Information Seeking Strategies
Big6 #2 (pg. 3)

Reference Books

Encyclopedias

These are sets of books that organize topics in ABC (alphabetical) order.  Each book will have an alphabet letter on the spine.  There is one book just for the index and it is usually the last one.   In World Book Encyclopedia, it is Volume 22.  

For encyclopedias, the best place to look first is ALWAYS the INDEX.   Even though you will find information about Bears in the B volume, you may find out even more if you look in the index first.

The index lists subjects in alphabetical order.   There are bold, black guide words at the top of each page which tell you the first subject on each page.   That keeps you from having to look at the little words on the pages.   When you get to the guide word that is very close in the alphabet to your subject, stop and start looking on that page.

When you find your subject, the index lists the volume and the page like this:

Encyclopedias also help you by listing other subjects to look up at the end of the article about your subject.   Sometimes they list other books you can get to read more about your subject.

Usually, the call number for encyclopedias is an "R" followed by the Dewey Decimal number, and then the first three letters of the author's last name.