Reference sources like encyclopedias (and dictionaries) are books that provide small bits of information when you're trying to get a deep understanding of an idea/person/place/thing/event. A reference resources contains reliable information that can be verified, cited, and included in your research.
Search by keywords, title, and/or author (use the format of last name, first name)
Find print books by selecting 'Available In Library' in the left-hand column.
Use different words and phrases that have a similar meaning, like “capital punishment” and “death penalty”
Pay attention to the number of results. Try to get a manageable number of results that you can skim through.-- shoot for around 60 max in your results!
Too few books in your search results? Go broader on your subject and look at “prison systems”
Too many books in your results? Search for something more specific like “Lethal Injection” or “death row inmates”
Use Filter your results left-hand column to narrow results:
Print books only, select Available in the Library
eBooks only, select Available online
Explore the other options in the column, like date, publication type, and subject
For more useful tips on how to improve your results in our catalog, see Using the Library Catalog & Finding Books
You can look for eBooks in the databases below. Many titles can be downloaded to a reader, and most are easily searchable.
If you need any help, ask us. We can help!
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