Basic Reference
Resources
Park View High School
Library Media Center
Prepared by
Candace Main Rush
Library Media Specialist
ALMANAC
Contains basic facts
on a variety of topics
For Example: awards,
political leaders,
annual rainfall, flags,
countries
Arranged by topic;
use index
ATLAS
Maps, maps, maps
For example,
countries, states,
cities, historic
events, stars
Usually arranged
alphabetically,
use index
BROCHURE
Pamphlet
Short printed
publication about
places or topics
For example, the
library, Monticello
1-10 pages
ENCYCLOPEDIA
General
information on
major topics
For example,
tigers, Columbia,
soccer
Arranged
alphabetically
MAGAZINE
Short publication with
articles, photos, stories
Issued periodically
(weekly, monthly)
Sometimes general
(Newsweek, Time);
sometimes on particular
topic (Lacrosse, Instyle,
People)
Arranged by topic
NEWSPAPER
Printed and
distributed--usually
daily or weekly
Contains news,
opinions, sports,
obituaries, births
Arranged by
importance or
subject
TEXTBOOK
Book used to study a
particular subject
Presents basic
concepts and
principles of topic
Arranged by main
sections or chapters
ONLINE LIBRARY
CATALOG
Database containing
materials found in the
library
Can search by author,
title or subject
Records contain
summary, call number
and checkout status
DICTIONARY
Book of words
Gives part of speech,
correct pronunciation,
meaning and how to
use
Arranged
alphabetically
INDEX
List in back of
publication that
gives subjects or
names covered in the
work and the page(s)
where each can be
found
May also be a
separate book
Arranged
alphabetically
MANUAL
Small handbook of
facts, diagrams &/or
useful information on
a particular subject
Gives information
about how something
works
Arranged by topic or
in numeric procedure
TABLE OF CONTENTS
At front of
publication
Sequential list of
book’s topics and
page numbers on
which each starts
Arranged by books
main sections or
chapters
THESAURUS
Book of word
synonyms — words
that have the same
meanings
Thesaurus means
treasury or store
Terms are listed
alphabetically or by
page indicated in index
BIOGRAPHY
Book that tells about
the life of a famous
person
May be contained in
a collection of
biographies
Collections of
biographies arranged
alphabetically
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