Q. What is Reference?

If you see a book in the catalog located in Reference, it will be on the first floor of the library. Reference books are dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, atlases, almanacs, and other types of books with basic or background information. Reference books cannot be checked out and must be used within the building. You can take them to other floors, including the computer lab upstairs.

The Reference Desk is the place to ask for help. From finding a book to doing a dissertation lit review, the Reference Desk, and the Reference Librarians that staff it, is here to help you get the most out of your library.

A 'reference' can also be a citation.