2. Reference Area*

The reference area, usually located near the front of the library, often has large tables and comfortable chairs available. Library users are expected to use the reference materials right in this area as these books do not circulate(9); that means you cannot borrow them and take them home. You are more than welcome to find a comfortable spot to read and make notes from the reference material which include

A. Dictionaries and Thesauruses*

The reference section usually contains a variety of general and specific dictionaries as well as a selection of Thesauruses, all of which you learned to use in Module 1.

B. Encyclopedia*

Encyclopedia are also stored in the reference section. There are two types of encyclopedia: general and specific.

General encyclopedias usually have about 20 volumes filled with articles written by recognized experts. The entries are arranged alphabetically by topic. The last volume of a set of encyclopedia is often an index where you can search for the topic you want. Each entry in the index is followed by a volume number and page number (e.g.Bears, polar: Volume II p 349), showing exactly where to find the information you want. These indexes may also use abbreviations to indicate photographs, related articles, etc. Look for the part of the index that explains how to use it.

9.cannot be borrowed because they must be available to library users all the time