A reference work is a book or periodical (or its electronic equivalent) to which one can

refer for confirmed facts.[1] The information is intended to be found quickly when
needed. Reference works are usually referred to for particular pieces of information,
rather than read beginning to end. The writing style used in these works is informative;
the authors avoid use of the first person, and emphasize facts. Many reference works
are compiled by a team of contributors whose work is coordinated by one or more
editors rather than by an individual author. Indices are commonly provided in many
types of reference work. Updated editions are usually published as needed, in some
cases annually (e.g. Whitaker's Almanack, Who's Who). Reference works
include dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias,almanacs, bibliographies,
and catalogs (e.g. catalogs of libraries, museums or the works of individual artists).
[2]

Many reference works are available in electronic form and can be obtained

as application software, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or online through the Internet.

Reference book[edit]
In comparison, a reference book or reference-only book in a library is one that may
only be used in the library and may not be borrowed from the library. Many such books
are reference works (in the first sense), which are, usually, used briefly or photocopied
from, and, therefore, do not need to be borrowed. Keeping them in the library assures
that they will always be available for use on demand. Some reference-only books are
too valuable to permit borrowers to take them out. Reference-only items may be
shelved in a reference collection located separately from circulating items. Some
libraries consist entirely, or to a large extent, of books which may not be borrowed

Electronic resources[edit]
An electronic resource is a piece of information that is stored electronically, which is
usually found on a computer, including information available on the internet. [3] Libraries
offer many types of electronic resources: subject research guides, indices, electronic
books and texts, electronic journals, library catalogs, reference sources, statistical
sources, sound recordings, and image databases.[4]