Reference sources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases) give concise introductions to topics. They are a good place to get a history of your issue and place problems and solutions in context.
Use them to:
Reference sources are available at the Tunxis Library in both print and online formats.
CREDOreference is a database of over 700 reference e-books. Find a collection of articles in electronic reference sources dealing with your subject.
The Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) is a database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.