University of Global Peace
2023-2024 Academic Year
Preliminary Course, First Semester
Course Topic: An Introduction to Library Education System
Class 9 : Basic Principles of Reference Works and
Reference books on Buddhist Studies
Date: Friday, ( (2nd Sep, 2025); Time: 1:00-3:30 p.m.
Lecturer: Ven. Kavinda ( ashinkavinda34@gmail.com)
Phone: 09253936963
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1. Meaning of Reference
2. Characteristics of references
3. Types of Reference books
4. Reference books on Buddhist Studies
Learning outcomes
1. To understand Reference system
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Meaning of Reference
• Reference : A list of publications to which an author has
made specific reference; usually placed at the end of an
article or chapter, or at the end of a book, sometimes in
chapter order. (Harrod..588 p)
• A reference work is a work, such as a book or periodical
(or their electronic equivalents), to which one can refer for
information.
• The information is intended to be found quickly when
needed. Such works are usually referred to for particular
pieces of information, rather than read beginning to end.
(wikipedia)
Reference Books: General Reference Books 3
Subject Reference Books
Characteristics of references
• A reference work is not meant to be read through from
cover to cover, only consulted for certain information or
facts
• A reference work may have an array of unrelated entries,
which are generally alphabetically arranged
• Reference works are expected to be in the library at all
times
• The writing style used in these works is informative; the
authors avoid use of the first person, and emphasize facts.
(Encyclopedia Britannica)
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Types of Reference books
• Dictionaries, Thesauruses
• Encyclopedias
• Yearbooks, Almanacs
• Directories,
• Handbooks, Manuals, Guidebooks
• Biographies
• Bibliographies, Library Catalogues, Indexes
• Geographical sources, Gazetteers, Periodicals
• maps, atlases etc.
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• Dictionaries: a reference book that lists standard words of English
language (or another language) alphabetically gives meanings of
words, spelling, pronunciation, origin/etymology, idiomatic use, etc.
words dictionaries and subject dictionaries
e.g. Oxford English Dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary of Biotechnology.
• Encyclopedias: that contain extensive information on all branches
of knowledge usually arranged in alphabetical order.
general and specific (subject) encyclopedias
e.g. Encyclopedia of library and information Science.
• Almanacs, Yearbooks and Annuals: There are compendium of
useful statistics and data for that one year. They give information
about persons, countries, subjects, events, etc.
e.g. whitaker’s Almanac, Europe Yearbook, etc.
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• Directories: These give lists of organizations, persons,
systematically arranged, usually classed or alphabetical order. They
give address, functions, officers etc. for organizations.
• Handbook and Manuals: a handbook is usually a group of facts
centered around one main theme or subject area while a manual is
more equated with how do it. It would be fixing a flat tire or cooking a
meal. E.g. handbook of Drugs for Nursing Practice,
• Biographical Source: about famous people or people
distinguished in particular area of interest. The accounts given about
persons in this source can be a source of inspiration and challenge to
the reader. E.g. International Who's Who.
• Bibliographies: These are descriptive, systematic lists of books
and other materials in a subject. They are guides to the literature in a
particular field, either general or specific in nature. E.g. guide to7
reference books.
• Indexes/Abstracts: Indexes are systematic listings that trace and
identify materials. An abstract is a summary of an article or other
pieces of writing. E.g. Social Science Index and Chemical Abstract.
• Geographical Source: These are books which contain maps and
information about counties. These include atlases which not only
contain maps but many illustrate themes such as historical
development and specific centres. These also include gazetteers,
dictionaries of places, names and guide books. E.g. Nigeria in Maps,
World Atlas.
• Government Document:- These are official publications ordered
and published by the federal stated or local governments e.g.
Gazettes. These are at times referred to in substantiating claims
especially in legal documentary evidence.
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Reference books on Buddhist Studies
The Pāli Canon, Tipitaka- “three baskets”
• Vinaya-piṭaka: the Basket of Discipline
• Sutta-piṭaka: The Basket of Discourses
• Abhidhamma-piṭaka: The Basket of Higher Doctrines
The Development of the Pali and other Canons
• Some later texts have been very influential on Theravada
Buddhists:
• Milindapañhā (Milinda’s Questions)
• Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification). etc
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Question and Answer
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