Types of Reference Books

Dictionaries and encyclopedias are some of the most common types of reference works, but there are many kinds. The following is a list of reference books, what they do, and an example for each:

Reference books can also be divided according to their content: FICTION and NONFICTION. Fictional references include imaginary writings while the other includes writings that convey facts.

· General Dictionaries and Thesauri - give word meanings, spellings, and histories (dictionaries) or synonyms and related words (thesaurus).
Example: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (REF PE 1628.M36 1993).

· Encyclopedias - contain articles on subjects in various fields, usually including helpful bibliographies. They can be either general or specialized.
General example: Encyclopedia Americana (Index area: REF AE5.E333 2001). Specialized example: Encyclopedia of Drugs and Alcohol (REF HV5804.E53 1995).

Encyclopedias, General

Contain an alphabetically organized listing of a broad range of subjects with basic information for each entry. General encyclopedias provide a good basis for the beginning stages of research. They are also helpful resources for ready reference questions.
Example -- World Book Encyclopedia

Encyclopedias, Subject

Contain the same type of information and organized like a general encyclopedia. The entries are limited to those that fall within the subject encyclopedia's scope of the coverage.
Example -- The Grolier Encyclopedia of Science and Technology

· Indexes - tell where information can be found in other sources.
Example: Granger's Index to Poetry (REF PN4321.G88 1970-77).

· Yearbooks - (often called annuals) chronicle the events of a certain year, usually in a particular field.
Example: The Statesman’s Year-Book (Reference desk: REF JA 51.S7 1996-97).

· Handbooks and Manuals - are often "how to" books, containing instructions and miscellaneous items of information on one subject.
Example: American Electricians’ Handbook (REF TK151.C8 1992).

· Almanacs - are collections of facts, charts and statistics.
Example: World Almanac and Book of Facts (Reference Desk: REF AY67.W927).

· Biographical Dictionaries - provide short sketches about the lives of important people. Example: Who's Who in America (REF E176.W642).

· Directories - list names and addresses of persons, organizations, businesses.
Example: The College Blue Book (REF LA226.C685).

· Atlases or Gazetteers - are visual representations (atlases) or geographical dictionaries (gazetteers) that provide information about places.
Example: Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer of the World (REF G103.L7).

· Bibliographies - provide lists of materials about a particular subject.
Example: International Terrorism: An Annotated Bibliography and Research Guide (REF Z7164.T3 N67).

· Statistical Sources—give data or numbers that have been compiled to quantify and compare the characteristics of people, places or things
Example: Statistical Abstract of the United States (Reference desk: REF HA202)