Guides to the Literature Guides to the literature refer you to specific sources that are available on a particular topic or area of study. Our library will not own all of the sources listed in these guides, but they will point out useful tools that may be available at other libraries. Encyclopedias often provide a good starting point for background reading on a topic. Researchers use encyclopedias to acquaint themselves with an unfamiliar topic. Encyclopedia articles include definitions, cross references to other topics, history, discussion, and a bibliography of relevant articles.
Dictionaries provide spelling, definitions, usage of words, and often pronunciation and etymology.
Encyclopedic dictionaries include a short discussion of the topic. A bibliography identifies all or selected known works on a specific subject. Bibliographies appear in our books or periodical articles. They are also published separately. It may be necessary to use biographical dictionaries and directories when checking the credentials of a scientist.