reviews

Reference works contain entire worlds, arranged, indexed, and designed to support research and exploration. These aids—hefty both in physical form and in depth and resonance—provide new interpretations, offer access into decades of academic work, and foster fresh ways of thinking.

Free reference sources, vetted, smart, and endlessly useful, are a rich resource for scholars and students. Here are our five top picks for 2023.

Databases foster deep research, expansive reading, and a myriad of inquiry avenues. These 10 tools, covering food, Shakespeare, study skills, and much more, are our selections for the best databases of 2023.

From a quirky book on geology to collections of historical newspapers to a resonant world radio map, the 40 reference works gathered here, across print, paid databases, and free online resources, expand the possibilities of research for students, general readers, and scholars.

LJ’s top 10 picks for Best Reference Databases 2022 range in scope from architecture to history to women trailblazers. 

From a quirky book on geology to a collection of maps, these reference works expand the possibilities of research for students, general readers, and scholars.  

From broadcasting sites to legislative documents, maps, and more, LJ’s 2022 Best Free Resources covers a vast array of topics. 

Though 2021 was another tough year, it also brought spots of joy with these 37 stellar titles selected by the LJ Best Reference Committee.

Librarians, students and instrutcors will find tremendous value in these top picks of 2021.