Public, school, and academic libraries all have a reference book section with materials designed to provide you with quick answers to your research questions. Your high school or college library may have more titles that you can use because you are an enrolled student.

Although many of the titles are only found in print, some titles are available online. A short list of online titles available to the general public can be found at www.transitioning2college.org/FreeOnlineReferenceTools

Reference books generally do not leave the library, which means that they are always available to you when you need them. Although you might not think of going to a reference book for help in college, I encourage you to read on to find out more about these hidden treasures.

Subject Encyclopedias

Subject Encyclopedias
If you think encyclopedias are something you use only in grade school, you might be surprised to learn that academic libraries have large collections of encyclopedias that are written for undergraduate and graduate students. These books are generally held in the reference area of a library.

Subject encyclopedias are written to provide background information in many different subject disciplines. Here is just a sample of titles that you might find in an academic library:

Bulls, Bears, Boom, and Bust: A Historical Encyclopedia of American Business Concepts

Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media

Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies

Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology

As you can see, these encyclopedias focus on very specific topics. Some encyclopedias have one volume, whereas other encyclopedias have many volumes. Some encyclopedias provide you with brief information (one or two paragraphs) on a topic; others may include three- or four-page articles on a topic.

When are subject encyclopedias helpful?

• When you are trying to choose a paper topic. The entries in an encyclopedia can give you great ideas that you might not think of on your own.

• When you need an overview of a topic to provide a context for a paper that you are writing. Subject encyclopedias are excellent sources for background material.

• When you need to know where to go for additional information. Many encyclopedia articles have references at the end of each article that you can use to enhance your research.

• When you are looking for diagrams or a timeline of events. Many encyclopedias provide you with a chronology of events that can help put a topic in perspective or visual materials that can help you understand a concept. Be sure to check out the supplemental materials at the back of encyclopedias.

• When you want to better understand an idea or concept that has been covered in one of your courses.
  

Specialized Dictionaries
In addition to encyclopedias, library reference collections have specialized dictionaries that explain the vocabulary used in a certain subject area (psychology, chemistry, law, biology, etc.). If you are looking for definitions of terms used frequently in your courses, check out this type of dictionary rather than going to a general all-purpose dictionary.

Here is just a sample of dictionary titles that you might find in an academic library:

APA Dictionary of Psychology

Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance

Dictionary of Information Science and Technology

The Routledge Dictionary of Literary Terms

Almanacs
Almanacs are another type of reference book, and they are usually updated and published annually. Almanacs provide facts, lists, tables, and sometimes even short articles about a specific subject area.

Here is just a sample of almanac titles that you might find in an academic library:

Almanac of Architecture and Design, 2006

The Almanac of American Education, 2006

Commodity Trader’s Almanac

Plunkett’s Apparel and Textiles Industry Almanac 2006: The Only Comprehensive Guide to Apparel

If you aren’t sure how to find encyclopedias, dictionaries, or almanacs in your college library, ask a librarian for help. In addition to reference books, librarians are also hidden treasures!