Quick reference tools

Printed quick reference tools

Printed quick reference tools, such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, data books, directories, handbooks and yearbooks, are available in all of the branches libraries.

• To locate print reference works held in the Library it is best to use the Library Catalogue (also available on the Quick search > Books, etc option of the Library home page). See How to locate a particular book or How to find books on a subject for advice on this.
  
• They may be shelved in a separate sequence, sometimes called Reference or Ref., from the normal books, and are usually confined to the Library.
  

If you have difficulties finding relevant reference sources please ask Library staff for help. Details of quick reference tools for particular subjects are available in the subject resources and support option.

Online quick reference tools

Increasingly, online databases and Internet sites are becoming useful reference sources, but you must be careful in evaluating the quality of the information you find on the Internet in particular. For instance, Wikipedia should not be used as an authoritative source for academic work, though it can sometimes be useful in giving links to resources that can be.

The Quick search > Articles & databases option of the Library home page can help you find useful quick reference sources, by looking up a relevant subject category on MetaLib, or by using the 'Material type - quick reference' or 'Material type - Dictionaries and encyclopedias' categories, both of which include the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Online and language dictionaries.