Try our Online Encyclopedias

We librarians have always prided ourselves on being able to quickly find general information about almost anything. Our secret weapon has always been a good collection of general reference books, in particular encyclopedias. In another paper-saving measure we have begun to purchase encyclopedias online. These “secret weapons” are most useful for finding general information as background to topics.


Besides the benefit of saving paper, online encyclopedias are also available 24/7 to students by navigating to our Library webpage and by choosing Online Reference Sources. These resources are also currently listed alphabetically at Library Databases A-Z.

Following are several online encyclopedias we have recently acquired.

American Decades

This 10 vol. work provides the student with a chronological approach to studying the U.S. in the 20th century. Each volume covers one decade with sections covering topical areas such as medicine and health. The encyclopedia also includes detailed, year-by-year chronologies.

Black Women in America  

This important historical encyclopedia provides an excellent starting place for research on African American women. It features large topical essays covering broad topics (education, etc.), movements, organizations, time periods (Civil War, etc.), occupations, etc.

Countries and their Cultures  

Presents the cultural similarities within a country that set it apart from others by examining over 200 countries to document the myriad ways in which culture defines and separates the nations of the world as much as geographical borders do.

Encyclopedia of Bioethics

Covers a wealth of topics on the ethics of health professions, animal research, population control and the environment. The set helps researchers to consider the impact of new scientific knowledge and its potential to harm or benefit present and future generations.

Encyclopedia of Social Work 

Contains 200+ biographies of key figures in the history of social work. Also Includes entries on demographic changes from immigration, technology, the implications of managed-care, faith-based assistance, evidence-based practice, gerontology, trauma and disaster, etc.