Controversial topics

A reference book is one you consult when you need factual, authoritative information on a subject. They are a good place to start if you're just beginning your research because they give you foundational information about a topic.

Reference book examples include:

• dictionaries
• encyclopedias
• almanacs or "fact books"
• directories

Things to know about Reference books:

• they may be physical or digital items
  • here are two examples of digital reference sets
• they have lots of info!
  • in the physical book, look for the Table of Contents or the Index to find the page you need for your subject
• they're often in a separate section of the library
  • look for the "Reference" section or the "Ready Reference" section near where the librarians sit.