Encyclopaedias, dictionaries and general reference
A range of encyclopaedias, dictionaries, and reference works.
Reference Online is available 24 hours a day, all year round and contains information on a variety of subjects from encyclopaedias to music, biography, news and art. All you need to do is enter your library membership number - the nine-digit number without spaces - after clicking on each title. If you are not already a member you can join the library online.
See a full list of reference online titles.
Britannica Online
The world-famous encyclopaedia in easily switchable levels for early years, primary age and older students, plus the full, in-depth library edition.
Access in libraries:
- Beginner early years level
- Junior: For ages 6-10
- Student: For ages 10-14
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: For ages 15+
Access at home:
- Beginner early years level
- Junior: For ages 6-10
- Student: For ages 10-14
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: For ages 15+
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
The nation’s authoritative biographical source of 55,000 biographies of people who shaped the history of the British Isles and beyond, from the earliest times to the year 2003.
Access at home or in libraries
Oxford Dictionaries
Oxford Dictionaries tells you how you should be using English today, offering correct spellings, definitions, and alternative words you can use. It also includes expert guidance on writing styles, usage and grammar and specialist guides for legal and technical writing.
Access at home or in libraries.
Oxford English Dictionary
The definitive dictionary of the English language, tracing the history, origin, and meaning of more than 600,000 words through time.
Access at home or in libraries.
Oxford Reference Online
Over 170 fully-indexed, cross-searchable dictionary, language reference, and subject reference works published by Oxford University Press.
Access at home or in libraries.
Who's Who and Who Was Who
Who’s Who: the essential directory of the noteworthy and influential in all walks of life, in the UK and worldwide, published annually since 1849.