Fall 2001                                                                          

 

INLS 111: INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES I

School of Library and Information Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

 

READY REFERENCE SOURCES

 

 

I.      ALMANACS, FACTBOOKS, AND COMPENDIUMS

 

The Annual Register. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1964- . Annual. [Davis Ref. Desk D2.A7]

 

Anzovin, Steven and Janet Podell. Famous First Facts: International Edition: A Record of First Happenings, Discoveries, and Inventions in World History. New York: Wilson, 2000. [Davis ref. AG5.A69 2000]

 

Awards, Honors, & Prizes. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 2000. [Davis Ref. AS8.A9].

 

Worldwide listings in all fields of recipients and the donors.  First volume covers United States and Canada.  Indexed by award, organization, and subject.

 

Britannica Book of the Year. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1938- . Annual. [Davis Ref. AE5 .E364; Electronic Access: Davis Ref. Electronic Access: http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/eid/, select Encyclopedia Britannica Online or go to  http://www.eb.com]

 

    Annual supplement to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Includes chronology, updates, revisions, and world data section encompassing statistical portraits of countries of the world.

 

Canadian Almanac and Directory. Toronto: Copp Clark Co., 1848- . [Davis Ref. AY414 .C2]

 

      Focuses predominately on Canadian affairs.  General reference information on aspects of Canada.

 

Guinness World Records. [England]: Guinness World Records, Ltd., 2000- : Facts on File, 1991-  . Annual. [Davis Ref. AG243 .G85].

 

                World records and facts for a wide variety of subjects. Lots of illustrations.

 

The Time Almanac.  Boston: Information Please LLC. Annual.  [Davis Ref.; AY64 .I55]. Previously: Information Please Almanac.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1947-  . Annual. [Davis AY64 .I55] online http://www.infoplease.com/

 

A variety of information and statistics covering the world, but with an emphasis on the U.S. Includes the winners of many different types of awards.

 

Kane, Joseph N. Famous First Facts. 5th ed. New York: H.W. Wilson Co., 1997. [Davis Ref. AG5 .K315 1981]

 

Alphabetical subject listing of 9,000+ American “firsts”--both events and inventions--with brief explanations.  Includes four indexes: year and date, personal name, and geographical.  Information can be accessed by broad topic or specific entry.

 

Statesman’s Year‑Book. New York; St. Martin’s Press, Inc., 1864 to date, annual. [Davis Ref. Desk JA51 .S7] Latest volume located behind Davis Ref. desk.

 

Provides data on countries, republics or states.  There are some comparisons of economic data between countries.  Also gives a bibliography of statistical and reference sources for each country.

 

Whitaker’s Almanack. London: J. Whitaker and Sons, Ltd, 1869-  . Annual. [Davis Ref. Desk AY754 .W5]

This almanac provides information on astronomical and other phenomena, government, finances, population, commerce, and general statistics of various nations of the world.  It contains an Index of approximately 10,000 references.  Included with some of the references are world maps and black and white photos of famous people and events.

 

World Almanac and Book of Facts. New York: Newspaper Enterprise Association, 1868-  . Annual. [Davis Ref. Desk; SILS Ref. AY67 .N5W7]

 

This almanac gives in-depth coverage of the year’s prominent stories.  It covers a wide variety of subjects including vital statistics, U.S. populations, economics, trade and transportation, taxes, astronomy, entertainers, education, U.S. memorable dates, world history, zip codes, and sports, etc.  There are no illustrations, but it does include lots of statistics and new color maps and flags from Rand McNally.  For ease of use, there is a “Quick Thumb Index” where key subject headings are highlighted in black on the pages, as well as a General Index in front and a Quick Reference Index in back.

 

 

II.    STATISTICAL SOURCES

 

        A.    Yearbooks

 

Europa World Year Book. London: Europa Publications, Ltd., 1926- . 2 v. annual. [Davis Ref. Desk JN1 .E85]

 

Information on international organizations, and detailed information on the U.N. and individual countries.  Provides data on the government, population, industries, etc.  Addresses of many government offices and some universities are also given.

 

UNESCO Statistical Yearbook. N.Y.: UNESCO, 1963 to date. [Davis Ref. AZ361 .U45]

 

                Contains reference tables on education, science, culture, and libraries in the surveyed countries.  Based on responses to questionnaires.

