Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Reference Works
Reference works such as dictionaries and encyclopedias provide background information. These resources are useful when you:
- Want to quickly learn about a topic.
- Are having trouble selecting a topic for an assignment.
- Don’t know what search terms to use.
- Need to find facts and figures.
Virtual Reference
Dictionaries
The following is a sample from our reference collection.
eBooks
A–Z of Modern America by
ISBN: 9780203016008Publication Date:An A–Z of Modern America is a comprehensive cultural dictionary that defines contemporary America through its history and civilization.
Print Books
American Authors, – by
Call Number: Ref. 928 K96amISBN: 0824200012Publication Date:Concise biographies of almost 1,300 authors of major and minor significance in American history.
Black’s Law Dictionary by
Call Number: 340.03 B567b6ISBN: 0314771654Publication Date:First published in , Black’s is now in a 6th edition that reflects changes in tax, finance, commerce, health care, environmental, and criminal law. Terms are listed alphabetically with cross-references, and entries give basic legal definitions, word usages, citations, and pronunciation. Entries range in length from one sentence to multiple pages with subdivisions.
Encyclopedias
eBooks
Historical Encyclopedia of American Business by
ISBN: 9781587655272Publication Date:A thorough reference set on one of the most important of topics, Historical Encyclopedia of American Business examines almost every facet of American business history that might be of interest to students.
Print Books
The Encyclopedia of American Facts and Dates by
Call Number: 973.0202 C237e10ISBN: 9780062701923Publication Date:In one convenient, user-friendly volume, The Encyclopedia of American Facts and Dates explores more than 1,000 years of American history and popular culture. Covering from the 10th century through the 20th, readers will discover all the details, dates and events from the first Norse explorers in through the end of .
Encyclopedia of American History by
Call Number: Ref. 973.03 M8338e5ISBN: 9780060130817Publication Date:Unequaled in the amount of information contained within a single volume, and designed to be read as a narrative, the Encyclopedia chronicles all the essential facts of American history, from government and politics to science, thought and culture.
Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups by
Call Number: Ref. 973.04 H261ISBN: 9780674375123Publication Date:From Acadians to Zoroastrians-Asians, American Indians, East Indians, West Indians, Europeans, Latin Americans, Afro-Americans, and Mexican Americans&the Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups provides the first comprehensive and systematic review of the many peoples of this country.
Reference Databases
These research databases contain full-text reference works.
Their content includes encyclopedias and specialized dictionaries but may also include journal articles and other sources.
General Reference
- Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
For students and adults alike, the Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia database indexes over 25,000 records, covering an array of topics.
- Oxford English Dictionary Online
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words—past and present—from across the English-speaking world.
Legal & Business Information
- Legal Information Reference Center
In addition to 225 full-text journals, this database features full-text legal reference books from the organization Nolo.
- Small Business Reference Center
This databases contains over 450 reference books related to business.
English & Literature
- Gale Literature Resource Center
In addition to full-text short stories, plays, poems, and articles on literature, the Gale Literature Resource Center offers access to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature.
- Poetry & Short Story Reference Center
In addition to full-text stories and poems as well as critical essays, this database contains articles from reference works on poetry and literature.
Health & Psychology
- Consumer Health Reference eBook Collection
This ebook reference collection offers a rich selection of eBook titles covering a broad range of general health topics including cancer and diabetes; weight management and exercise; allergies; senior care; social–emotional health; developmental disorders; and natural health.
- Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print
Produced by the Buros Center for Testing at the University of Nebraska, the Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY) provides users with a comprehensive guide to thousands of contemporary testing instruments.
Home & Craft
- Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center
Intended for public libraries, this database dedicated to home improvement and repair includes full-text reference works.
- Home Improvement Reference Center
Intended for public libraries, this database dedicated to home improvement and repair includes full-text reference works.
Schools & Public Libraries
- MAS Complete
Although designed for high schools, MAS Complete includes the contents of 440 full-text reference books that may be useful for beginning research or quick overviews of subjects.
- MAS Reference eBook Collection
This eBook reference collection offers a rich selection of eBook titles covering a broad range of general reference subjects for high-school students.
- MasterFILE Complete
Designed for public libraries, MasterFILE Premier includes the full text of 500 reference books that may be useful for general information or beginning research.
- MasterFILE Reference eBook Collection
This eBook reference collection offers a rich selection of eBook titles covering a broad range of general reference subjects.
- Middle Search Reference eBook Collection
This eBook reference collection offers a rich selection of eBook titles covering a broad range of general reference subjects for middle-school students. Topics include social studies, math, history, language arts, technology, geography, culture, and science.
- Primary Search Reference eBook Collection
This eBook reference collection offers a rich selection of eBook titles covering a broad range of general reference subjects for primary-school students. Topics include social studies, history, language arts, geography, culture, math, and science.