Reference - SPC 1608 - Stein (Dale Mabry) - LibGuides at Hillsborough Community College

Reference sources have background info

Reference resources, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, can provide background info to help you understand your topic. Reading encyclopedias can also give you search terms to use in the library catalog and databases.

Find physical reference books in the library, and online reference resources linked on this page.

How do I find reference resources?

In the library:

Reference books on a vast away of subjects are located in the Library's Reference room, 2nd floor of DLRC. Ask for help in finding what you need.

Online:

Using any of the eBook databases below, you can search your topics to find background information from one ore more reference resources:

Britannica Academic (Britannica)
Oxford Reference Online Premium (Oxford University Press) More than 100 dictionary, language reference, and subject reference from Oxford University Press. Click Subject to access volumes under each category. Click Reference Type to select subject reference, dictionaries, timelines, and more. Funding source: FLVC group license. Here is a tutorial.
Very Short Introductions Very Short Introductions (VSI) are hundreds of brief books published by Oxford University Press. eBook Through this database, you can access them as eBooks. VSIs offer. "a bridge between reference content and higher academic work. All titles provide intelligent and serious introductions...written by experts in the field who combine facts, analysis, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make challenging topics highly readable." Broad subjects areas include: Arts and Humanities, Science and Mathematics, Social Sciences, Law, Medicine and Health.
Search tips
1. Near the top of the screen, click Browse by subject for different categories and subjects.
2. Once you select one, there will be a list of eBooks for the subject.
3. When you open an eBook, you can read it in your browser and search for keywords within it to find the info you need.
Additional strategy
Try the search bar at the top of the screen to find both whole eBooks and individual chapters from eBooks that mention your keyword. You might find information on your topic from another subject eBook that you might not have thought of.
Salem Online (Salem Press) Online reference materials across a wide spectrum of subjects. Funding source: HCC Here is a tutorial.

All Reference databases (HCC ID required)

Reference Websites - selected by HCC librarians

Almanacs & Facts

Atlases & Maps

Calculators & Measures

Dictionaries

Directories

E-Journal Directories

Encyclopedias

Other Reference Sites

Primary Sources

Statistics & Demographics

May I cite reference sources?

Your instructor may allow certain reference sources to be cited, especially subject-specific ones - for example, an encyclopedia of art. However, best to ask before including it in your cited sources!

SPC 1608 - Stein (Dale Mabry): Reference