Some basic reference works such as atlases, almanacs, and dictionaries of different languages are shelved in the Manuscript Unit. There are also many useful works available in the reference rooms of the Beinecke and Sterling.

All of the reference works in the reading room and lobby of the Beinecke have been cataloged in Orbis. Octavo reference works with the exception of "Z" call numbers are in the reading room. The reference works on the shelves in the lobby are "Z" call numbers and oversize. In addition, there is an area known as stack reference, located in stack area 1 on our level, where less frequently used reference works are shelved. These, too, are cataloged in Orbis.

We also need to make use of Sterling's reference room holdings for many general works. We do have the option to expand our reference holdings as "urgent" needs are identified, but keep in mind that those books we do purchase are paid for by the general Beinecke book fund.

The Yale Library Gazette (Bein, ref Z733 Y18 A4) will often be helpful when seeking information on collections and donors. An index to the Gazette is located on the "j" drive at j:\brblinfo\allgaz.ind and can be read using Edix. The command Edix j:\brblinfo\allgaz.ind will pull up the file in Edix from your "c:\" prompt.

B. GENERAL WORKS

B.1. Bibliographies

Historical Biographical Dictionaries Master Index (LC L5305.U5)

Index Bio-Bibliographicum Notorum Hominum Slocum

B.2. Biographical Dictionaries and Related Works

These are only a small number of the possible sources for biographical data. There is a source of data for almost every profession. If in doubt, check with the reference staff.

B.2.a) American

American Men of Science

Biographical Index

Contemporary Authors

Contemporary Poets

Current Biography

Dictionary of American Biography

Dictionary of American Scholars

The Encyclopedia of American Journalism by Donald Paneth

Historical Register of Yale University

National Cyclopedia of American Biography

New York Times Obituary Index

Notable American Women

Oxford Companion to American Literature

Twentieth Century Authors

U. S. Congress. Biographical Directory of American Congress

Webster's American Biographies

Who Was Who in America

Who's Who in America

Who's Who of American Women

B.2.b) European

Burke's Landed Gentry (Peerage)

Dictionnaire de biographie francaise (A-H only)

Dictionary of National Biography

Nouvelle biographie generale

Who Was Who

Who's Who

B.3. Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

These provide a convenient overview of a period, person, place, or event.

The Columbia Encyclopedia

Langer, W. L. Encyclopedia of World History

Lippincott's New Gazetteer. A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer or Geographical Dictionary of the World, edited by Angelo Heilprin and Louis Heilprin, 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1906 Bein, ref G103 +L56 1906

C. AMERICANA

C.1. General

Dictionary of American Biography, edited by Allen Johnson. New York, Scribner, [1961] Bein, ref E176 D5 1961

Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography , edited by James Grant Wilson and John Fiske, 6 vols. New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1887-1889 Bein, ref E176 A66 +L56 1962

C.2. Western Americana

California Gold Camps: A Geographical and Historical Dictionary of Camps, Towns, and Localities Where Gold Was Found and Mined; Wayside Stations and Trading Centers , by Erwin G. Gudde; edited by Elisabeth K. Gudde. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1975 SML F865 G82 1975 (LC)

California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names , by Erwin G. Gudde. Berkeley, University of California Press 2nd edition, 1960, Bein, ref F859 G8 1960 3rd edition, 1969, SML F859 G8 1969 (LC)

D. ARCHIVAL AND LIBRARY LITERATURE

Brichford, Maynard J. Archives and Manuscripts: Appraisal and Accessioning (1977) SAA Basic Manual Series

Densmore, Christopher. "Understanding and Using Early Nineteenth Century Account Books." The Midwestern Archivist. Vol. 5, No. 1 (1980): 6-19

Gracy, David B., II. Archives and Manuscripts: Arrangement and Description (1977) SAA Basic Manual Series

Hensen, Steven, ed. Archives, Personal Papers, and Manuscripts , 2nd edition (1989)

Meissner, Dennis. "The Evaluation of Modern Business Accounting Records." The Midwestern Archivist. Vol. 5, No. 2 (1981): 77-99

Miller, Frederic M. Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts (1990) SAA Archival Fundamentals Series