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Determining Client Information - CULLB401C: Section 2: Reference Sources
Determining Client Information - CULLB401C: Section 2: Reference Sources
CULLB401C
School of Human Services – Department of Humanities & F.E.
Advanced Diploma of Library/Information Services
Primary sources: These are where the information is created - e.g., personal papers,
diaries, letters, recording an interview. For example, Captain Cook’s Endeavour journal
Tertiary sources: These are used to track existing information - e.g., indexes and
abstracts, catalogues, bibliographies. For example, M.K. Beddie’s Bibliography of Captain
James Cook, R.N., F.R.S., circumnavigator
Information can be found in almost any library resource. However most libraries keep a
collection of specific reference/information books for finding facts and definitions and
for information such as
The answers to questions like these can be found in reference sources such as almanacs,
directories, biographical dictionaries, specialized dictionaries, encyclopaedias,
handbooks and yearbooks.
There is a huge number and variety of reference works. Many are general works,
designed to answer specific questions and sometimes also provide more extensive
information.
There are even more specialised reference works. They range from dictionaries and
encyclopedias on specific subjects to directores of particular types of people or
organisations, to regional or national atlases, yearbooks and so on.
Dictionaries
Related works
Thesaurus: Contains synonyms and related words and phrases. Most thesauri
are arranged in classified order although some are alphabetical. A thesaurus is
also a list of terms used in a database.
Lexicon: Is usually a dictionary of an ancient language,e.g. Latin.
Glossary: Is an alphabetical list of definitions, usually in a particular subject or
field.
Concordance: Is an alphabeticial list of the principle words in a book, e.g. the
bible or works by a particular author such as William Shakespeare., with
references to the text.
Here are some types of dictionaries and related works –
Encyclopedias or Encyclopedias
There are three main types of geographical soures. They provide information about
places, towns, cities, villages, rivers, mountains and lakes.
Determining client information –
CULLB401C
School of Human Services – Department of Humanities & F.E.
Advanced Diploma of Library/Information Services
Atlases: These consist of maps and indexes to help users find places on the
maps. These include atlases of the world, space, regions, countries, historical
events and road or street directories.
Gazetteers: These are geographical dictionaries that list places, their locations,
and other factual information. Recent editions provide up-to-date details and
older edtions provide historical information. Entries may include pronunciation,
location, area, population, geographical and physical descriptions and historical
data.
Biographical sources
They are usually arranged alphabetically by surname. Some sources include portraits
and bibliographies that lead to more detailed information. These sources, called
biographical dictionaries or directories, usually include entries based on country,
occupation or profession, gender, race and whether the person is living or dead.
Some biographical dictionaries are compiled by historians and/or subject experts using
primary and authoritative secondary sources. Other contain information supplied by
the subjects themselves. The authority of the publisher is vital to ensure that the
information is reliable, rather than what the subjects wish to be the case.
Universal or international – These include entries for people from all countries
and tend to be restricted to notable public figures, excluding popular
entertainment and sporting personalities. They may include biblical, mythological
or legendary people and may include living and/or dead people. E.g. Encyclopedia
of world biography.
Directories
Directories are lists of people, organisations, courses, services and so on. They contain
contact and often, other details.
Directories of organsiations include the full name of each organisation, its address,
telephone number, names of personnel or office bearers, its function or purpose, date
of establishment, a brief history, its activities, services and publications.
up-to-date
updated regularly
easy to use
Yearbooks and almanacs are annual publications that contain many useful
miscellaneous facts. Since they are updated every year, their informaiton is likely to be
current. Their small size and straightforward arrangement make them easy to use
reference sources
News summaries
News summaries are weekly or monthly digests of news events, usually looseleaf and
stored in date order. Cumulations are published regularly and include a detailed index,
e.g. Facts on file, Keesings record of world events (also available online)
Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is the official statistical organisation for the
Commonwealth and State governments of Australia. It collects statistical information
for governments, business, education, planners, community organisations and the
public. It aims to encourage and assist informed decision-making, research and
discussion in the community.
Standards
Standards Australia develops Australian Standards, often in association with
international standard bodies. Standards are statements of the minimum requirements
to ensure that a product, material or procedure will do the job it is intended to do.
over 5000 Australian standards covering topics from building codes to library shelving.
Standards are available in print and online.
Annual reports
Annual reports are a valuable source of current information on organisations,
government departments, companies and statutory bodies. They contain mission
statements, personnel details, policies, descriptions of programs and financial statistics.
Decide what type of reference book supplies that category of information. Each type
of information need is best served by a particular type of reference source.
Biographical reference
Determining client information –
CULLB401C
School of Human Services – Department of Humanities & F.E.
Advanced Diploma of Library/Information Services
Specialized
General
Specialized
Encyclopaedias. Dictionaries.
Encyclopaedia of Australia
Determining client information –
CULLB401C
School of Human Services – Department of Humanities & F.E.
Advanced Diploma of Library/Information Services
Biographical sources
Biographical Dictionary
Biographical Dictionary Of
Modern World Leaders 1992 To
The Present
Concordance
A complete concordance or
verbal index to words, phrases
and passages in the dramatic
works of Shakespeare with a
supplementary concordance to
the poems
Dictionaries.
Dictionary of 20th Century Art
Dictionary of Abbreviations
Dictionary of Archaeology
The Australian concise Oxford dictionary
The Concise Oxford dictionary of quotations /
The Concise Oxford-Duden German dictionary: German-English
Yearbooks,
Yearbook Of Science And Technology
Australian motion picture yearbook 1980
Almanacs
Australian almanac.
The World almanac and book of facts.
Directories
Directory Of Australian Associations
Directory Of Community Health And Support Services For The Grampians Region
Geographical sources
The Cambridge Dictionary of Australian Places /
Master Names File [Australia 1:250000 And 1:100000 Master Names Gazetteer
(Place Names)]
The Ausmap atlas of Australia
Coastal invertebrates of Victoria : an atlas of selected species
Macmillan world atlas.
Biographical sources
Biographical Dictionary
Biographical Dictionary Of Artists
Determining client information –
CULLB401C
School of Human Services – Department of Humanities & F.E.
Concordance
A complete concordance or verbal index to words, phrases and passages in the
dramatic works of Shakespeare with a supplementary concordance to the poems
The Exhaustive concordance of the Bible