1. Library Map & Virtual Tour
2. Avoiding Impulse Buys
3. Size & Shape of Information
4. Most Bang for Your Buck
5. Trying it on for Size
6. Don't Shoplift!

1.  A preface or introduction.  This describes the content or scope of the source, how to use the source, and editorial decisions that went into determining what to include and what to leave out plus how to arrange or organize the information presented.

2.  Table of Contents.  Found at the beginning of the book, this lists broad categories, subjects, or topics covered in the source. 

3.  List of entries.  The entries make up the bulk of the source.  In a dictionary the list of entries includes all of the words and their definitions.  In an encyclopedia the list of entries includes each article.  The entries comprise the actual information contained in the source.

4.  Indexes.  All reference sources should include at least one index at the back of the source, but not all do.  The index is your point of access to the information contained in the source.  Much more detailed than the table of contents, the index should list every topic covered and gives page numbers for where information on that topic can be located in the source.  You should always use the index when locating information in a reference source.

Other items to look for in a reference source include:

1.  The date of publication.  Depending upon your topic, timeliness might be an issue.  Especially if you are looking up facts and statistics, you want to pay attention to the date of publication.  Most information contained in reference sources, even sources less than a year old, is going to be dated, since it takes time to compile and publish the information.

2.  Arrangement of the entries.  Many reference sources are arranged alphabetically, but not all.  The entries might also be arranged chronologically or topically.

3.  Bibliographies.  Many reference sources include a bibliography at the end of each article or entry that can lead you to additional sources of information on your topic.

4.  Cross references.  Reference sources will often refer you to other topics or areas related to your topic.  These are see also references.  It might be broader or narrower topics or simply related topics.  Sometimes a term you look up might not be used by the source and in that case it might refer you to a term that is used.  This is called a see reference.  For example if you look up "movies" it might say "see motion pictures."