It is helpful to begin your research with reference sources. Reference sources serve many purposes. They provide overviews of broad topics, which may help you figure out what area of this large topic really interests you. Need to check some facts? Reference sources can help you confirm dates, names, locations, etc. Reference sources serve an additional purpose - they help you develop a list of keywords that will be helpful in database searching.
The Mt. SAC Library purchases reference books on a wide variety of topics. Librarians can help you find a reference book appropriate to most topics. Please stop by the reference desk to get our assistance.
A small sample of reference books follows:
Reference databases can also help you explore your topics. Reference sources:
*Note that off-campus use of databases is restricted to Mt. SAC students, faculty, and staff and requires login.
