Reference Sources

Library 10 – Information Competency

In this presentation you will learn:

• About reference sources

• Why you would use reference sources

• Types of reference sources

• How to choose reference sources

• How to find reference sources

• How to cite a reference book

• How to enter information into NoodleTools for reference sources

What is a reference source?

A source that

• provides quick facts as well as broad information

• is written by experts in their field

Why use reference sources?

Circulating vs. Reference books

Circulating books are sources that you can borrow and take out of the library.

Reference books generally are sources used in the library and cannot be taken out.

Types of common reference sources:

• books of facts

• encyclopedias

• dictionaries

• atlases

• statistical sources

• chronological sources

• biographical sources

• quotation sources

• literary criticism

Books of facts

Encyclopedias

Dictionaries

Atlases

Statistical sources

Chronological sources

Biographical sources

Quotation sources

Literary criticism

Other reference sources

Choosing a reference source

1. Think about your question and what it is you want to know.

2. Match your information need with the type of reference source that would have this information.

Finding reference sources by title

Finding reference sources by keyword

Finding reference sources by browsing

Using a reference book

Clark, Barney B. [American patient] Artificial heart A: 760 Heart [The first heart transplants and artificial hearts] H: 145

Caring for reference books

How to cite a reference book

1. Is the information written for this book or was it originally published in another source?

• If it is written for this book, is there an author? If so, who is the author?

• If it was originally published in another source, what is the citation information?

2. What are the page numbers for the entry or article?

3. What is the citation information for the reference book?

Gathering the citation information

Entry/Title: Cavendish, ThomasAuthor: John FergusonBook Title: The Encyclopedia AmericanaEdition: InternationalYear Published: 1998

Entering information into NoodleTools

NoodleTools: Reference

Article/Entry Title: Cavendish, ThomasAuthor: John Ferguson

Reference SourceTitle: The Encyclopedia AmericanaEdition: International Publication Year: 1998

MLA citation example

Ferguson, John. “Cavendish, Thomas.” The

Encyclopedia Americana. Intl. ed. 1998.

Print.

Gathering the citation information 2

Viviana Rangil (essay date September 2000)

SOURCE: Rangil, Viviana. “Pro-Claiming a Space: The Poetry of Sandra Cisneros and Judith Ortiz Cover.” Multi-Cultural Review 9, no. 3 (September 2000): 48-55.

Article information:Author: Rangil, VivianaTitle: Pro-Claiming a Space: The Poetry of Sandra Cisneros and Judith Ortiz CoverSource: MultiCultural Review, Volume: 9, Issue: 3Year: 2000, Page numbers: 48-55

Book information:Title: Poetry CriticismVolume: 52Editor: David GalensPublisher: Gale, DetroitYear: 2004, Page numbers:150-156

NoodleTools: Citing literary criticism

NoodleTools: Citing literary criticism 2

NoodleTools: Citing literary criticism 3

NoodleTools: Journal article section

Article information:Author: Rangil, VivianaTitle: Pro-Claiming a Space: The Poetry of Sandra Cisneros and Judith Ortiz CoverSource: MultiCultural ReviewVolume: 9Issue: 3Year: 2000,Page numbers: 48-55

“Growth of the Family in The Grapes of Wrath.”

NoodleTools: Anthology/Collection section

Book information:Title: Poetry CriticismVolume: 52Editor: David GalensPublisher: Gale, DetroitYear: 2004, Page numbers:150-156

MLA citation example 2

Rangil, Viviana. "Pro-Claiming a Space: The Poetry

of Sandra Cisneros and Judith Ortiz

Cover." MultiCultural Review 9.3 (2000): 48-55.

Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. David Galens. Vol.

52. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 150-56. Print.

In-text citation example

(Rangil 153)

Rangil, Viviana. "Pro-Claiming a Space: The Poetry

of Sandra Cisneros and Judith Ortiz

Cover." MultiCultural Review 9.3 (2000): 48-55.

Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. David Galens. Vol.

52. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 150-56. Print.

Another in-text citation example 2

(“Megadork” 248)

“Megadork.” Hip & Hot! A Dictionary of 10,000

American Slang Expressions. Ed. Richard A.

Spears. New York: Gramercy, 1997. Print.

Homework assignment

In this presentation you learned:

• About reference sources

• Why you would use reference sources

• Types of reference sources

• How to choose reference sources

• How to find reference sources

• How to cite a reference book

• How to enter information into NoodleTools for reference sources