 

United Nations. Statistical Yearbook; Annuaire Statistique. N.Y.: U.N., 1949 to date, annual. [Davis Ref. HA12.5 .U63; Davis Ref. Electronic Resource: CD-ROM 1-58].

 

This yearbook provides comparable data for an overall comprehensive description of the world economy, its structure, major trends, and current performance.  Its purpose is to give a broad and, where feasible, a consistent picture of the socio-economic processes at the world. regional, and national levels.  It covers such topics as government sector statistics, balance of payments, science and technology, transports, energy, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction.

 

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. Wash.: GPO, 1878 to date annual. [Davis Ref. Desk HA202 .A2].

 

Indexed compilation of statistical tables (summarized, with complete source cited) relevant to social, political, and economic concerns of the U.S.  Includes regional and metropolitan tables, a “USA Statistics in Brief” pull-out folder, and an address/telephone source contact guide.

 

__________. County and City Data Book. Wash.: GPO, 1949 to date, irregular (A Statistical Abstract supp.) [Davis Ref. Desk HA202 .A36].

 

Statistical data relating to population, health care, social welfare, crime, housing, education, labor, trade, agriculture, service industries, and government--arranged in four tabular divisions according to regions, counties, cities, and places with 25,000+ inhabitants.  Also includes maps based on these same divisions.

 

U.S. Department of Commerce. STAT-USA/Internet. Washington, D.C.: Stat-USA, 1996- . [Electronic Access: Davis Ref. Electronic Resource: http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/eid/ select STAT-USA/Internet or www.stat-usa.gov]

 

STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides access to current and historical economic and financial releases and economic data from the Federal government. It also contains current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, and country analysis.

 

        B.    Indexes and Guides

 

American Statistics Index. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Information Service, 1973-  . [Davis Ref. Z7554 .U5A46].  Available online as Statistical Universe on the library’s Electronic databases page.

 

This attempts to list all federal publications that contain statistical data.  The annotations provide full bibliographic information and abstracts. Aims to be the master guide and index to all statistical publications of the U. S. government.  Periodic cumulative indexes.

 

Fleming, Michael C. and Joseph G. Nellis. Instat: International Statistics Sources: Subject Guide to Sources of International Comparative Statistics. London: Routledge, 1995. [Davis Ref. Desk Z7551 .I428 1995]

 

Statistical Reference Index. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Information Service, 1980. [Davis Ref. Z7554 .U5S79].

 

Same as the above, but covers those documents that are not published by U.S. Federal governmental agencies.  Covers private organizations and state governments.

 

Statistical Universe. [Davis Ref. Electronic Resource http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/eid/ select Statistical Universe or go to http://web.lexis-nexis.com/statuniv/]

 

                Provides abstracts and indexes of statistical information from over 100,000 U.S. government publications from 1973, state and private sources from 1980, and approximately 2,000 documents from international organizations from 1983.  Incorporates ASI subject and keyword searching. .

 

IIS. Index to International Statistics. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Information Service, 1983- . [Davis Ref. Z7552 .I53].

 

Same as the previous two titles, covering English language statistical publications of the worlds major intergovernmental organizations, such as the U.N.

 

Statistics Sources. 15th ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1962- . 2 vols. [Davis Ref. Desk Z7551.S84].

 

Combination of subject headings and geographical access points arranged alphabetically for “industrial, business, social, educational, (and) financial” information.  Separate annotated bibliography of sources; publisher street address given if known.

 

              FedStats: One Stop Shopping for Federal Statistics http://www.fedstats.gov/

 

The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains this site to provide easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies for public use. FedStats' major features include: An 'A to Z' index that provides direct access to detailed data listings in 275 categories. Includes a 'Regional Statistics' heading that offers data that is broken down into geographic areas -- frequently at State or county levels; and Links to agency contacts, press releases, and government statistical agencies outside the United States.

