Research guides: Public Policy and Governance: Encyclopedias & dictionaries

Why use encyclopedias or dictionaries?

Use encyclopedias for broad overviews of topics and to find lists of major books and articles written about those topics.

Use dictionaries to define concepts and terms.

The library is purchasing electronic dictionaries and encyclopedias as they become available.

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Reference Universe
This valuable resource searches the content of many of the library's print and electronic reference titles. It indexes over 30,000 dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference works.
Search tips:
- Select your topic (e.g., homelessness)
- Select a title of interest (e.g., Encyclopedia of Homelessness); if the title is in the University of Toronto's library, you're automatically linked to a call number and location listing (for print copies) or an e-resource link (for online works)
- Check for an electronic copy:
- If the resource appears to be available only in print, double check for an electronic copy by pasting in the title of the encyclopedia into the library catalogue search box
Important tip: For more recent titles, search 'non-local holdings' too; then, check the catalogue for unlinked library holdings