DEFINITION
Handbooks fit somewhere between and overlap the function of directories (names and addresses) and encyclopedias (definitions, explanations). They are books that are dipped into for bits of information such as numbers, names, and a locations. |
| |
KINDS OF HANDBOOKS
Handbooks can be divided into different kinds: 1.) general, 2.) books of oddities, 3.) series, and 4.) subject. General handbooks give bits of pieces of information not covering a particular subject. Examples of GENERAL HANDBOOKS are almanacs. |
| |
The World Almanac |
Ref/AY/67/.N5/W7/2000 |
| |
Whitaker's Almanack |
Ref/AY/754/.W4/1997 |
| BOOKS OF ODDITIES can be considered as handbooks which give you trivial bits of information. |
| |
Guinness Book of Records |
Ref/AG/243/.G87/1995 |
| |
The Book of Lists |
Ref/AG/106/.B66 |
 |
| Handbooks which are published, edited, or written by the same people are called SERIES because they follow a similar pattern or style. |
 The Oxford Companion Series (a partial listing) |
| |
The Oxford Companion to American History |
Ref/E/174/.J6 |
| |
The Oxford Companion to Art |
Ref/N/33/.O9 |
| |
The Oxford Companion to English Literature |
Ref/PR/19/.D73/1995 |
| |
The Oxford Companion to Film |
Ref/PN/1993.45/.O9 |
| |
The Oxford Companion to Music |
Ref/ML/100/.S37/O9/1970 |
| |
The Oxford Companion to Theatre |
Ref/PN/2035/.O9/1983 |
| |
|
|
| Great Events from History Series (Frank N. Magill, ed.) |
| |
Great Events from History: American Series |
Ref/E/178/.M22 |
| |
Great Events from History: Ancient and Medieval Series |
Ref/D/59/.M26 |
| |
Great Events from History: Modern European Series |
Ref/D/209/.M29 |
| |
|
|
| CRC Handbook Series (a partial listing) |
| |
CRC Handbook of Mathematical Sciences |
Ref/QA/47/.H324 |
| |
CRC Handbook of Tables for Probability and Statistics |
Ref/QA/276.25/.B48/1968 |
| |
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics |
Ref/QD/65/.H3 |
|
| Those dealing with a particular topic are called SUBJECT HANDBOOKS. |
| GOVERNMENT/COUNTRIES |
| |
Washington Information Directory |
Ref/JK/6/.W33 |
| |
The Statesman's Year Book |
Ref/JA/51/.S7 |
| |
Book of the States |
Ref/JK/2403/.B6 |
| |
Europa World Year Book |
Ref/JN/1/.E85 |
| |
An American Legal Almanac |
Ref/KF/387/.R55 |
| |
|
|
| MEDICINE |
| |
American Medical Association Family Medical Guide |
Ref/RC/81/.A543 |
| |
A Barefoot Doctor's Manual |
Ref/RC/82/.H8613 |
| |
The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs |
Ref/RS/51/.E85 |
| |
Oxford Companion to Medicine |
Ref/R/121/.088/1986 |
| |
Listen to Your Body |
Ref/RC/81/.M646/1988 |
| |
Holistic Health Handbook |
Ref/RA/776.5/H71 |
| |
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Sports Medicine |
Ref/RC/1206/.T88/1986 |
| |
Dictionary for Veterinary Science and Biosciences |
Ref/SF/609/.D538/1988 |
| |
The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests |
Ref/RC/71/.P56/1982 |
| |
|
|
| FILMS |
| |
British Film Catalogue; 1895-1985 |
Ref/PN/1998/.G543/1986 |
| |
The Filmgoer's Companion |
Ref/PN/1993.45/.H3/1985 |
| |
Banned Films |
Ref/PN/1994/.A2/D43 |
| |
The Whole Film Sourcebook |
Ref/PN/1993.5/.U6/W47 |
| |
The Illustrated Guide to Film Directors |
Ref/PN/1998/.A2/Q85/1983 |
| |
Blacks in American Films and Television |
Ref/PN/1995.9/.N4/.B58 |
| |
Western Films: A Complete Guide |
Ref/PN/1995.9/.W4/G3 |
| |
|
|
| ELECTRONICS/ENGINEERING |
| |
Electronics Engineers' Reference Book |
Ref/TK/7825/.E36/1989 |
| |
Energy Technology Handbook |
Ref/TJ/163.9/.E54 |
| |
American Electrician's Handbook |
Ref/TK/151/.C8/1981 |
| |
Mechanical Engineer's Handbook |
Ref/TJ/151/.M395/1986 |
| |
|
|
| ORGANIZATIONS |
| |
Encyclopedia of Associations |
Ref/HS/17/.G332 |
| |
Doing Business in Sonoma County |
Ref/KFC/337/.Z9/D64/1984 |
| |
North American Human Rights Directory |
Ref/JC/571/.H76944/1980 |
| |
Trade and Professional Associations in California |
Ref/HD2428/.C3/T73/1989 |
| |
|
|
| COLLEGES |
| |
The College Blue Book |
Ref/LA/226/.C685 |
| |
Higher Education in the European Community |
Ref/LA/628/.H55/1988 |
| |
Peterson's Annual Guides to Graduate Study |
Ref/L/901/.P485 |
| |
Financial Aids for Higher Education |
Ref/LB/2338/.K39/1991 |
|
LOCATION AND USE
To find a handbook on a specific topic, enter the subject heading(s) for your topic in the OPAC and then look for one of the following sub-divisions: 1.) HANDBOOKS, MANUALS, ETC.; 2.) YEARBOOKS; 3.) DIRECTORIES; or 4.) DICTIONARIES & ENCYCLOPEDIAS. A good handbook depends on an index to help you find information. Those which do not have an index will usually be alphabetically arranged with cross references to help you. If there is one, the index is the best place to start when using a handbook. |
| |
|
|
 |
Consult with a Reference librarian for further assistance or for help in locating the information needed.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