 

 

 

 

Statistical Resources on the Web http://www.lib.umich.edu/libhome/Documents.center/stats.html

 

Index to statistical online sources arranged by subject by the University of Michigan Documents Center. Subjects covered include: agriculture; business and industry; consumer; cost of living; demographics; economics; education; energy; environment; finance and currency; foreign economics; foreign governments; foreign trade; U.S. government finances; health; housing; labor; military; politics; science; sociology; transportation; weather. Created by Grace York (graceyor@umich.edu)

 

        C.    Historical Statistical Sources

 

Mitchell, B.R. International Historical Statistics:  the Americas 1750-1993.  New York: Stockton Press, 1998. [Davis Ref.  HA175 .M524 1998]

 

Compilation of statistics in tables including labor, agriculture, population, industry, trade, transport, finance, and education -- all from a historical perspective.  Each section is separately introduced with footnotes to draw attention to the main types of difficulties encountered when using historical statistics.  Two other volumes are also available:  Europe and Africa, Asia, and Oceania

 

Kurian, George T. Datapedia of the United States, 1790-2000. Lanham, MD; Bernan Press, 1994. [Davis Ref. Desk ha202 .K875 1994].

 

“Datapedia of the United States presents the most significant historical statistics of the United States in 23 selected areas from 1776 to 1990.  In some areas, such as demography, where projections are possible, the data are extended to 2010”--P. ix.

 

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Statistical History of the United States: From Colonial Times to the Present. Wash: New York: Basic Books. 1949 to date, irregular. [Davis Ref. HA202 .B87] (2 vols. 1975).

 

                Includes statistics and stories behind the numbers.  A reprint of Historical Statistics of the United States.

 

 

III.   LIBRARY AND BOOK PUBLISHING YEARBOOKS

 

Bowker Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1955-  . Annual. [Davis Ref. Desk; SILS Ref.  Z731 .A47]

 

News, statistics and some specific articles relating to libraries and the book trade.  Includes a directory of organizations and lists of the notable books for the year.

 

 

IV.   HANDBOOKS AND DIGESTS -- SELECTED SUBJECTS

 

        A.    Etiquette

 

Baldridge, Letitia. Letitia Baldridge’s Complete Guide to the New Manners for the 90’s.  New York: Rawson Associates, 1990.  [Davis Ref.; U.L. BJ1853 .B35 1990]

 

                Contemporary guide to manners and more, such as “Teaching Your Young Child About Alcohol.”  Illustrated, thorough table of contents, index.  More practical than the Miss Manner’s Guides.

 

 

 

 

Martin, Judith. Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior. (N.Y.: Atheneum, 1999). [Davis; U.L. BJ1853 .M294 1982]

 

This is a comprehensive guide to proper manners presented with humor and vitality.  It gives guidelines for proper behavior and covers such diverse topics as weddings, funerals, use of forks and fingerbowls, office entertaining, White House protocol, 14-course dinners, children and adults’ etiquette.  For ease of use, it is indexed.  It is illustrated and interesting to read.   Question and answer format.

 

 Post, Peggy. Emily Post’s Etiquette. 16th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 1997. [Davis Ref. Desk BJ1853 .P6 1997]

 

A standard, especially for formal occasions.  Provides a guide for situations in business and social lives.

 

        B.    Literature

 

Harmon, William and C. Hugh Holman, eds. A Handbook to Literature. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Prentice Hall, 2000. [Davis Ref. Desk PN41 .H355 2000]

 

                Provides a comprehensive explanation of terms of English literature in a dictionary format.

 

Kellman, Steven G. Masterplots II. American Fiction Series Rev. ed. .Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2000, 6 vols. [Davis Ref.  PS373.M37 2000]  Other volumes and titles in the Masterplot series in Davis Ref.

 

Magill, Frank N. Masterplots. Rev. 2nd ed. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 1996, 12 vols. [Davis Ref. PN44 .M33 1996]  Other volumes and titles in the Masterplot series in Davis Ref.

 

MagillOnLiterature. Hackensack, NJ: Salem Press, 2000. Computer file.  [Davis Ref. Electronic Resources – Internet]

 

        C.    Medicine

 

Directory of Physicians in the United States. 4 volumes, 1992- . Chicago: American Medical  Association.  [Health Sciences Library Information Desk W22 AA1 A512m]. Current volume 2000.

               

                Vol. 1 is an alphabetical listing of physicians.  The other three volumes are a geographical  register.

