Background sources such as, but not limited to, dictionaries and encyclopedias provide context for your topic or even help you choose one. Researchers use them when they need:
This link opens in a new window
Collection of encyclopedic entries, book chapters, overview essays, primary sources, timelines, images, maps and charts, biographies, etc. for 500 years of the African-American experience. Coverage: Varies.
This link opens in a new windowCollection of 13,000+ primary and secondary sources, including 2,500 documents, 4,000 images, 250 maps, and 250 audio/video recordings that explain the structure and foundations of our government and that connects these concepts to the issues of the day. Includes 2,500+ biographies and Perspectives sections that examine controversial issues from all angles. Coverage: varies.
This link opens in a new windowCollection of encyclopedic entries, book chapters, overview essays, primary sources, timelines, images, maps and charts, biographies, etc. for events, themes, organizations, places and cultural developments in American History. Includes 2,500+ biographies, 2,000+ primary source documents; timelines; 3,000+ images and a Selection of the Month section that highlights an event tied to each month. Coverage: varies
This link opens in a new windowCollection of encyclopedic entries, book chapters, overview essays, primary sources, timelines, images, maps and charts, biographies, etc. for Ancient and Medieval History of eight civilizations-ancient Egypt, ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Greece, ancient Rome, ancient and medieval Africa, medieval Europe, the Americas, and ancient and medieval Asia covering prehistory through the 1500s. Coverage: varies
This link opens in a new window
Encyclopedia, dictionary and biographical entries from hundreds of sources for most subject areas. It includes images, diagrams, maps and photos, and audio pronunciation files and sound clips. Coverage 2000 – present.
This link opens in a new windowEncyclopedia entries, primary documents, multi-media and maps for 26 different cultures from ancient Greeks and Romans to Chaucer's England and Colonial America. Coverage: Ancient world – present.
This link opens in a new windowEncyclopedia and dictionary entries for most subject areas. Dates covered: latest edition of each title.
This link opens in a new windowCollection of newspaper, magazine and scholarly/peer-reviewed articles, primary sources, images and videos, and encyclopedia entries for United States history. Coverage: varies.
This link opens in a new windowCollection of newspaper, magazine and scholarly/peer-reviewed articles, primary sources, images and videos, and encyclopedia entries for world history. Coverage: varies.
This link opens in a new windowCollection of book chapters, newspaper, magazine and scholarly/peer reviewed articles and general and biographical encyclopedia entries for issues and controversies in history. Coverage: varies.
Collection of encyclopedic entries, book chapters, overview essays, primary sources, timelines, images, maps and charts, biographies, etc. for events, themes, organizations, places and cultural developments in world history from the mid-15th century to the present. Includes biographies, primary source documents; timelines; and images. Coverage: varies.
This link opens in a new windowCollection of encyclopedia articles, biographies, facts & figures, media. photos & illustrations, political cartoons, posters on popular culture. Also includes primary sources including documents, speeches, letters, political, government & court documents and cultural artifacts. Coverage: 1900 – present.
This link opens in a new windowEncyclopedia entries from Salem Press publishers for a variety of subjects, including for health, literature, careers, history, science, music and more. Coverage: varies.
This link opens in a new windowEncyclopedia entries and essays for geographic subjects. Coverage: varies.