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Gathering Background Information

Gathering Background Information

The Reference Room in Booth Library contains specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, yearbooks, handbooks, guides and other types of reference sources in most subject areas. These can be used for gathering background information and will help you to:
  • Obtain ideas for possible topics
  • Find out if a topic interests you
  • Become familiar with a topic
  • Obtain ideas about aspects of your topic that you might write about
  • Identify keywords that you might use in a search to describe those aspects.
Reference books are arranged in Library of Congress call number order on the shelves in the Reference Room at Booth. Specialized encyclopedias can be found in most subject areas. To find an encyclopedia or other reference book on the topic in which you are interested, you can ask for assistance at the reference desk or search the Online Catalog using appropriate topic word(s) and the type of reference source desired (e.g. dictionary travel).