Resources to use from the Reference collection
Compiled by the Youth & Children’s Services Librarian, Wyong Shire Library & Information Service
May 2006.
When doing research for an assignment, some material will be in the Reference collection. This brochure is designed to give you an outline of the types of resources that are available for you to use.
The three most common types of reference resources are –
Encyclopaedias
Common features include –
- Can be a good stepping stone into the subject you need to research
- Usually come in multiple volumes
- Subjects can be found by alphabetical index to help you locate the information needed
- Well supported by a number of graphic techniques such as maps, graphs, photographs and internal structures depending on the topic area
There are two types of encyclopedia that are available in the Reference collection:
- General encyclopedias which provide a reasonable amount of information about people, places, animals and past events
- Examples include World Book, Australian Encyclopedia and Encyclopedia Britannica
- Subject specific encyclopedias which provide more detailed information about a particular subject like Endangered animals; World festivals or religions; World Wars or even Costume.
If you don’t want to use an encyclopedia, what else is there to use?
Yearbooks
Yearbooks (also known as handbooks or almanacs) are a handy reference tool to use because they are able to give a current snapshot of –
- population or economic statistics and trends of a given country like the Year Book Australia
- information on politics, cultures and economies of the world’s nations in a given year like The Statesmen’s Yearbook
- information on important dates, events and people in a given year, with some key articles like The Britannica Yearbook
Atlases
These are a versatile reference tool as they are able to convey good information in a simple and visual way. Information that can be gained from atlases include –
- straightforward listing of cities, towns and natural features in a given state or country
- historical atlases provide information like locations of old gold mining towns in Australia
- landscapes, which can be helpful if you are looking at ecological subjects like the spread of deserts or distribution of endangered species etc.
These are just some of the reference tools available to you at the Wyong Shire Libraries. If you have any difficulty finding or using any of these resources please ask Library staff for some assistance.
Please remember these resources are not for loan, so make sure you have writing materials or
change for the photocopier.
Wyong Shire Branch Libraries –
Tuggerah Library & Information Centre
Telephone: 4353 5666
Information Service: 4353 5271
Youth & Children’s: 4353 5271
Lake Haven Library & Council Services
Telephone: 4392 7843
The Entrance Library & Council Services
Telephone: 4332 2256
Toukley Library
Telephone: 4396 4247
Bateau Bay Library (Bay Village)
Telephone: 4332 3243
Websites
Council – www.wyong.nsw.gov.au
Library – www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/libraries/libraries_home.html
Page last updated: 27/08/2006 |
