Characteristics of Reference Sources

 Non-Circulating: Reference books cannot be checked out of the library

Quick Facts: Reference books are not read straight through, like novels; you usually simply “refer” to them when you need quick, basic information

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Overview: Reference books provide a quick introduction to your topic, a brief overview; these overviews are especially helpful when you begin researching a topic you don’t know much about

Bibliographies, Cross References & See-also References: Because discussions on topics in Reference Books are not in-depth, entries include suggestions to review related articles within the book itself (cross and see-also references) and citations to other related, in-depth sources (bibliographies)

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Specific Arrangement: Reference books are organized in very specific ways, depending on the type of book. For example, chronologies are arranged by date, dictionaries are arranged in alphabetical order by word and encyclopedias are arranged in alphabetical order by subject.

Example and Explanations of Reference Sources:

Almanac	usually a one-volume work with statistics and a compilation of specific facts
Atlas	a book of maps and geographical information
Bibliography	a compilation of sources of information, provides  literature on a specific subject or by a specific author →LIS Cafe-Home
Biographical Dictionary	sources of information about the lives of people; short entries
Chronology	lists the events described in order of the date on which they occurred
Concordance	an alphabetical listing of keywords or phrases found the in work of an author or work in a collection of writings
Dictionary	defines words and terms; confirms spelling, definition, and pronunciation; used to find out how words are used; helps to locate synonyms and antonyms and to trace the origin of words →LIS Cafe-Home
Directory	lists names and addresses of individuals, companies, organizations, and institutions
Encyclopedia	covers knowledge or branches of knowledge in a comprehensive, but summary fashion; useful for providing facts and giving a broad survey of a topic; written by specialists
Gazetteer	a dictionary of geographical places →LIS Cafe-Home
Guidebook	provides detailed descriptions of places; intended primarily for the traveler; geographical facts plus maps
Handbook	treats one broad subject in brief, or gives a brief survey of a subject
Index	lists citations to periodical articles, book, and proceedings, and tells where they can be found →LIS Cafe-Home
Manual	a specific work that tells how to do something, such as how something operates; descriptions of the inner workings of an organization
Yearbook	covers the trends and events of the previous year; may be general in coverage, limited to one subject, or restricted to one geographical area
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