Once you decide on a topic you will probably need to locate background information such as important terms and concepts, relevant names of people or places, and dates of specific events. You can find this information in reference books, such as encyclopedias and almanacs. Reference books are arranged so that information is easy and quick to find. Entries in reference books can also help you identify a narrower, more focused aspect of your topic about which to write.
Start here: www.lib.utexas.edu > Databases and Indexes to Articles
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Search over 100 reference sources (encyclopedias, almanacs, etc.) at once. Full-text.
Oxford Reference Online
Search subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, and reference works in more than 20 subject areas. Full-text.
CQ Researcher
Find a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology. Search for topics or browse current and past issues.
NetLibrary Reference Center
Find full-text encyclopedias and other reference sources that can be searched by keyword.
Reference Universe
Search the indexes of many specialized encyclopedias and other sources of background information. When you find a useful encyclopedia, search the Library Catalog for the title of the encyclopedia to find out if the Libraries own the book and where it is located.
Start here: www.lib.utexas.edu > Research Tools > Library Catalog
Step 1: Use the Library Catalog to Find Reference Books
A. To find books in the PCL Reference collection, located in the rooms to your right when you enter the building, search the Library Catalog as follows:
Go to Advanced Search and enter keywords that describe your topic. Under Location, choose “PCL Reference” from the menu to limit your search to the books in the PCL Reference Collection
B. To find reference books in other libraries, type in your keywords and the word “encyclopedias.”
C. Once you find a good book, follow Subject Headings to find other reference books on the topic.
TIP! If you can't find a reference book specifically on your topic, try searching a broader term. For example, there isn't an entire reference book about Jell-O, so I'll search with the term food and look for entries about Jell-O within these books.
Step 2: Find the Book on the Shelf
When you find a book that looks useful, write down its call number to find it on the shelves.
It is important to know that many books on your topic will be in the same area of the shelves. Often, the best way to find the right source is to get the call number of a related book and go to that section to look around.
Step 3: Find Your Topic in the Reference Book
When you see books that seem potentially useful, look at the table of contents to determine the type of information included in the book. Also, go to the index at the back of the book and search for your keywords. This step is important because your topic could be included under an unexpected category. For example, “Jell-O” may be included under the “Kraft” entry, its owning company.
A librarian can also help you locate these resources – just Ask a Librarian.
