Encyclopedias

Encyclopedias provide short, factual entries available covering virtually any topic. Entries are usually written by different authors who are knowledgeable about the topic. Encyclopedias may be general (covering a wide variety of topics) or specific (having in-depth entries on a particular topic). You can use a catalog to find out which encyclopedias are available in a particular library or you can find some encyclopedias online.

Use an encyclopedia:

• when looking for background information on your topic
• to find key ideas, people, dates and concepts

Examples:

• Encyclopedia Britannica (general encyclopedia)
• Goodman, Jordan, ed. Tobacco in history and culture: an encyclopedia. Detroit: Thomson Gale, c2005. (subject encyclopedia)