 

Clayman, Charles B., ed. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Rev. and updated 3rd  ed. New York: Random House, 1994. [Health Sci. Ref. WB 120 A512 1994]

 

“Consumer friendly.” Detailed self-diagnosis symptom “flowcharts” and helpful illustrations.  Includes facts about the body and its functions and how to apply that knowledge to keeping healthy.

 

Electronic AccessThe Merck Manual  of Medical Information. Home ed. Whitehouse Station, N.J. : Merck Research Laboratories, 1997. [Health Sci. Ref. WB130 .M555 1997]

 

Based almost entirely on the text of The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (1934 - ), but designed for the consumer. The Merek Manual has been a long standing authoritative and detailed source designed for doctors and health professionals with small print, big words and no illustrations.  This edition takes this information and revamps it for the layperson. Also full-text is available online.

 

The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists.  1993- . New Providence, NJ:  Marquis Who’s Who.  Current edition, 2001. [Health Science Library information desk W 22 AA1 A152].

               

Electronic AccessPhysician’s Desk Reference: PDR. Oradell, N.J.: Medical Economics, 1946-  . Annual. [Davis Ref. Desk RS75 .P5]

 

Product descriptions, submitted by manufacturers to assist physicians, for 2000+ medications. Contents include manufacturer, product name, product category, generic & chemical name indexes, a pictorial product identifier, and product information including usage, dosage, and warnings.  Continues: Physicians’ Desk Reference to Pharmaceutical Specialties and Biologicals. Not designed for average laypeople. The PDR series also includes volumes covering Drug Interactions and Side Effects, Nonprescription Drugs, and Herbal Medicines, as well as version of the PDR for the layperson:  Physician’s Desk Reference Family Guides.

 

Rees, Alan, ed. The Consumer Health Information Source Book. 5th ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 2000. [HSL  WB130.R328c 1998]

 

Guide to material and information sources in the health sciences for the lay person.  Annotated entries in a subject arrangement, the work generally excludes material published before 1979.

 

Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000. [HSL Ref Desk. W13 S812m 2000]

 

Mayo Clinic.Com - http://mayoclinic.com/

 

Easy-to-understand information on health and medical topics. The heart of the site is Diseases & Conditions A-Z with articles covering hundreds of conditions that discuss some of all of the following: signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, when to seek medical advice, screening and diagnosis, complications, treatments, prevention, self-care, coping strategies, and complementary and alternative medicine.

 

 MEDLINEplus - http://www.medlineplus.gov or via UNC-CH http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/eid/ - select MEDLINE or PubMed

 

This directory site is designed to lead the user to resources containing information that will help with researching their health questions. It includes information from MEDLINE, links to self-help groups, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) drug database, medical dictionaries, directories of doctors and hospitals, access to National Institute of Health consumer-related organizations, clearinghouses, health-related organizations, and a search databases section with dozens of databases on topics such as clinical trials, nutrition, AIDS, cancer, etc.

 

        D.    Occupations

 

Job Hunter’s Sourcebook. Detroit, MI: Gale, 1991- . [Davis Ref. Desk HF5382.7 .J6]

“Where to find employment leads and other job search resources.” Compiled in cooperation with the Career and Employment  Information Center of the Detroit Public Library.

 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wash.: GPO, 1949 to date, biennial. [Davis Ref. Fed. Docs.  L2 .3/4]  Also available on the Web.

 

Government information on employment trends and outlooks for over 800 occupations. Undergraduate Library holds a CD-ROM version of  this resource, distributed by Gale Research, titled: Discovering Careers & Jobs.  UL CD-ROM 65-10.

 

        E.     Science

 

AccessScience@ McGraw-H.ill: The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology on the Web. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000. [Davis Ref. Electronic Resources – Internet]

 

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Cleveland: Chemical Rubber, 1913-  . Annual. [Davis Ref. QD65 .H3]

 

Tables, charts, measurements and conversions for all areas in chemistry and physics. Ready reference guide; a standard student resource.

