Introduction to the Kirk Library

Reference sources include encyclopedias and subject dictionaries. These types of sources provide broad overviews of topics, which are helpful when you need some fast facts about a topic or when you are just starting your research. Reference sources help you begin to teach yourself about your topic. Teaching yourself about your topic using reference sources has several benefits, including helping you: 

1. identify the major concepts and issues related to your topic,
2. narrow your research to one aspect of your topic that you would like to investigate further,
3. and identify vocabulary associated with your topic that you can use to inform further research.