Start your research using reference sources like subject encyclopedias to find a topic, narrow your topic, find keywords, and get background information. A focused topic is easier to research!
Print Reference Sources
Electronic Reference Sources
These databases are only available at the College of DuPage or from off-campus with a valid C.O.D. Library card.
Credo Reference
One-stop shopping for reference. Credo features hundreds of full-text reference books that you can search simultaneously. The collection includes dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, quotations and atlases, plus a wide range of subject-specific titles covering everything from art to accountancy, science to Shakespeare and law to literature.
Discovering Collection
Comprised of several Discovering Program titles such as Discovering Authors, U.S. History, Science and Biography, and the entire contents of the Junior Reference Collection. Thousands of overview essays, critical analyses, biographies, timelines and multimedia elements in five core subject areas: history, literature, biography, science and social studies.
Encyclopedia Britannica
The Online version of the classic Encyclopedia Britannica that also includes web links, select articles and access to Webster's Dictionary.
Gale Virtual Reference Library
GVRL is a collection of online reference books on a variety of topics including Business, History, Literature, Medicine, Social Science, Technology and many more.
World Almanac
Four almanacs in one, plus a free encyclopedia!
Includes the full text of all of the Almanac titles: The World Almanac and Book of Facts, providing key facts on a wide variety of subjects internationally; The World Almanac of the U.S.A. with essential facts about the United States-- current and historical; The World Almanac of US Politics, a guidebook to federal, state, and local governments; The World Almanac for Kids, covering information and facts of interest to middle-school children and teachers; and the Funk & Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, a comprehensive general encyclopedia