8 Online Reference Resources

Learning Objective

By the end of this chapter, readers should be able to enumerate different common types of reference resources and be able to locate them

A reference resource provides a person with a summary of a topic and links for further research. Online Reference Resources are the same, but available through digital portals, databases, and other online websites. A patron with their own phone, computer, tablet or one of the libraries can access these resources. One of the easiest online reference tools is the internet, which can be used by simply looking up topics. Besides the internet, other online reference resources include bibliographical, periodical, ready references, educational, health, law, government, and business resources. This chapter’s content covers online reference resources and their use-cases.

A bibliographical resource or bibliography is a list of materials that can be sorted by author, title, and subject. Each item within a bibliography records pertinent information about the source like publisher, publication date, etc. Periodical reference resources include newspapers, magazines, and journals. A good reference tool to find them is the Directory of Open Access Journals or the Free Library. Ready reference tools are the quick and easy references or links for websites that are on hand to use. A general example of this would be a website with a quick or ready reference section about their specific topic or further research if the reader is interested. A bibliography can sometimes act like a ready reference for a specific topic.

As libraries continue to bridge communities to information and technology, other specialized online reference tools expand the reach and access of knowledge. In education, OpenStax gives librarians, teachers, and students opportunities to explore free digital textbooks and supplemental tools to enhance their learning experiences, while also being simple to navigate, customizable, and easy to integrate into schools. Librarians can evaluate its effectiveness through improved digital literacy, resource sharing, and cost savings across their learning communities.

In the health field, access to reliable information can be considered life changing, and librarians play an essential role in guiding users toward trustworthy sources. PubMed provides free access to over 39 million citations of biomedical literature, including journal articles and clinical studies, and allows users to easily search by keyword, author, or medical subject heading to locate relevant research for their medical queries. Usage of these resources is beneficial for librarians as we can promote health literacy, accessibility, and enhance informed decision-making across communities.

Libraries are often the first stop for patrons seeking law and business resources. Two good examples are Modern Courts offering clear, accessible summaries of court structures and procedures, geared towards librarians to use when helping the public, and Business Dynamic Statistics (BDS) providing free, up-to-date data on job creation, firm births, and shutdowns through the BDS Explorer, supporting research and planning.

Government reference resources are materials published by the government’s expenses or required by law. These documents are often separated by branches of government, departments, and other distinctions. A good example of a government reference resource is the Federal Register which provides regulations, rules, and notices from government agencies and departments.

Key Takeaway

Online reference resources provide quick access to reliable information across many subject areas and use cases. Familiarity with common resource types allows librarians to connect patrons with appropriate entry points for research and learning.