IDS 101: The Great American Road Trip: Reference Materials

Wikipedia is a great resource for getting general info about something, but because anyone can contribute or change its content it is considered unreliable.  College faculty typically do not consider Wikipedia a credible information source. 

Instead, use the library's print or electronic encyclopedias, dictionaries, or other reference books to backup the basic information of your research paper. These resources have gone through an editorial process to check for accuracy. To the right and below are some resources that may be of use.

Below are key reference books that provide a general overview of a topic or help identify synonyms, related terms, or basic data. These sources often include references and lists of further readings.

Subject librarians are here to help with your research!

Each librarian specializes in specific subjects or fields of study. You can set up an individual research consultation with a librarian for research help.

Here are a few other things that we can do for you:

• Show you the best places to begin your research.
• Help you develop effective search strategies.
• Locate the information you need within our library.
• Obtain books, articles, cds, etc. from other libraries.
• Find additional information from citation lists/bibliographies.
• Judge the quality & reliability of information.
• Use information ethically (e.g. plagiarism).
• Cite information correctly (e.g. APA style).
• Demonstrate how to use citation resources.
• Tell the difference between various literature types.
• Determine whether something is peer-reviewed.

A personal Librarian is your "go-to" person in the library. First-year students are paired up with a librarian who will be your individual contact person within the library from day one. Find your Personal Librarian here.

Library Hours

Mon-Thur    8 a.m. -- Midnight
Friday         8 a.m. -- 6 p.m.
Saturday    10 a.m. -- 6 p.m.
Sunday      10 a.m. -- Midnight

Reference Hours

Mon-Wed   10 a.m. -- 5 p.m.
                    6 p.m. -- 9 p.m.
Thursday    10 a.m. -- 5 p.m.     

Friday          1 p.m. -- 4 p.m
Saturday         (Closed)
Sunday           (Closed)

Archives Hours

Contact:  archives@willamette.edu for an appointment.

Note: The library is open to the general public Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More calendar info...

The Dictionary of Literary Biography is a massive set of volumes that offers biographical and critical essays on the world's significant writers from all eras and genres.  These print volumes are located on the first floor of the library on low shelves between the liaison librarians' offices. Below are some examples of volumes that might be of interest: