally meant to be read from cover to cover May provide statistics, brief facts, etc. on a variety of topics, or in a specific subject area Library 100

2. Standard Reference Sources • Print reference sources are generally “library use only” • Many sources are now available on the Web ( by subscription) (Encyc. Britannica) • There are also “free” reference sources on the Web (beware of quality and date) Library 100

3. Standard Reference Sources • GENERAL AND SUBJECT ENCYCLOPEDIAS • Starting points for research • Provide factual overviews on a vast number of subjects • May be a single volume or multiple volumes Library 100

4. Standard Reference Sources GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS • World Book Encyclopedia (often seen in public libraries, glossy color pictures, lower reading level for youth) • Encyclopedia Americana • Encyclopedia Britannica • Fall in to AE section of call numbers in LC classification Library 100

5. Standard Reference Sources SUBJECT ENCYCLOPEDIAS • Contain more detailed information on a topic than found in a general encyclopedia • Includes topics not found in general encyclopedias • May actually have the word “dictionary” in the title Library 100

6. Standard Reference Sources SUBJECT ENCYCLOPEDIAS EXAMPLES • Dictionary of Art REF N31 D5 1996 • Encyclopedia of Psychology REF BF 31 E52 1994 • Encyclopedia the Environment GE10 .E53 1994 Library 100

7. Standard Reference Sources DICTIONARIES • Provide meanings of words or the etymology (origin) of words • May be general or subject specific • May have the word “dictionary,” or “encyclopedia” in the title Library 100

8. Standard Reference Sources GENERAL DICTIONARIES • Provide meanings of words in general usage • Located in PE call number range • May be abridged or unabridged Library 100

9. Standard Reference Sources GENERAL DICTIONARIES EXAMPLES • Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (unabridged) REF PE 1625 W36 • Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary REF PE 1628 M36 1994 Library 100

10. Standard Reference Sources ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARIES • Provide the origins of words plus instances when they were first used • Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology REF PE 1580 B35 1988 • Oxford English Dictionary REF PE 1625 O87 1989 Library 100

11. Standard Reference Sources LANGUAGE DICTIONARIES • Provide English translations of foreign words and phrases • Usually divided into 2 sections: native language and English Library 100

12. Standard Reference Sources SUBJECT SPECIFIC DICTIONARIES • Focus on a specific discipline or subject area • Are located within the specific LC call number for the subject area Library 100

13. Standard Reference Sources SUBJECT SPECIFIC DICTIONARIES EXAMPLES • Mc-Graw Hill Dictionary of GeologyREF QE5 M3654 1997 • Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms REF QA76.15 D667 2000 Library 100

14. Standard Reference Sources DIRECTORIES • Provide names, addresses, and other contact information of individuals, companies, organizations, or institutions Library 100

15. Standard Reference Sources DIRECTORIES • Encyclopedia of Associations REF HS 17 G334 1999 • College Blue Book REF L 901 C64 1999 • Hoover’s Handbook of American Business REF HG 4057 A28617 Library 100

16. Standard Reference Sources BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES AMERICAN & WORLDWIDE • Provide information on the lives and accomplishments of “famous” people • May have brief information (biographical dictionaries) or more detail (encyclopedia) • May provide contact information (for those who are alive) Library 100

17. Standard Reference Sources BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES AMERICAN & WORLDWIDE • American National Biography REF CT 213 A68 • Encyclopedia of World Biography REF CT 103 E56 Library 100

18. Standard Reference Sources BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES AMERICAN & WORLDWIDE • Current Biography Yearbook REF CT 100 C8 • Biography.com http://www.biography.com • Who’s Who in America REF E 176 W642 2000 Library 100

19. Standard Reference Sources BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES BY ETHNICITY/GENDER • Dictionary of Hispanic Biography REF CT 1343 D531 1996 • Notable Hispanic American Women E 184 S75 N68 1993 Library 100

