1. LIB 640 Information Sources and Services
Summer 2012
Ready Reference
Just the facts, ma’am!

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What is “ready reference”?
ready reference
• A reference question that can be answered by a
reference librarian in one or two minutes by
providing a fact or piece of information found in a
single source.
• Also refers to the reference materials used most
often in answering such questions, shelved for
convenience in a separate location near the
reference desk rather than in the reference stacks
(Books in Print, Encyclopedia of Associations,
Statistical Abstract of the U.S., world almanacs, city
directories, Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, etc.).
• Some libraries also provide online ready reference
resources via their Web pages.

3. It is QUICK; it is IMMEDIATE; it is FUN!!
http://esuli813.pbworks.com/w/page/24508825/Ready%20Reference

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Types of ready reference questions
http://esuli813.pbworks.com/w/page/24508825/Ready%20Reference
Copyright 2009

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More ready reference question types
http://esuli813.pbworks.com/w/page/24508825/Ready%20Reference

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Types of ready reference sources
1. Directories
• A list of people, companies, institutions,
organizations, etc., in alphabetical or
classified order, providing contact
information (names, addresses, phone/fax
numbers, etc.) and other pertinent details
(affiliations, conferences, publications,
membership, etc.) in brief format, often
published serially (example: American
Library Directory).
• ODLIS directory

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A useful, though not free directory
Encyclopedia of Associations
• The only comprehensive source for detailed
information on nonprofit American
membership organizations of national
scope.
• Part of Gale/Cengage Learning’s
Associations Unlimited series that covers
both international and state
and regionsl Associations.
• Also available online

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A free directory of associations
http://www.asaecenter.org/Community/Directories/associationsearch.cfm

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Telephone directories online

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Types of ready reference sources
2. Yearbooks
• An annual documentary, historical, or
memorial compendium of facts,
photographs, statistics, etc., about the
events of the preceding year, often limited
to a specific country, institution, discipline,
or subject (example: Supreme Court
Yearbook published by Congressional
Quarterly). Optional yearbooks are
offered by some publishers of general
encyclopedias.
• ODLIS: yearbook

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Example of an encyclopedia yearbook
World Book Year Book
• The World Book Year Book is a
496-page record of the year, covering
current events and national and
international news. Lavishly illustrated, the Year
Book includes more than 400 articles that update
such topics as economics, politics, international
affairs, medicine and health care, the arts, sports,
fashion, and important or interesting trends of the
day. Facts in Brief tables covering the countries of
the world record current populations, national
leaders, monetary units (and the U.S. dollar
equivalents), and import and export statistics.

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Types of ready reference sources
3. Almanacs
• Originally, a book introduced by the Moors to
Spain, listing the days, weeks, and months of the
year and providing information about festivals,
holidays, astronomical phenomena, etc. In modern
usage, an annual compendium of practical dates,
facts, and statistics, current and/or retrospective,
often arranged in tables to facilitate comparison.
Almanacs can be general (example: World Almanac
and Book of Facts) or related to a specific subject or
academic discipline (Almanac of American Politics).
Information Please is an example of a modern
online almanac. Also spelled almanack.
• ODLIS: almanac

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Oldest continuously published
almanac in the US

• Since 1792, The Old Farmer’s
Almanac has spoken to all walks
of life: tide tables for those who
live near the ocean; sunrise and
planting charts for those who live
on the farm; recipes for those who
live in the kitchen; and forecasts
for those who don't like the
question of weather left up in the
air.
• About Us

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A modern almanac

• Since its debut in 1868,
The World Almanac and
Book of Facts has become
the best-selling American
reference book of all time,
with more than 82 million
copies sold.
• The World Almanac® for
Kids is the best-selling
reference book for kids,
with more than 3.5 million
copies sold.

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A Kentucky equivalent

• Featuring over 300 new photographs and more
than half of the pages with new or updated
material! With 784 pages of fascinating facts,
stories, statistics, demographics,
sports, and Kentucky history, this Second Edition
is a “must have” for almanac
enthusiasts and book
lovers everywhere.
• http://www.kyalmanac.com/
Revives a tradition that began in
Lexington in 1787 and ceased in
1856.

