Green River LibGuides: HIST 214 Pacific Northwest History (Norberg): Background Info

Why Use Background Info?

Why Use Background Info
in Reference Books?

An overview of your broad topic area helps you understand...

specialized vocabulary or search words that are used in your field (you will use these words for searches later in your research process)

Use these reference books in the library or photocopy or scan the sections you need

The American West: A Multicultural Encyclopedia by Robert M. Utley; Dale L Walker
Call Number: 978 A512

ISBN: 0717274217

Publication Date: 1995

Available in Reference Collection--in-library use only
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life in America by Randall M. Miller
Call Number: 973.03 G816 2009 & online

ISBN: 9780313336997

Publication Date: 2009

4 volumes
Available in Reference Collection--in-library use only -- and online in Gale eBooks
Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration and Discovery: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Yukon by Derek Hayes
Call Number: 979.501 H417h

ISBN: 1570612153

Publication Date: 1999

Reference Collection--in-library use only
The New Encyclopedia of the American West by Howard R. Lamar (editor)
Call Number: 978.003 N532

ISBN: 0300070888

Publication Date: 1998

Reference Collection--in-library use only
Workers in America: A Historical Encyclopedia by Robert E. Weir (editor)
Call Number: 331.0973 W425w 2013

Available online in GVRL
Reference Collection--in-library use only

CLICK the library database links below to access digital reference books and subject encyclopedias
FIRST try a broad search on your topic, such as
- logging
- lumber industry
THEN try narrower searches such as
- logging environment
- logging conservation
- logging economy
- logging disputes

U.S. History in Context (Gale)
Full-text articles from scholarly journals, magazines, and newspapers, reference sources, primary documents, and selected websites.
Gale eBooks
Search for authoritative information in subject encyclopedias selected for courses and programs at Green River College
CQ Researcher
Browse by topic or keyword to find information covering a broad range of important issues in health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy. Weekly reports dating back to 1923.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context (Gale)
Full-text viewpoint essays, topic overviews, journal articles, news, and statistics. A great place to find evidence to support argumentative essays.

Biography in Context (Gale)
Full-text reference entries, magazine and journal articles, primary sources, videos, podcasts, and images covering a vast array of people from historically significant figures to present-day news makers.

First, find important words or concepts (see highlighted words in example below)
Then use those as search words to find other books, journals, videos and websites