Fundamental Reference Sources

Completely updated and revised, this authoritative reference on reference features the best available materials in all media for general library collections. Credible and comprehensive, this handy manual outlines what it takes to easily locate, evaluate and select the best information sources for a wide variety of needs. Speaking to the heart and soul of every library, Fundamental Reference Sources is a guide through the shifting landscape of reference sources, new electronic formats and remote systems that are supported through the Internet and World Wide Web. Use it to locate data sources to provide better, faster and more complete answers for reference patrons, and to: develop practical guidelines for evaluating reference works; meet the needs of a multicultural audience using non-English sources, biographical listings of under-represented populations, and bilingual dictionaries; discover more electronic and nonprint media, government publications, collective indexes and abstracts to broaden search capabilities; and identify current electronic resources for each reference category to stay on top of the wired generation.