A really great way to start researching a new topic is by reading an overview or in-depth background information.  One of the (many) great things about reference works is that they are written by scholars in the field and often include references to additional relevant secondary and primary sources. They are a great way to begin compiling a preliminary research bibliography.

• General and specialized encyclopedias such as: The Concise Encyclopedia of Modern World Literature, The Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture, and The Feminist Encyclopedia of French Literature.
   
• Note: Print reference sources are (usually) located in the Reference section, on the 1st Floor of the Library. Print and online reference sources are searchable via OneSearch.
   
• Online reference databases such as: Gale eBooks or Oxford Reference.

While the list of titles on this page includes a selection of both contemporary and older reference works, older works may be helpful with historical research, and/or may give you an indication of a particular call number range that could be relevant to your research. (Note: Call numbers allow books to be shelved by subject. So if you find one book about Broadway musicals, browse that section to find additional, related works.)