20. Standard Reference Sources BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES BY ETHNICITY/GENDER • Native American Women a Biographical Dictionary E 98 W8 B38 1993 • Notable Black American Women E 185.96 N68 1992 Library 100

21. Standard Reference Sources BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES BY PROFESSION • Dictionary of Scientific Biography REF Q 141 D5 • Notable Black American Scientists Q 141 N726 1999 • Notable Women Scientists Q 141 N736 1999 Library 100

22. Standard Reference Sources STATISTICAL SOURCES • Provide statistical information or data various topics. May use charts and tables. May have little narrative. • Compiled from government and non-government sources Library 100

23. Standard Reference Sources STATISTICAL SOURCES • Statistical Abstract of the United States REF HA 202 or http://www.census.gov/statab/www/ • Statistical Abstract of the World HA154 .S68 • U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/ Library 100

24. Standard Reference Sources QUOTATION SOURCES • Provide quotations on specific themes, or by specific persons • Usually searchable by keyword or source Library 100

25. Standard Reference Sources QUOTATION SOURCES • Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations REF PN 6081 B27 1992 and http://www.bartleby.com/100/ (note that online version is the 1919 edition! ) • New Quotable WomanPN 6081 B27 1992 Library 100

26. Standard Reference Sources ATLASES • Main features: a collections of maps • May focus on geographical features, historical information or special themes • May be shelved on an atlas stand rather than in the book stacks • May contain useful text as well as maps. • Not limited to print formats Library 100

27. Standard Reference Sources WORLD ATLASES • Times Atlas of the World (the best) REF G 1021 B395 1999 • Goode's World Atlas REFG 1021 G6 1999 Library 100

28. Standard Reference Sources HISTORICAL ATLASES • Contain maps that focus on a particular time period, region of the world, an event, or subject • Times Atlas of World History REF G 1030 T54 1993 • Cultural Atlas of the Viking World DL 65 C85 1994 Library 100

29. Standard Reference Sources HISTORICAL ATLASES • Atlas of the Civil War REF G 1201 S5 A85 1994 • Historical Atlas of the American Revolution REF E208 B36 2000 • New Historical Atlas of Religion in AmericaREFG 1201 E4 N4 2001 Library 100

30. Standard Reference Sources SUBJECT ATLASES • Contain maps and information on specific places or topics • Atlas of Global Change REF GE 149 C4813 1998 • New Historical Atlas of Religion in America REF G1201 E4 N4 2001 Library 100

31. Standard Reference Sources CHRONOLOGICAL SOURCES • Descriptions of events arranged by date • May cover large time periods (hundreds or thousands of years) or shorter periods (decades) • SEE CHRONOLOGIES HANDOUT Library 100

32. Standard Reference Sources LITERARY CRITICISM/ LITERARY BIOGRAPHY • Provide general info and criticism on authors, their works and topics in literature • Often provide abridged articles taken from literary journals Library 100

33. Standard Reference Sources LITERARY BIOGRAPHY MAJOR SOURCES • Contemporary Authors (CA) online and print • Contemporary Authors New Revision (CANR) • Dictionary of Literary Biography (DLB) online and print • Scribner Writer Series (online) • Twayne Author Series (online) Library 100

34. Standard Reference Sources LITERARY CRITICISM MAJOR SOURCES • Contemporary Literary Criticism (CLC) Authors alive or who have died since 1960) • Twentieth Century Literary Criticism (TCLC) Authors who died 1900-1959 • Nineteenth Century Literary Criticism (NCLC) Authors who died 1800-1899) Library 100

35. Standard Reference Sources LITERARY CRITICISM MAJOR SOURCES • Critical Survey of Long Fiction • Critical Survey of Short Fiction • Poetry Criticism • Short Story Criticism Library 100

36. Standard Reference Sources PLOT SUMMARIES/ CHARACTERS Provide overviews of the work, lists and may analyze characters • Masterplots (summaries of 2010 works of world literature • Masterplots II Poetry Series Library 100