Reference materials (subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases) give concise introductions to topics and can be an excellent starting point for information.
Use them to:
DeTamble Library has both online and printed Reference Books on a variety of Political Science topics. Printed Reference books are on the first floor. You cannot check the print volumes out, but you can make copies of any pages or chapters you need. The online reference sources can be viewed or downloaded from the online catalog.
Credo Reference helps you build your research vocabulary with dictionaries, glossaries, thesauri, and other reference materials.
Encyclopedia of the U.S. Government and the Environment by 
Encyclopedia of Politics, the Media, and Popular Culture by