The Champlain College Library has a reference section with frequently needed sources for a variety of research needs. These sources are valuable for orientation and backgrounding purposes, but they are too general and summary to be used as primary sources. Researchers should note the publisher, purpose, and date of such sources. Atlases provide very good general information about regions and countries, including graphic presentation of atmospheric conditions, economic development, and demographic trends. Consult the section at the beginning of the volume.
Historic atlases are also very helpful.
Check the publication date. Encyclopedias contain summary articles by experts in the respective fields, followed by a short list of authoritative sources. Check the publication date Current Biography has information about personalities recently prominent. World Biography provides information about many movers in world history. Dictionary of World Religions explains many aspects of the various religions.