 

Environmental Encyclopedia. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1994- . [Davis Ref. GE10 .E57]

 

Science and Technology Encyclopedia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000. [Davis Ref. Q121.S34 2000]

 

Van Nostrand’s Scientific Encyclopedia. 8th ed. 2 vols. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1995. [M/P Ref. Q121.V3 1995]

 

Articles that describe and define terms used in science and technology.  The articles range from very brief statements to long discussions of the topic. Many illustrations, tables, and graphs.

 

        F.     Writing and Stylistics

 

The Chicago Manual of Style. 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993. [Davis Ref. Desk CRZ665.3 .U58c 1993]

 

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Themes and Dissertations. 4th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1995. [Davis Ref. Desk LB2369 .G53 1995]

 

A Guide for Writing Research Papers Based on MLA Documentation - http://cctc.commnet.edu/mla.htm

 

                This site contains practical information about research paper mechanics. Information gathering, outlining, and formatting are covered briefly. Emphasis is on proper MLA citation format for various types of sources, including electronic and online resources

 

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1994. [Davis Ref. Desk. BF76.7 .P83 1994] 2001 edition out, but not in library!

 

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. [Davis Ref. Desk LB2369 .T8 1996]

 

Li, Xia and Nancy B. Crane. Electronic Styles: A Handbook for Citing Electronic Information. Medford, NJ: Information Today, 1996. [Davis Ref. Desk PN171 .F56L5 1996].

 

                Elements of Style – Strunk, William 1918- http://www.bartleby.com/141/

 

The classic on grammar and composition. Check out the list of words and expressions commonly misspelled or misused.

 

Karla’s Guide to Citation Styles -  http://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/journalism/cite.html

 

Nicely annotated page of links to various styles for citing electronic, and other sources - MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian, Lexis-Nexus, legal, etc.

 

 

V.    CONSUMER INFORMATION

 

Consumer Reports Buying Guide. 1936-  . [Davis TX335.AI.C62]

 

This buying guide comes out in December and contains information on consumer goods and services. Arranged in areas.  Includes ratings, products, prices, and index.

 

Consumer Sourcebook. Detroit: Gale Research, 1974- . [Davis Ref. Desk HC110.C63C638]

 

A dictionary of information sources available to consumers.  Contains government organizations, private associations, media services, companies and trades zones, annotated bibliography.  Indexes.

 

 

VI.   LAW AND POLITICS

 

Barone, Michael and Grant Ujifusa.  The Almanac of American Politics, 1994:  The Senators, the Representatives, and the Governors:  Their Records and Election Results, Their States and Districts.  Washington, D.C.: National Journal, 1972-  .  Annual.  [Davis Ref. Desk IOG JK 1012 .A44]

 

            Reviewed in Choice (v. 31, no. 5, p. 747) as being an “outstanding research tool ... concise and informative.”  A good index.

 

Black, Henry C. Black’s Law Dictionary: Definitions of the Terms and Phrases of American and English Jurisprudence, Ancient and Modern. St. Paul, MN: West Pub. Co., 1990. [Davis Ref. KF156 .B53 1990]

 

Martindale-Hubbel Law Directory. Summit, N.J.: Martindale-Hubbell, 1931- . [Law Ref. KF190. M37].

                Also available on the Web: http://www.martindale.com/locator/home.html

 

Shepard’s Acts and Cases by Popular Names: Federal and State ... to January. Colorado Springs, CO: Shepard’s Citations, 1968-  . [Davis Ref. Desk KF90.S52] (Also supplements)

 

Popular name index to federal and state acts and cases that are cited or referred to in other cases or legislation.

 

VII. INDEXES TO CURRENT EVENTS

 

Facts on File, A Weekly World News Digest, with Cumulative Index. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1940-  . Weekly. [Davis Ref. D410 .F3] (DIALOG File 264)  [Available on CD-ROM at UL online access: www.factsonfile.com].

 

Looseleaf service designed to provide instant, objective, newspaper-style capsules of current events occurring within the U.S. (or relating to on an international scale).  Indexed twice monthly; cumulated several times yearly.  Good source of obituaries.  Also 5 year cumulative indexes.

 

Keesing’s Record of World Events. London: Longman Group, Ltd., 1931-  . Monthly; weekly from 1931 to date.  Looseleaf. [Davis Ref. D410.K4].

 

Very similar to Facts on File.  This includes texts of speeches, documents and obituaries and gives the source of the report.