Reference Collection
Search the Reference Collections:
Note: This searches the GCC library reference collections at North and Main.
Note: Searches our online collections of articles from from online encyclopedias and other online electronic books.
Search Tips
Please ask for help at the Information Desk for additional assistance.
For specific types of material, combine a term related to your research with an appropriate term for the type of reference material you are looking for -- such as the word “encyclopedias” or “dictionaries” or "almanac".
For example, combining the terms “Mexico” and “encyclopedias” results in a list of encyclopedias about Mexico.
You may get better search results if you use one of the following terms as a 'subject keyword' on the advanced search screen. On the same screen, add a 'general keyword' for your area of interest and limit to Glendale Community College library for best results.
Examples of reference materials include:
Please ask for help at the Information Desk for additional assistance.
How to find Reference Materials
- Browse the Reference Collection
Due to the size of the Reference collection and the fact that it covers all topics from A to Z, it is not recommended that you browse the reference collection for materials. However, books in the reference collection are arranged in subject order according to Library of Congress Classification.
It is best to either search the catalog to find specific call numbers of reference books on your topic, or else visit the Information Desk for assistance.
- To browse a list of titles for specific types of reference materials, see search tips.
- Recommended Lists
- Research Guides - created by the librarians to guide research on particular subject, includes listings of key reference books.
Collection Description
The Reference Collection consists of items that must remain in the library so that library users can rely upon their accessibility. These books include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, almanacs, statistical sources, and specialized materials such as atlases. Sometimes there will be duplicate copies or older editions of a title in the General Collection.
Upon finding useful information in a particular reference source, please photocopy those pages on a library copy machine.
- Research Guides - created by the librarians to guide research on particular subject, includes listings of key reference books.
