Reference work

A reference work is a document, such as a paper, book or periodical (or their electronic equivalents), to which one can refer for information. The information is intended to be found quickly when needed. Such works are usually referred to for particular pieces of information, rather than read beginning to end. The writing style used in these works is informative; the authors avoid opinions and the use of the first person, and emphasize facts.

Indices are a common navigation feature in many types of reference works. Many reference works are put together by a team of contributors whose work is coordinated by one or more editors, rather than by an individual author. Updated editions are usually published as needed, in some cases annually, such as Whitaker's Almanack, and Who's Who.

Reference works include , , , bibliography, biographical sources, cataloging such as and art catalogs, concordances, dictionary, directories such as business directories and telephone directories, discography, Encyclopedia, filmography, gazetteer, glossary, , indices such as bibliographic indices and citation index, user guide, research guides, , and .

Reference works, while traditionally printed, are often available in electronic form and can be obtained as reference software, , , or online through the Internet. Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, is both the largest and the most-read reference work in history.

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Library reference book In most Public library and Academic library, reference books are usually not available to be borrowed by patrons like the rest of the library's holdings. Reference books are either used very frequently—a dictionary or an atlas, for example—or very infrequently, such as a highly specialized concordance. Because some reference books are consulted by patrons too frequently to have enough copies and others so infrequently that replacing it would be difficult, libraries prefer to make them available for photocopy rather than checkout.

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Types of reference work The main types and categories of reference works include:

• Abstracting journal – a published summary of articles, theses, reviews, conference proceedings etc. arranged systematically
• Almanac – an annual publication, listing a set of current, general or specific information about one or multiple subjects
• Annals – concise historical record in which events are arranged chronologically
• Atlas – a collection of maps traditionally been bound into book form
• Bibliographies – a systematic list of books and other works such as journal articles on a given subject or which satisfy particular criteria
• Biographical dictionary – an encyclopedic dictionary limited to biographical information
• Books of Quotations – collections of satisfying particular criteria, arranged systematically
• Chronicle/Chronology – a historical account of events arranged in chronological order
• Compendium – a concise collection of information pertaining to a body of knowledge
• Concordance – an alphabetical list of the principal words used in a book or body of work
• Dictionary – a list of words from one or more languages, systematically arranged and giving meanings, etymologies etc.
• – a summary of information on a particular subject
• – a systematically arranged list of names, addresses, products, etc.
• Business directory
• Telephone directory
• Web directory
• Encyclopaedia – a compendium providing summaries of knowledge either from all branches or from a particular field or discipline
• Gazetteer – a geographical dictionary or directory used to provide systematic access to a map or atlas
• Glossary – an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms
• Handbook – a small or portable book intended to provide ready reference
• Index – a publication giving systematic access to a body of knowledge
• Lexicon – a synonym for a dictionary or encyclopaedic dictionary
• – a published enumeration of a set of items
• – a handbook providing instructions in the use of a particular product
• Phrase book – a collection of ready-made phrases, arranged systematically, usually for a foreign language together with a translation
• Ready reckoner – a printed book or table containing pre-calculated values
• Thematic catalogue – an index used to identify musical compositions through the citation of the opening notes
• Textbook – a reference work containing information about a subject
• Thesaurus – a reference work for finding synonyms and sometimes antonyms of words
• Timetable – a published list of schedules giving times for transportation or other events
• Yearbook – a compendium containing events relating to a specific year

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Electronic resources An electronic resource is a computer program or data that is stored electronically, which is usually found on a computer, including information that is available on the Internet.

Joan Reitz (2025). 9781563089626, Bloomsbury Academic. . ISBN 9781563089626

Libraries offer numerous types of electronic resources including e-text such as e-book and electronic journals, bibliographic databases, institutional repositories, , and software applications.

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Further reading

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General

• (1984). 9780853659952, Library Association. ISBN 9780853659952
• William A. Katz (2025). 9780072441079, McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780072441079
• William A. Katz (2025). 9780072441437, McGraw-Hill. . ISBN 9780072441437
• Jack Lynch (2025). 9780802777522, Bloomsbury Press. ISBN 9780802777522

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Guides to reference works

• (2019). 9781440869136, Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 9781440869136
  Published annually beginning in 1970.
• (2025). 9781856044950, Neal-Schuman Publishers. . ISBN 9781856044950
• (2025). 9781856044981, Facet Publishing. . ISBN 9781856044981
• (2025). 9781856044998, Facet Publishing. ISBN 9781856044998
• Eugene P. Sheehy (1976). 9780838902059, American Library Association. ISBN 9780838902059
  Originally compiled by Alice B. Kroeger for first two editions beginning in 1902. Subsequently, edited by Isadore Gilbert Mudge (3rd through 6th editions) and Constance Mabel Winchell (7th and 8th editions).
• First published in 1954.
• (1980). 9780853656111, Library Association. . ISBN 9780853656111
• (an abridgement of Walford's Guide)

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External links

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