Find Reference Resources

A Great Place to Start A Project

Reference Sources

Reference sources are the basic, essential tools of research. Use reference sources to find a good introduction to a topic or concept, check facts or rules, get the definition of a word, a short biography of a person, get geographic information, or locate additional sources for your work.

Common Types of Reference Sources

Types of reference materials

Encyclopedias

Biographical Dictionaries

Dictionaries

Chronologies

Thesauri

Atlases, Maps, and Gazetteers

Almanacs, Yearbooks, and Collected Statistics

Directories

Handbooks and Manuals

Bibliographies

Print Reference Collections

In each of our libraries, you'll find reference books on a wide variety of topics. The libraries maintain a core collection of print reference works in each library. Librarians and staff will be happy to help you to find what you need.

All Topics

Online Reference Resources

In addition to our print reference collections, the libraries provide access to online reference tools in all subject areas taught at Atlantic Cape.

**Reference Sources for All Topics**
On Campus	Off Campus
Britannica Academic Edition This tool combines the highly respected Encyclopedia Britannica with Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Britannica is a general encyclopedia, containing introductory essays on all areas of knowledge, written by acknowledged experts. This edition also includes a world atlas, with maps and statistics, as well as a selection of articles from current news sources.
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia This general encyclopedia contains articles that are easy to read, but lack the depth of the Britannica articles.
Referencia Latina A collection of Spanish-language sources, primarily introductory reference books, but also including a variety of popular magazines and a few scholarly journals.
Oxford English Dictionary This classic reference work traces the history and etymology of words and phrases in the English Language.
Credo Reference Collection This collection contains an extensive collection of subject encyclopedias, as well as a selection of handbooks, dictionaries, and other reference tools, including image collections. An excellent place to find background information for starting a research project.
Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) This collection includes a selection of subject encyclopedias and other introductory sources, including some valuable core reference titles.
Salem Press A small but valuable collection of resources. At this time, the collection includes resources for history, health and medicine, and science.

**Online Reference Sources on Controversial Issues**
On Campus	Off Campus
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center This resource provides a multifaceted collection of opinion essays on many controversial topics. For best results, use the Browse Topics feature. Critical thinking required!
Points of View This tool is very similar to Opposing Viewpoints, but the topic list is slightly different.

Funding Resources

Nonprofit Resource Center

The Nonprofit Resource Center, normally located in the Mullock Family Library, on the Cape May County Campus, will operate online during the Spring 2021 semester.

Foundation Directory Online

Trying to search for grants from home? You can access Candid’s Foundation Directory Online through Atlantic Cape Community College's subscription. The Foundation Directory Online is a suite of tools that can be used to identify funding sources for nonprofit organizations. Also included is the Grants to Individuals database, which identifies organizations that fund scholarships and creative or entrepreneurial projects. Through the generosity of Candid (formerly the Foundation Center), we are able to continue offering off-campus access to this tool into 2021.

The library can also assist you with funding searches directly. Contact us for help by emailing FIN@atlantic.edu.

Specific Subject Areas

Online Reference Sources

**Online Reference Sources for Literature Research**
On Campus	Off Campus
Literary Reference Center A good place to start research on any literature-related topic.

**Online Reference Sources for Legal Research**
On Campus	Off Campus
Legal Information Reference Center A basic collection of legal reference sources.

**Online Reference Sources for Business Research**
On Campus	Off Campus
Small Business Reference Center This collection contains many tools to help aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
referenceUSA This resource is a directory of businesses around the United States. It contains basic information about each company listed.	See instructions below.

Access to referenceUSA

Authentication for referenceUSA is different from our other databases. It is not necessary to log into Atlantic Cape's proxy server to get access to referenceUSA. The login process is the same, whether you are on campus or off.

To get started, click on the link to referenceUSA. You will be prompted to accept their terms and conditions. You must do this in order to use the database.

referenceUSA uses a GIS program to authenticate users. When you agree to the terms and conditions, you will be asked to allow the program to access your location. If you are located in New Jersey, and do not object, select 'Allow location access.'

If you are outside NJ, or if you prefer not to allow access, select 'Don't allow.' You will be prompted for your library card number. This is the 14-digit barcode printed on the face of your Atlantic Cape ID card. You must register your card with the libraries for this to work.

You can also use the barcode for your NJ public library to log into referenceUSA.

Many additional online reference sources can be found in the Ebsco E-book Collections.