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