Publication to which one can refer for confirmed facts From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a kind of publication. For the work that librarians perform at a library reference desk, see Reference desk.
A reference work is a work, such as a paper, book or periodical (or their electronic equivalents), to which one can refer for information.[1] The information is intended to be found quickly when needed. Such works are usually referred to for particular pieces of information, rather than read beginning to end. The writing style used in these works is informative; the authors avoid opinions and the use of the first person, and emphasize facts.
Indices are a common navigation feature in many types of reference works. Many reference works are put together by a team of contributors whose work is coordinated by one or more editors, rather than by an individual author. Updated editions are usually published as needed, in some cases annually (Whitaker's Almanack, Who's Who).
In contrast to books that are loaned, a reference book or reference-only book in a library is one that may only be used in the library and may not be borrowed from the library. Many such books are reference works (in the first sense), which are, usually, used briefly or photocopied from, and therefore, do not need to be borrowed.[citation needed] Keeping reference books in the library assures that they will always be available for use on demand. Some reference-only books are too valuable to permit borrowers to take them out. Reference-only items may be shelved in a reference collection located separately from circulating items. Some libraries consist entirely, or to a large extent, of books which may not be borrowed.
These are the main types and categories of reference work:
Abstracting journal – a published summary of articles, theses, reviews, conference proceedings etc. arranged systematically
Almanac – an annual publication, listing a set of current, general or specific information about one or multiple subjects
Annals – concise historical record in which events are arranged chronologically
Atlas – a collection of maps traditionally been bound into book form
Bibliography – a systematic list of books and other works such as journal articles on a given subject or which satisfy particular criteria
Lynch, Jack (2016). You Could Look It Up: The Reference Shelf From Ancient Babylon to Wikipedia. New York: Bloomsbury Press. ISBN978-0802777522.
Guides to reference works
Chenoweth, Juneal M., ed. (24 June 2019). American Reference Books Annual. Santa Barbara, California: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN978-1-4408-6913-6. Published annually beginning in 1970.
Heeks, Peggy (1968). Books of Reference for School Libraries: An Annotated List (2nded.). London: Library Association. ASINB0006C36OO.
Lester, Ray, ed. (2015). New Walford Guide to Reference Resources, Volume 3: Arts, Humanities, and General Reference. London: Facet Publishing. ISBN978-1856044998.
Malclès, Louise Noëlle (1950). Les sources du travail bibliographique (in French). Geneva: Librairie Droz.
Totok, Wilhelm; Weitzel, Rolf (1984–1985). Handbuch der bibliographischen Nachschlagewerke (in German) (6thed.). Frankfurt am Main: Klostermann. First published in 1954.