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HIST 105 - US History to 1877 - Dr. Paul Grady: Finding Reference Books

This guide provides a basic introduction to reference sources and how to find them using the library's online catalog. It also covers databases that provide information on topics pertaining to history.

What is a Reference Book and Why Should I Use Them?

What is a reference book?

A reference book is a source that provides facts &/or finite pieces of information; this can be general (Encyclopedia Britannica) or more subject focused (Encyclopedia of Women and Baseball). They are sources designed not to be read cover to cover but to be used to get key facts about a topic (think dictionary or almanac). These materials don’t circulate (they have to be used in the Library) so that everyone can use the material. Reference books are a great place to start your research, find general history/background information as well as important people, dates &/or terms related to your topic.

Reference books are usually organized alphabetically (think encyclopedia or dictionary) but using the Index (the back section of a book or group of books that alphabetically lists the headings including people, places and subjects with corresponding page numbers) can be a quick way to find the information you need.

In our library reference books are located in the first eleven moving shelves and are marked with “reference collection” marked on a red sign on the end of the shelves. They are marked USC Upstate Reference in the catalog and have REF on the top of the spine label.

Reference books give you:

  • A quick introduction to your subject by covering a lot of points briefly
  • In-depth background on some of the major people &/or key elements of your topic
  • Vocabulary to use for searches in other resources 
  • Ideas for additional resources (check the reference list)

Types of Reference Books

Almanac (e.g. the World Almanac, the Farmers Almanac) – A source of basic facts and statistical information, often reporting on a range of years.

Atlas (e.g. Rand McNally Illustrated Atlas of the World) – General atlases are collections of maps, providing geographical information of the world or specific areas.

Biographical Dictionary – Short summaries of the lives of people.

Dictionary (e.g. Oxford English Dictionary) – A tool providing brief definitions of terms.

Directory (e.g. Spartanburg City Directory) - Gives contact information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers

Encyclopedia – General encyclopedias cover knowledge or branches of knowledge in a comprehensive, but summary, fashion; useful for providing facts and giving a broad survey of a topic.

Each of the types of works listed above may provide general information, or they may focus on a more specific body of knowledge.  Some examples of this are:

World Book Encyclopedia (general) vs. Encyclopedia of Education (specific)
World Atlas (general) vs. Atlas of the American Revolution (specific)
American National Biography (general) vs. American Indian Biographies (specific)

How to Read an LC Call Number

The following PDF document explains in more detail how to read a Library of Congress call number.

Search Strategies and Locations for Books

Search Locations and Services  (links located at the bottom of the box)

  • Books may be found in our library (use the Search catalog), in statewide academic libraries (via the PASCAL Delivers service), nationally, or internationally using different search techniques
  • PASCAL Delivers - When a book is unavailable in the USC Upstate library, you may be able to request it for free from another library in the state via the PASCAL Delivers service.  A "Request" link in the catalog record under "Get It" will take you through the steps of requesting the materials.  Books are delivered to the USC Upstate Library (allow up to 5 days for delivery).
  • WorldCat - Use this resource to locate books throughout the US and the world, which can be requested through ILL
  • Interlibrary loan - Once registered, you can request materials held throughout the US or world
    Allow two weeks or so for delivery of ILL items.
  • Many rare historical texts cannot be taken from other libraries, so plan ahead when visiting another collection.
  • Library codes may be entered to focus on a specific collection (Example: DLC for the Library of Congress)

Online Reference Tools

The following sources are reference tools that are only accessible through a paying institution, such as USC Upstate.

Search Strategies for Reference Books

Search catalog: Search Strategies

  • Search the library catalog for sources related to your topic.  Begin broadly and develop a more specific search.
  • Select keywords based on your broad and specific definition of your topic
  • Use a variety of terms: Charleston AND...redevelopment, planning, community, politics, urban, etc
  • Consult the works cited in books that you use and request those books using services indicated below

Finding Reference Books in the Search catalog

  • Enter the letters REF and select Search catalog
  • Combine REF with another keyword (not shown in this graphic) to target your search to specific materials

Enter letters REF into search bar; select REF:SearchUP Catalog

  • Limit to USC Upstate Reference using the checkbox

Check the box on left hand side under "Refine my results" for USC Upstate Reference

  • A list of Reference materials will populate; note that items will indicate whether they are available or not

Results example of Reference books available