Reference books are works which are consulted for specific bits of information. These are kept in a special reading room on Level 1, and to ensure their availability, cannot be taken out of the Library.
The Reference collection is divided into general reference material, subject reference works and sources of bibliographical control. General reference embraces such works as directories, encyclopedias, general biographical compilations, atlases, and yearbooks. Subject reference works cover all the reference sources in a particular area, and bring together encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies and all relevant material in any given field.
Bibliographies The most important section of the collection consists of bibliographical control, or bibliographies, which list all published material both current and retrospective. These lists are extremely helpful in research work because they supply references to both books and periodical articles in any given field. Bibliographies appear under various guises. There are universal bibliographies, national bibliographies, trade, and subject bibliographies. Guides to the literature are also very important bibliographical tools. Most students however, have recourse to subject indexes and abstracts, and to current awareness tools, which list references to articles in periodicals.
E-Reference Sources Some reference works, especially indexing and abstracting services, are available in electronic format. Specialised literature searches can also be made online in any subject, accessing hundreds of licensed databases hosted by DIALOG.
Guides The Reference Department is responsible for students’ instruction through introductory guided tours to freshmen, and lectures to specific groups of students. It also compiles guides, brochures and subject bibliographies for the benefit of users, and maintains two information desks to help students with their needs.
Recent Acquisitions Those who want to know what books are acquired by the Library should consult the Recent Acquisitions shelves in the Reference room. New additions to the Library are kept here for about two weeks. These books may not be borrowed before they are put on the shelves in their respective sequence but they may be reserved in advance.
For assistance, please contact the Reference Section on telephone number 2340-2050 or by email.
