Reference sources can be used to familiarize yourself with the main concepts and perspectives within a field, including theory, key figures, and more, to provide background information and context to your work. 

The following books are online - visit Library Rm. 123 for print reference materials. Most sociology books are found in the HM - HX call number ranges; browse the Library of Congress call number outline for specific sociology subfields. 

You can also find reference books of different aspects of sociology by searching in Library Search for the subject with a subheading, e.g.:

• Educational sociology--Encyclopedias
• [Subject]--Dictionaries
• [Subject]--Handbooks, manuals, etc.