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Reference E-books
Can't make it into the library to find the answer to your question? Well, we've purchased books online to answer your questions 24/7 with your library card number. Articles in these online books can be printed, downloaded and emailed. Also check out our quality databases with articles from books and magazines.
Arts & Music
Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 4th ed.
Over 27,000 total entries – from Bing Crosby to Crosby, Stills and Nash; from the Shangri Las to Nirvana; from Bob Marley to Johnny Cash. Larkin has expanded his encyclopedia, which talks about groups and types of music. Not just rock and roll: comprehensive coverage of popular music of all genres and times, including jazz, country, folk, rap, musicals, world music, and more! There is also a song index to find every song mentioned.
Fashion - Costume - and Culture: Clothing - Headwear - Body Decorations - and Footwear through the Ages
Provides a broad overview of costume traditions of diverse cultures from prehistoric times to the present day. Examines more than 430 items of human decoration and adornment, ranging from togas to turbans, necklaces to tennis shoes. Explores how and why items were created, the people who made them, and their uses. This set shows how clothing, headwear, body decorations, and footwear reflect the different cultural, religious, and societal beliefs.
Biography
Dictionary of American Family Names
Where did your surname come from? Do you know how many people in the United States share it? What does it tell you about your lineage? This massive undertaking documents 70,000 surnames of Americans across the country. A reference source like no other, it surveys each surname giving its meaning, nationality, alternate spellings, common forenames associated with it, and the frequency of each surname and forename.
Books & Literature
Celtic Mythology A to Z 2nd ed.
Covers the characters, objects, and places that make up the mythic lore of the Celtic peoples of Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Wales.
Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Beliefs, Customs, Tales, Music and Art
An international team of renowned folklorists contributed to this fascinating, comprehensive reference work. Folklore introduces the major types of folklore and the approaches used to study them, from the anthropological through the linguistic, literary, and psychological.
Shakespeare for Students 2nd ed.
For anyone who is puzzled by the Bard's plays and poems, Shakespeare for Students is the solution! Plot summaries, character profiles, literary criticism, and analysis of themes and imagery are included.
The Novel 100, Rev. ed. : A Ranking of the Greatest Novels of All Time
Provides a reference that profiles great novels drawn from all cultures and periods of literature. Includes a plot summary and assessment of a particular novel, with an emphasis on facts about the novel's creation, critical reception, and contribution to literary history.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
Find comprehensive coverage of children's literature, from medieval chapbooks to J. K. Rowling's immensely popular Harry Potter books. Unlike other references, the Encyclopedia not only documents but also interprets every work, major and minor, that has played a role in the history of children's literature in the world.
UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology
Entry topics include gods and goddesses; heroes and other key characters; motifs and global themes; major myths; and national or cultural mythologies. Coverage spans a diversity of cultures, including standard Greek/Roman entries as well as Native North and South American traditions, Norse mythology, Asian Pacific mythology, Judeo-Christian tradition, and Islamic and Hindu mythologies.
Business & Consumers
Business Plans Handbook
For the new entrepreneur or the established business in search of a better way, the Business Plans Handbook provides a diverse collection of existing documents and resources to help you create your perfect plan.
Encyclopedia of Small Business - 3rd ed.
Voted a best reference source, entrepreneurs can learn more about creating business plans, market analysis and much more.
Careers & College
Career Information Center - 9th ed.
What does it take to get specific jobs? What are the employment outlooks? All this and more about 3,000 occupations.
College Blue Book - 38th ed.
A useful resource for choosing colleges. Search both 2 and 4 year colleges by degrees offered, location and more. It also includes financial aid resources.
Scholarships - Fellowships and Loans - 28th ed.
Written for students, parents and educators, users can explore 8,600 sources of aid for educational expenses.
Countries & Travel
A Global Chronology of Conflict: From the Ancient World to the Modern Middle East
From the heroic stand of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the brutally efficient conquests of Genghis Khan's Mongol hordes, to the rain of arrows at Agincourt and the blood-stained hills around Gettysburg, this compelling work chronicles the history of conflict in all its guts and glory.
Florence & Tuscany
Provides background information on Florence and Tuscany; describes the major sights, and suggests hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities.
Germany
Provides background information on Germany; describes the major sights, and suggests hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities.
Global Road Warrior
From travel planning to school work, Global Road Warrior connects you with information about countries around the world. Explore hotels, customs, history, even recipes.
Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays
Written especially for middle and high school students, the Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia offers a worldwide perspective on major holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and more.
Spain
Provides background information on Spain; describes the architecture, culture and history; explores the highlights of each region of the country and recommends hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities.
The Rough Guide to California
A travel guidebook to California. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Canada
A travel guidebook to Canada. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget
Provides in depth budget information for all seven Central American countries and every aspect of travel, including accommodations, restaurants, special events, festivals, and outdoor activities.
The Rough Guide to China
A travel guidebook to China. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to England
A travel guidebook to England. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to France
A travel guidebook to France. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Hawaii
A travel guidebook to Hawaii. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Ireland
A travel guidebook to Ireland. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Italy
A travel guidebook to Italy. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Japan
A travel guidebook to Japan. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Las Vegas
A travel guidebook to Las Vegas. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Mexico
A travel guidebook to Mexico. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to New York City
A travel guidebook to New York City. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Scotland
A travel guidebook to Scotland. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
The Rough Guide to Turkey
A travel guidebook to Turkey. Recommends accommodations, restaurants and attractions for various budgets.
Walt Disney World® Resort & Orlando
Provides background information on Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando; describes the major sights, and suggests hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities.
Washington, D.C.
Provides background information on Washington, D.C.; describes the architecture, the culture and history, and recommends hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations 12th ed.
Learn more about the history, governments and cultures of 193 countries around the world.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the States 7th ed.
Discover facts on all 50 states, from history to geography to the state seal and more.
Education
Career Information Center - 9th ed.
What does it take to get specific jobs? What are the employment outlooks? All this and more about 3,000 occupations.
College Blue Book - 38th ed.
A useful resource for choosing colleges. Search both 2 and 4 year colleges by degrees offered, location and more. It also includes financial aid resources.
Scholarships - Fellowships and Loans - 28th ed.
Written for students, parents and educators, users can explore 8,600 sources of aid for educational expenses.
Genealogy
Dictionary of American Family Names
Where did your surname come from? Do you know how many people in the United States share it? What does it tell you about your lineage? This massive undertaking documents 70,000 surnames of Americans across the country. A reference source like no other, it surveys each surname giving its meaning, nationality, alternate spellings, common forenames associated with it, and the frequency of each surname and forename.
Health & Medicine
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Sourcebook 2nd ed.
Provides updated information about the specific types of autism spectrum disorders. It explains symptoms, assessment, and diagnosis of ASD and describes the importance of early interventions.
Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol & Addictive Behavior - 3rd ed.
The editors address social, medical, legal, and political issues related to substance use and addictive behavior.
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine - 4rd ed.
Covering 1,700 medical topics, articles are written for users without medical backgrounds. Disease/disorder articles cover descriptions, causes, treatment and more.
Salem Health
Salem Health is an online interface to all the content you will find in Magill's Medical Guide, Salem Health: Psychology & Mental Health, and Salem Health: Genetics & Inherited Conditions.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health : Infancy through Adolescence 2nd ed.
Provides in-depth coverage of pediatric diseases and disorders, with issues related to physical and cognitive and behavioral development. Covers every major body system. There is a distinct emphasis on health issues affecting children under the age of four.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery and Medical Tests 2nd ed.
Provides coverage of numerous surgical procedures, medical tests and related topics, such as anesthetics, common lab test and procedures, medications and postoperative care. Entries for medical test and surgical include definition; purpose; demographic information; diagnosis/preparation; aftercare; risks; morbidity and mortality rates; alternatives; and more.
History–American
American Civil War Reference Library
American Civil War Reference Library offers comprehensive and wide ranging research options on this compelling era of American history. Material in each of the three titles has been reviewed by an independent advisory board for its curriculum relevance and its accessibility to students in grades 6-12.
American Decades
Exploring the 20th century from history to politics to pop culture to sports and more, every decade shares its important and trivial events.
American Eras
A student-friendly reference source that details American history from the earliest native civilizations to the last years of the nineteenth century. Discover the people, places, and events that shaped our country and our culture. A companion to our e-book American Decades.
Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History - 2nd ed.
A five-volume set and supplement covering all aspects of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Using biographies, historical essays, and thematic pieces, many written by foremost scholars, it addresses a wide array of subjects in over 2,300 articles to define in one source the cultural roots, participation in American life, and current condition of the African-American community..
UXL Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes
A detailed study of 88 tribes from the United States and Canada, including some small tribes that no longer exist. Supported by maps and source documents, the Encyclopedia examines the history, culture, and literature of each tribe, providing students with an invaluable resource for research and projects.
UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History
From the colonization of America to the War in Iraq, important events and individuals from American history are explored.
Witchcraft in America
A good resource for papers on the witch hunts of Colonial times and the occult in American history.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the States 7th ed.
Discover facts on all 50 states, from history to geography to the state seal and more.
History–World
A Global Chronology of Conflict: From the Ancient World to the Modern Middle East
From the heroic stand of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the brutally efficient conquests of Genghis Khan's Mongol hordes, to the rain of arrows at Agincourt and the blood-stained hills around Gettysburg, this compelling work chronicles the history of conflict in all its guts and glory.
Ancient Civilizations Reference Library
The ancient peoples of Europe, Asia, and the Americas are the focus of this remarkable resource. Essays, timelines, maps, and more outline the histories of the Celts, Egyptians, Hebrews, and more.
Ancient Greece and Rome: an Encyclopedia for Students
With over 460 articles, this expansive encyclopedia offers a window into all aspects of Greek and Roman life, from politics and philosophy to art and architecture and more.
Elizabethan World Reference Library
Encounter the whole spectrum of Elizabethan life! Learn more about the queen and Shakespeare, and uncover the facts behind rural society and religious conflict in an age of great achievement and change.
Fashion - Costume - and Culture: Clothing - Headwear - Body Decorations - and Footwear through the Ages
Provides a broad overview of costume traditions of diverse cultures from prehistoric times to the present day. Examines more than 430 items of human decoration and adornment, ranging from togas to turbans, necklaces to tennis shoes. Explores how and why items were created, the people who made them, and their uses. This set shows how clothing, headwear, body decorations, and footwear reflect the different cultural, religious, and societal beliefs.
Learning About the Holocaust: A Student's Guide
Offers articles written at the 9th and 10th grade reading levels; includes diary entries and stories about young people who lived during the Holocaust.
Middle Ages Reference Library
How did the Sunni Shiite split in medieval times bring about modern tensions between Iran and Iraq? Middle Ages Reference Library helps students answer this question and many other enigmas by encouraging them to see how events and ideas are linked.
Pirates Through the Ages Reference Library
Explores the history of piracy from ancient times to the present day. Topics include piracy in antiquity and the Middle Ages, the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean, female pirates, the pirate code of conduct and pirate slang, strongholds and hideouts, ships, weaponry, and sea battles, pirates in literature and film, and modern maritime piracy.
Salem History
Salem History is an online interface to all the content you will find in Great Lives from History: The 17th Century , Great Lives from History: The 18th Century , Great Events from History: The 17th Century , and Great Events from History: The 18th Century.
The Oxford Companion to World Exploration
Covering all aspects of global exploration, from Antarctica to the North Pole, it examines the lives and expeditions of heroic and influential explorers. It covers navigational and marine sciences, such as navigational techniques, ancient and medieval navigation, ocean currents and winds, longitude, cartography, and aerial surveys. The Companion's temporal scope ranges from the ancient cultures of Egypt, Persia, Greece, Byzantium, China, Polynesia, and Rome, through to modern space exploration.
World Eras - Volume 10: West African Kingdoms - 500-1590
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of West African kingdoms, 500-1590.
World Eras - Volume 1: European Renaissance and Reformation - 1350-1600
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of the European Renaissance and Reformation, 1350-1600.
World Eras - Volume 2: Rise and Spread of Islam - 622-1500
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of the rise and spread of Islam, 622-1500.
World Eras - Volume 3: Roman Republic and Empire - 264 B.C.E.- 476 C.E.
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of the Roman Republic and Empire, 264 B.C.E.-476 C.E.
World Eras - Volume 4: Medieval Europe - 814-1350
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of medieval Europe, 814-1350.
World Eras - Volume 5: Ancient Egypt - 2615 - 332 B.C.E.
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of ancient Egypt, 2615-332 B.C.E.
World Eras - Volume 6: Classical Greek Civilization - 800-323 B.C.E
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of classical Greek civilization, 800-323 B.C.E.
World Eras - Volume 7: Imperial China - 617-1644
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of imperial China, 617-1644.
World Eras - Volume 8: Ancient Mesopotamia - 3300-331 B.C.E.
