REFERENCE COLLECTION ENCYCLOPEDIAS provide an overview and summary of a subject and often include bibliographies for further reading. These are very useful tools for an understanding of the many aspects of a subject and to get you started. GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS The Canadian Encyclopedia REF 971.003 CAN
World Book Advanced Online Encyclopaedia Britannica Extensive articles with research expanding links to many other sources SUBJECT ENCYCLOPEDIAS Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures & Daily Life REF 305.8 1998 WOR vols. 1-4 DICTIONARIES provide details about words: meanings, spelling, pronunciation, etc. Some of the Library's General Dictionaries include Oxford, Random House and Merriams Webster's. Dictionaries are shelved under the call number REF 423. Some dictionaries may be borrowed from the general collection. Specialized Dictionaries cover aspects of language or terms related to a subject. What does "RCMP" stand for? What does "biche" mean? Oxford English Dictionary Online For assistance contact the Public Services Librarian. ALMANACS contain useful facts and statistics. What was the average family income for Albertans in 1994? Who wrote Canada's national anthem? What is the population of China? Canadian Almanac & Directory REF 971.0025 CAN 2004 Scott's Canadian Source Book REF 971.0025 SCO 2004 DIRECTORIES A telephone book is a type of directory. Some examples of specialized directories: Directory of Programs for Families with Young Children 027.625 DIR 1994 First Nations Tribal Directory REF 970.1025 FIR BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARIES are an excellent starting point for researching the lives of famous people. Canadian Who's Who REF 920.071 2004 CAN Dictionary of Canadian Biography REF 920.071 DIC GENERAL COLLECTION e-library & Library of Congress Subject Headings To find books that you need in the Portage College Library you will have to use the e-library. Some sample headings you can perform a search on in the e-library: Biology The Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification System to group books and videos together by subject on the library shelves. The call number on the e-library corresponds to the number on the label on the spine of the book (e.g. 155.4 BEE). Examples Cosmopolitan ELECTRONIC DATABASES Canada in Context provides students with the tools and information necessary to complement classroom lessons and assignments and attach context to their learning. Content includes biographies, essays, full-text magazines, glossaries, historical overviews, photographs, audio files and much more.
Reference materials are an excellent starting point for acquiring a broad overview of your topic. They are reserved for in-library use only. Depending on your topic, you may want to consult the following tools:
-Also available from LearnAlberta.ca's "Online Reference Centre."
Research tools, biographies, 1000s of articles with videos, pictures & illustrations
Man, Myth and Magic: the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown REF 133 MAN
Try Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary REF 423.1 ACR
Use The Collins Robert French English /English French Dictionary REF 443.21 COL
The e-library is the Library's computerized catalogue. It is the listing of books, videos, and journals available in the Library. You can locate material on specific topics by performing a Subject Heading search. Portage College Library uses Library of Congress Subject Headings.
If you need some help to find out how the e-library works, ask library staff to assist you.
Chemistry
English language
Mathematics
Physics
Public speaking
Report writing
Resumes (employment)
Social sciences
Study skills
300 - Social studies
371 - Study skills
428 - Grammar
500 - Sciences
650.14 - Resumes/Cover letters
808 - Writing, Technical skills
PERIODICALS: MAGAZINES, JOURNALS, NEWSPAPERS
Periodicals are published at regular intervals, generally more frequently than annually. Each issue is numbered and/or dated consecutively, and normally contains separate articles, stories, or other writings. Scanning current issues of periodicals in your subject area can be useful when you are trying to think of a topic.
Canadian Home Workshop
Good Housekeeping
Parents
Sports Illustrated
Alberta Sweet Grass
The Edmonton Journal
The Globe & Mail
Lac La Biche Post
National Post
An electronic database is used to find articles in magazines, journals and newspapers. Portage Library subscribes to a number of Web-based electronic databases. The databases that you will find useful for your studies are:
Global Issues in Context offers global perspectives on issues of international importance and current world events and topics in the news related to these issues.
MasterFILE Premier Access to databases is restricted to the Portage College students, faculty and staff WEB SITES Essential Skills Online Learning Tool is an innovative way to learn more about the complexity levels of Essential Skills. Various Authentic Workplace Materials are used to help demonstrate the differences between each level of the nine Essential Skills. Document Use, Numeracy, Writing, Working with Others, Thinking Skills, Computer Use and Continuous Learning are now available. Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation eNature Job Futures Math2.org Mathworld Project Gutenberg Canadian Poetry and Poets Canadian Information by Subject - National Library of Canada
Covering virtually every subject area of general interest, MasterFILE Premier also includes nearly 500 full text reference books, biographies, primary source documents, and an Image Collection of photos, maps and flags. This database is updated daily.
The Internet is a rich source of material. The sites listed here are just a starting point. If you are looking for a specific topic, try typing keywords into one of the basic search tools such as Yahoo, AltaVista, Google, etc.
Grammar and punctuation guide. Includes examples and mini-quizzes in an easy to use format.
Derived from the Audubon Field Guide Books. Includes color photos of plants, animals, birds, shells, etc. as well as narrative.
Full text of Government of Canada publication that describes the current and future job prospects for a variety of occupations. Updated annually.
Contains math reference tables covering algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Includes over 10,000 entries, animated graphics and more. A free service for the mathematical community provided by Wolfram Research with additional support from the National Science Foundation.
Full text of many classic books.
Poetry, biographies, and bibliographies of more than seventy Canadian poets. Also provides information about literary events and awards, Canadian poetry journals and magazines, other poetry sites, and other related resources.
