A reference work is a document, such as a paper, book, encyclopedia or periodical (or their electronic equivalents, usually available online), to which one can refer for information. The information is intended to be found quickly when needed. Such works are usually referred to for particular pieces of information, rather than being read in its entirety. The writing style used in these works is informative, with the authors avoiding opinions and the use of the first-person perspective, and emphasizing facts.
Indices are a common navigation feature in many types of reference works. Many reference works are put together by a team of contributors whose work is coordinated by one or more editors, rather than by an individual author. Updated editions are usually published as needed, in some cases annually, such as Whitaker's Almanack, and Who's Who.
Reference works include textbooks, almanacs, atlases, bibliographies, biographical sources, catalogs such as library catalogs and art catalogs, concordances, dictionaries, directories such as business directories and telephone directories, discographies, encyclopedias, filmographies, gazetteers, glossaries, handbooks, indices such as bibliographic indices and citation indices, manuals, research guides, thesauruses, and yearbooks. While traditionally printed, reference works are often available in electronic formats, including reference software, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and online access via the Internet. Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, is both the largest and the most-read reference work in history.
Library reference book In many public and academic libraries, reference books are not available for borrowing. Reference books may be consulted frequently, such as dictionaries or atlases, or very rarely, like a highly specialized concordance. Because some reference books are in constant demand while others are used so infrequently that replacement would be difficult, they may be kept on-site and made available for photocopying or digital scanning instead of checkout.
Types of reference works The main types and categories of reference works include:
Abstracting journal – a published summary of articles, theses, reviews, conference proceedings etc. arranged systematically Almanac – an annual publication, listing a set of current, general or specific information about one or multiple subjects Annals – concise historical record in which events are arranged chronologically Atlas – a collection of maps traditionally been bound into book form Bibliography – a systematic list of books and other works such as journal articles on a given subject or which satisfy particular criteria Biographical dictionary – an encyclopedic dictionary limited to biographical information Books of Quotations – collections of quotations satisfying particular criteria, arranged systematically Calendar – a record or a schematic set-up of the days and dates in the months of a specific year Chronicle/Chronology – a historical account of events arranged in chronological order Compendium – a concise collection of information pertaining to a body of knowledge Concordance – an alphabetical list of the principal words used in a book or body of work Dictionary – a list of words from one or more languages, systematically arranged and giving meanings, etymologies etc. Digest – a summary of information on a particular subject Directory – a systematically arranged list of names, addresses, products, etc. Business directory Telephone directory Web directory Encyclopaedia/Encyclopedia – a compendium providing summaries of knowledge either from all branches or from a particular field or discipline Gazetteer – a geographical dictionary or directory used to provide systematic access to a map or atlas Glossary – an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms Handbook – a small or portable book intended to provide ready reference Index – a publication giving systematic access to a body of knowledge Lexicon – a synonym for a dictionary or encyclopaedic dictionary List – a published enumeration of a set of items Manual – a handbook providing instructions in the use of a particular product Phrase book – a collection of ready-made phrases, arranged systematically, usually for a foreign language together with a translation Ready reckoner – a printed book or table containing pre-calculated values Thematic catalogue – an index used to identify musical compositions through the citation of the opening notes Textbook – a reference work containing information about a subject Thesaurus – a reference work for finding synonyms and sometimes antonyms of words Timetable – a published list of schedules giving times for transportation or other events Yearbook – a compendium containing events relating to a specific year
Almanac
Annals
Atlas
Bibliography
Biographical dictionary
Calendar
Chronicle
Compendium
Concordance
Dictionary
Directories Business directory
Telephone directory
Web directory
Encyclopedia
Gazetteer
Glossary
Handbook
Index
Lexicon
List
Phrase book
Ready reckoner
Textbook
Thesaurus
Timetable
User guide
Yearbook
Other
Books of quotations Catalogues of classical compositions
Electronic resources An electronic resource is a computer program or data that is stored electronically, which is usually found on a computer, including information that is available on the Internet. Libraries offer numerous types of electronic resources including electronic texts such as electronic books and electronic journals, bibliographic databases, institutional repositories, websites, and software applications.
References
Bibliography General
Guides to reference works
First published in 1954. American emphasis
Originally compiled by Alice B. Kroeger for first two editions beginning in 1902. Subsequently, edited by Isadore Gilbert Mudge (3rd through 6th editions) and Constance Mabel Winchell (7th and 8th editions). Published annually beginning in 1970. See also selective cumulations e.g. 3 vols. British emphasis
(an abridgement of Walford's Guide)
External links