THE REFERENCE SECTION… A CLOSER LOOK CREATED BY MR. ROGER SILVERBLATT, SLMS © 2017

WHAT IS THE REFERENCE SECTION? A separate section for atlases, almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias and thesauri. These items do not circulate so that they will always be available for use in the library. In many cases, it will be your first stop in the library when you need information in order to complete a book report, research project, or any other nonfiction or information-based assignment.

ALMANAC The almanac is a reference book which is published annually. There is usually an index found in the front of the book with the different subjects arranged alphabetically. Most of the information is organized according to subject and presented in the form of either a chart, graph, list, or table.

ATLAS An atlas is most commonly referred to as “a book of maps.” In addition to maps, an atlas contains a large amount of geographical information related to locations (cities, states, countries, continents, etc.), natural resources and geographical features (deserts, lakes, mountains, oceans, rivers.) Atlases also contain statistical information related to geography such as annual precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) totals as well as demographic statistics (population, religions, birth rates, mortality rates, etc.)

DICTIONARY A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words, with information given for each word. This information usually includes the word’s meaning, pronunciation (how to say the word), the word’s etymology (origin of the word and its meaning.) It also includes the entry word’s part of speech (n. for noun; v. for verb; adj. for adjective, adv. For adverb, etc.) There are guide words at the top of the page to make looking for the entry word easier. The guide word on the top left usually indicates the first entry word on the top left page and the guide word on the right usually indicates the last entry word on the bottom right page. Sometimes a dictionary might have small maps, labeled illustrations or miscellaneous charts showing various reference tables (lists of the elements, geographic names, commonly used abbreviations, etc.)

GUIDE WORDS

ENCYCLOPEDIA Basically an encyclopedia differs from a dictionary in that a dictionary is basically devoted to words and an encyclopedia offers information on various subjects, followed by an explanation of each subject that has been identified. Each subject is referred to as an “entry.” The subjects are arranged alphabetically. Most letters of the alphabet have a separate encyclopedia, called a volume, which contain subjects beginning with the respective letter. All the individual volumes combined make up a set of encyclopedias. Guide words are found at the top of an encyclopedia page to assist in finding the needed subject much easier and quicker. In many cases, the encyclopedia will be your first stop when you need nonfiction-related information on many subjects ranging from famous people, notable places, animals, etc., or just about anything you can experience via the use of many of your senses. Encyclopedias also contain charts, maps, labeled illustrations and diagrams, and photographs.

THESAURUS More than one thesaurus is spelled “thesauri.” A thesaurus is a book of synonyms (words with similar meanings) and antonyms (words which are opposites.) A thesaurus is arranged in alphabetical order. Guide words are found at the top of a thesaurus page to assist in finding the needed subject much easier and quicker. The most famous thesaurus is named for a British physician and scholar who compiled the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases in 1852. His name is Peter Mark Roget. A thesaurus might be thought of as a book which is organized to help you find the word you want but cannot think of.

Please note the difference: A library is a place to go when you are looking to access a “world of information”. Please refrain from using the word “stuff” when you mean the word “information. Please note the difference: WORLD OF INFORMATION “STUFF”

CONCLUSION Remember, in the event you are asked to complete a research project or need to find information very quickly, head directly to the Reference Section. Once there, you will be able to access information via an atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, or thesaurus. Don’t be afraid to LOOK IT UP!!! Good Luck!!!