Reference resources such as encyclopedias are good sources for begining your research. They provide important background information about a topic, factual information such as names, numbers, etc. They also contain pointers to journal articles and books for further information on your topic. Print encyclopedias and atlases are located in the Learning Commons (Alden 2nd Floor) Reference collection. A large number of atlases are in this collection as well as on the 5th floor reading room. Electronic reference materials could be accessed through the ALICE Catalog.