BC3 Library: BC3 Library: Reference Sources

Reference Databases at BC3

Exploring a new subject? Starting a research project? We recommend starting with Reference Sources.

What are reference sources?

Reference sources are resources designed to be consulted for quick answers, facts, background information, and overviews. They are available in general or subject specific contexts and in print and online formats. They include biographies, dictionaries, encyclopedias, issue reports, book reviews, calculators, country profiles, and more.

Reference sources are a great starting point for research projects because they provide:

Background or introductory information on a topic
Terminology or keywords to use in further searches
A bibliography listing additional sources on a topic

General Reference Databases at BC3

Britannica Academic Edition This link opens in a new window
Britannica, and the resources bundled within the collection, supply topic overviews, biographies, word and concept definitions, a world atlas, historical timelines, quotations, illustrations, photos, videos, links to relevant articles and websites, primary sources, and the World Data Analyst, supplying customizable charts and tables of statistics on countries of the world. Users can suggest edits and additions to content.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo Reference provides Topic Pages, which offer background information on a particular topic that can give you an easy starting point and pathways for further research; Access to hundreds of in-depth subject encyclopedias and handbooks covering every major subject from Accounting to Art History and Shakespeare to Einstein; and Mind Maps that visually show relationships between topics and keywords.
Salem Press This link opens in a new window
Provides full-text online access to a range of reference works published by Salem Press in the areas of health, history, literature, and science
Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
This is currently a collection of four online reference resources: Gale Encyclopedia of Fitness, Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health, Posthumanism: The Future of Homo Sapiens, and the St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture.

Reference Sources by Subject

Pro/Con Issues

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Issues and Controversies This link opens in a new window
Salem Press This link opens in a new window
Includes the Reference Shelf series - a collection of books on issue topics.

Ancestry/Genealogy

Ancestry Library This link opens in a new window
Ancestry Library Edition delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more from countries all over the world. It's resources cover the United States and the United Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada, Europe, Australia and other areas of the world.

Biographical

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Britannica Academic Edition This link opens in a new window
Literary Reference Center Plus This link opens in a new window
Includes biographies of authors and interviews with authors.
Literature Criticism Online This link opens in a new window
Includes biographies of authors.

Country Profiles/Geography

Global Road Warrior This link opens in a new window
Global Road Warrior offers reliable, up-to-date information on countries around the world, including country facts, travel essentials, and extensive coverage of culture, history, and language. Articles are easily cited though the "Cite this Document" feature.
Britannica Academic Edition This link opens in a new window
Britannica, and the resources bundled within the collection, supply topic overviews, biographies, word and concept definitions, a world atlas, historical timelines, quotations, illustrations, photos, videos, links to relevant articles and websites, primary sources, and the World Data Analyst, supplying customizable charts and tables of statistics on countries of the world. Users can suggest edits and additions to content.

Dictionaries/Thesauri/Etymology

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Reference collection that includes general dictionaries, subject dictionaries (e.g.law), thesauri, quotes, and etymology.

Health/Medicine

Salem Press This link opens in a new window
Salem Press has several health and medical reference books.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
The Credo Reference collection includes several medical encyclopedias and dictionaries.
Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
The Gale collection includes an Encyclopedia of Fitness and an Encyclopedia of Mental Health,

Law

Westlaw This link opens in a new window
Westlaw is a legal database that includes secondary and primary legal sources. Primary sources include statutes, codes, and case law. Secondary sources include articles from legal journals and the American Jurisprudence legal encyclopedia.
Salem Press This link opens in a new window
The Salem Press collection includes a Criminal Justice encyclopedia.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo Reference collection includes legal encyclopedias and dictionaries.