16. A yearbook or an almanac—or maybe a 16
manual?

• The first edition of The Statesman's Yearbook was inspired by the historian
and essayist Thomas Carlyle. His proposal was enthusiastically supported by
William Gladstone. Their vision for the book was an authoritative and
accessible volume containing information essential for diplomats, politicians
and all those involved with international affairs. It quickly gained recognition
as an indispensable reference tool and has been published annually since 1864.
• Today, international affairs concern every one of
us and the scope of The Statesman's Yearbook
has become correspondingly broader, with
expanded coverage of history, politics, economics,
trade and infrastructure for each country, all
thoroughly researched and verified by a dedicated
editorial team.
• http://www.statesmansyearbook.com/

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Another, similar type of source

• The World Factbook provides information
on the history, people, government,
economy, geography, communications,
transportation, military, and transnational
issues for 267 world entities. Our
Reference tab includes: maps of the major
world regions, as well as Flags of the
World, a Physical Map of the World, a
Political Map of the World, and a
Standard Time Zones of the World map.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

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Types of ready reference sources
5. Handbooks and manuals
• A single-volume reference book of compact
size that provides concise factual
information on a specific subject,
organized systematically for quick and
easy access. Statistical information is often
published in handbook form (example:
Statistical Handbook on the American
Family). Some handbooks are published
serially (CRC Handbook of Chemistry and
Physics). Synonymous with vade mecum.
See also: companion and manual.
• ODLIS handbook

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A Handbook for school librarians
The Whole School Library
Handbook 2
• This new edition of an ALA bestseller
remains an indispensable all-in-one
resource for everything related to the
school library media center. Articles from
dozens of respected authors and experts,
culled from popular journals such as
Knowledge Quest and School Library
Journal, cover everything of interest to
the contemporary school librarian.
• Woolls, Blanche and Loertscher, David V.
(Eds). This title will be available Fall
2012.

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Statistical handbooks
Statistical Abstract
• What is the Statistical Abstract?
• The Statistical Abstract of the United States,
published since 1878, is the authoritative and
comprehensive summary of statistics on the social,
political, and economic organization of the United
States.
• Use the Abstract as a convenient volume for statistical
reference, and as a guide to sources of more
information both in print and on the Web.
• Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and
many other Federal agencies and private
organizations.
• The 2012 Statistical Abstract
• The National Data Book

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Another source for statistics

• What We Provide - Learn about the data
available in American FactFinder

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Types of Ready Reference sources
6. Calendars
• A tabular register of the days in a
year, usually arranged by month and
within each month by week,
sometimes indicating the dates of
important events such as national and
religious holidays. To learn about the
history of calendars, see Calendars
through the Ages. Also, an almanac
listing days of the year significant to a
particular culture or political entity.
• ODLIS calendar

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The most famous, if pricey, calendar
Chase’s Calendar of Events
• Find out what's going on any day of the year,
anywhere across the globe! Chase’s Calendar of
Events is the most comprehensive and
authoritative reference available on special
events, worldwide holidays and festivals, civic
observances, historic anniversaries, famous
birthdays and much more.
• Chase’s Calendar of Events today is the most
comprehensive and authoritative reference
available on special events, holidays, federal
and state observances, historic anniversaries
and more.

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Online time and date information

• Time and Date AS (AS - "Aksjeselskap") is a
private, limited liability company owned by Steffen
Thorsen. The company is based near Stavanger,
Norway.
• The company gives people free time and date related
information and services via timeanddate.com. The
site includes:
• the World Clock
• Calendars
• the Meeting Planner
• Time Zone News

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Another calendar site

• Comprehensive categorized calendar
catalog currently containing countless
correlating connections & calzone recipes!
• Calendar Quotes & Poetry
• Calzone Recipes
• Century Prayer