The following definitive works are selective bibliographies which contain information on how and when to use the major types of reference tools, print and electronic, including: bibliographies, indexes, encyclopedias, almanacs, yearbooks, handbooks, directories, biographical sources, dictionaries, geographical sources, and government documents. While these are two of the best-known textbooks written for college and graduate school reference classes, the information is quite accessible and useful for anyone working in a library. For example, you can consult them to quickly locate the titles of standard works within a discipline. Either of these is highly recommended if you want to read further to expand your reference skills and knowledge.
Introduction to Reference Work, by William A. Katz. 8th ed. 2 volumes. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2002. (Volume one is titled Basic Information Sources and volume two is titled Reference Services and Reference Processes.)
Reference and Information Services: An Introduction, ed. by Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith. 3rd ed. Libraries Unlimited, 2001.
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