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of ancient Mesopotamia, 3300-331 B.C.E.
World Eras - Volume 9: Industrial Revolution in Europe - 1750-1914
Examines major civilizations that have flourished from antiquity to modern times, with a global perspective and a strong emphasis on daily life and social history. This volume provides in-depth coverage of the Industrial Revolution in Europe, 1750-1914.
Kids
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature
Find comprehensive coverage of children's literature, from medieval chapbooks to J. K. Rowling's immensely popular Harry Potter books. Unlike other references, the Encyclopedia not only documents but also interprets every work, major and minor, that has played a role in the history of children's literature in the world.
Law & Government
Checks and Balances: The Three Branches of the American Government
Presents easy to understand information about the inner workings of the federal government. Includes historical overviews and examinations of the day-to-day operations of each branch, as well as Constitutional duties and obligations of each branch, specifics related to eligibility, elections and appointments of key positions, changes since 1776, the future of each branch, and other topics. For student and general audiences.
Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law - 2nd ed.
Geared toward the non-lawyer, users will find historical articles and practical information on law in everyday life.
Supreme Court Drama: Cases That Changed America
Profiles major U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have made a significant impact on American society. Each volume is organized by broad legal principles such as individual liberties, criminal justice, equal protection, and business and government law. Within this framework, case entries are arranged under the more specific legal issue to which they relate, such as affirmative action, capital punishment, freedom of speech, and monopolies.
Multicultural Studies
Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History - 2nd ed.
A five-volume set and supplement covering all aspects of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Using biographies, historical essays, and thematic pieces, many written by foremost scholars, it addresses a wide array of subjects in over 2,300 articles to define in one source the cultural roots, participation in American life, and current condition of the African-American community..
Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Beliefs, Customs, Tales, Music and Art
An international team of renowned folklorists contributed to this fascinating, comprehensive reference work. Folklore introduces the major types of folklore and the approaches used to study them, from the anthropological through the linguistic, literary, and psychological.
UXL Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes
A detailed study of 88 tribes from the United States and Canada, including some small tribes that no longer exist. Supported by maps and source documents, the Encyclopedia examines the history, culture, and literature of each tribe, providing students with an invaluable resource for research and projects.
Religion
Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Encyclopedia is the definitive account of what we know about the Dead Sea Scrolls--their history, relevance, meaning, and the controversies that surround them. Discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd, the collection of 800 manuscripts is older than any other collection of manuscripts of the Hebrew Scriptures by almost one thousand years.
Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Beliefs, Customs, Tales, Music and Art
An international team of renowned folklorists contributed to this fascinating, comprehensive reference work. Folklore introduces the major types of folklore and the approaches used to study them, from the anthropological through the linguistic, literary, and psychological.
Introduction to the World's Major Religions: Judaism, Volume 1
This offers an accurate, enjoyable introduction to the Jewish faith, people, and practices in a global context.
Science
Chemical Elements 2nd edition
Designed specifically for students, this collection includes the history and uses of 112 known chemical elements, as well as information on recently-discovered elements. A perfect resource for your research paper.
Gadgets and Necessities: An Encyclopedia of Household Innovations
This comprehensive encyclopedia covers innovations and objects, inventors, organizations, institutions, manufacturers, and themes. Taking the average home of today as a starting point, the volume covers the household objects and technologies that did not exist in homes before 1900.
Grzimek's Student Animal Life Resource
The famous 20-volume set is available on your home computer with this digital resource. Explore major classifications of animals, view species by biome or geographic range, and more.
Mathematics
Explains mathematical concepts with an historical overview of the field. Explores the uses and effects of math in daily life, and provides information on different career choices in this field. For academic readers.
Salem Science
Salem Science is an online interface to all the content you will find in The Solar System.
The Basics of Chemistry
This book covers the basic concepts found in introductory high-school and college chemistry courses.
The Basics of Physics
An excellent introduction to the basics of physics from antiquity to the modern era, including motion, work, energy, heat, matter, light, electricity, quantum & nuclear physics.
Travel
Global Road Warrior
From travel planning to school work, Global Road Warrior connects you with information about countries around the world. Explore hotels, customs, history, even recipes.
The Unexplained
Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained
This online 3-vol. set is written at a level that younger students and researchers can understand.
Witchcraft in America
A good resource for papers on the witch hunts of Colonial times and the occult in American history.