This guide compiles many kinds of "reference sources". We can think of reference sources as published materials that provide well-established information, arranged systematically. In research, they are often used to find general or background information, and to quickly establish key facts about a topic.
Reference sources may or may not have a disciplinary focus. We recommend also consulting subject-specific research guides for specialized resources in your field of study.
Each section of this guide provides information about the types of resources featured, explanations about when and why you might consult them, and examples from our collections. Materials in our physical reference collection are generally located on the west side of the 9th floor in Bobst Library and cannot be checked out.
An image, date unknown, of the New York Public Library 135th Street branch reference room, from the New York Public Library Digital Collections.
