History of Popular Culture: History and Film (HIST124-56, Dr. Hudson-Richards)

There are numerous types of reference works, such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, companions, handbooks, etc. They are important because they supply us with the most basic facts about topics, in easily accessible formats. Gumberg Library offers access to thousands of such works, in both the traditional print format, as well a electronically. The vast majority of our reference works these days are available as ebooks.

Some reference works have a very broad focus, and some of devoted to a very narrow subject area.  There are a number of ways to access reference works:

• Research guides point to reference works specific to the subjects of the guides
• You can search for reference works in the DUQSearch conline catalog, which will give you call numbers for printed reference works and direct links to those that are ebooks
• You can search databases of reference works that will connect you to possibly hundreds of background sources

Here are links to some research guides that will connect you to numerous reference works:

• African American Reference Works
• Art History Reference Works
• History Reference Works
• Modern Wars Reference Works

And you can search databases of reference works through the links on this page (You'll find the links to these databases under "Electronic Reference Works"):

• Research Process: Background Sources

A useful reference work from the Internet:

• Spartacus Educational