How to Find Reference eBooks

Begin your research project by gathering background and biographical information reference books like subject dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Click on the Find Books & Videos tab and select "Search Reference eBooks" to see a list of the library's reference book databases.

Background Information

Start by searching in the CREDO Reference database. This database will provide you with encyclopedia and dictionary entries that will provide basic information about a topic. From the CREDO database, you can also link to more in-depth articles and books in other library resources.

Use the general information you find in the reference book entries to help you narrow or broaden the focus of your search or to identify related information that might fit with your topic. You can also identify terms and phrases that you will need to use as search words (keywords) as you do more in-depth research. As you investigate, look for information that will help put your topic into context. Specific locations, dates, names, or facts may also help you focus the subject of your topic.

Biographical Information

Start by searching the Biography in Context database. Biography in Context houses hundreds of reference books and thousands of magazine and journal articles from a variety of publications.

If you are looking for author biographies or literary criticism, use the Literary Reference Center database. This databases houses academic reference books like Contemporary Literature, The Oxford Illustrated History of English Literature, and Beacham's Research Guide to Biography and Criticism.

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