Reference & Background Sources

Works that cover a broad range of topics.

• Encyclopaedia Britannica Online This link opens in a new window

  The online version of Britannica's encyclopedia, plus thousands of unique online articles, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (10th ed.), the Britannica Book of the Year, and more. Updated daily.

• Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window

  The premiere etymological dictionary of the English language. How-to video guides.
  PRINT 20 vol. set: Reference Collection PE 1625. N53 1933.

Listed here are just a few of the myriad of reference sources that cover specific topics and disciplines.   These can be found in the catalog by searching the topic along with the terms "encyclopedia" or "handbook" or "dictionary".  Some volumes are in print, others may be accessed electronically, or both.  These are great places to get background information on a topic!

• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics  A ready-reference book of chemical and physical data. Updated annually.

• The A to Z of Japanese Traditional Theatre. Books / Upper Level ; PN2921.L45 2010

• Grove Encyclopedia of Northern Renaissance Art. Reference Collection (NON-CIRCULATING) / Main Level ; N6370 .G76 2009 

• International Handbook of Research in Statistics Education. Books / Upper Level ; QA276.18 .I57 2018

• Encyclopedia of Democracy. Reference Collection (NON-CIRCULATING) / Main Level ; JC423.E53 1995

• Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World. Reference Collection (NON-CIRCULATING) / Main Level ; DS35.53 .O96 2009

A list of digital reference source collections.  Each collection contains both general and subject specific titles.  Each links to a search page and each collection's titles are available within the library catalog.

• Credo Reference 

  Online collection of over 800 reference titles, providing useful definitions, background information, quotations, images, and biographical information.

• Gale Ebooks 

  Collection of reference ebooks from Gale covering general reference, biographical sources, and all major disciplines.

• Oxford Reference Online 

  In-depth, specialized titles from Oxford University Press’s award-winning Encyclopedias and Companions series, and a selection of partner publishers’ scholarly works.

• Sage E-Reference 

  Reference titles covering a wide variety of subjects, including the humanities and social sciences.

• Salem Press Reference Online 

  A collection of fully searchable reference ebooks from Salem Press relating to literature, American history and culture, science, and health. Helpful for topic generation and background information.