Ledding Library - Reference

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Governance & Funding

In Person

The main job of the reference staff is to help people use the library. This may involve helping patrons use reference books, but it can also mean recommending a good read, showing a person where our books on CD are located, or providing help on the copy machine or the Internet. Any time you need help using the library, just ask at the Reference Desk. As you enter the front door of the Ledding Library, turn right and look for the blue and white "Reference Desk" sign.

By Phone

We have telephone reference service as well. Phone us at 503-786-7546 and we'll try to provide you with the information that you need. The reference staff also provides interlibrary loan service. If an item that you want is not in the Clackamas county system, we'll try to get for you from another library. Just ask at the Reference Desk and we'll be happy to tell you more about this service.

Online

If you have a question outside library hours, try using L-net: Oregon Libraries Network. L-net is an online reference service provided by Oregon's libraries. If you have a reference question, you may chat with a librarian or email L-net your question. L-net is staffed by librarians from all over Oregon -- the person you are talking to may not be working at the Ledding Library. Just click on L-net: Oregon Libraries Network to use this service.

Reference Materials

For more information on these topics, check our Online Databases.

Telephone Books: The library has phone books from Oregon and Washington.

General Reference: We have several sets of encyclopedias, almanacs and dictionaries. The encyclopedias that we use most often are The World Book and the Academic American, The World Almanac, Time Almanac and Statistical Abstract of the United States are excellent sources for statistical information. Another popular source that we have is the Zip Code Directory.

Antiques and Collectibles: The Reference Section has a wealth of sources in this area including Kovel's Antiques and Collectibles, Warman's Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide, the Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. currency, McBroom's Camera Bluebook and many more.

Art: Resources include The Encyclopedia of World Art and the Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market, which tells artists how to sell their illustrations, fine art, graphic designs and cartoons.

Automotive: For the car enthusiasts, we have the Kelley Blue Book, which give price information for new and used vehicles. In fact, you can call the Reference Desk at 503-786-7546 and we can give you prices immediately. Although not technically not in the Reference area, the Library has a large collection of automotive repair manuals that may be checked out.

Business: If you are a business owner, this is the section for you. We have the Thomas Register, the Encyclopedia of Small Business and the electrical, mechanical, fire, plumbing and building codes.

Careers: Two excellent sources in this area are the Occupational Outlook Handbook, put out by the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance.

Consumer Information: The Ledding Library subscribes to Consumer Reports magazine. We have the Consumer Reports Buying Guide and another source called Consumer Guide. The reference staff will be happy to help you find product evaluations in these sources and on the Internet.

Education and Scholarships: The College Blue Book, Best Buys in College Education and the College Money Handbook are just a few of the valuable sources in this section.

Genealogy: Most of our genealogical materials are now available for checkout, and we are often able to borrow materials belonging to other library systems through interlibrary loan. Materials can also be accessed through the library's subscription to the HeritageQuest database (in the Biography and Genealogy section).

Geography: For world travelers (or those of you who appreciate maps and geography) we have some fascinating books in this section. In our atlas stand are the National Geographic Atlas of the World, the NASA Atlas of the Solar System, the Wall Chart of World History, the Atlas of Oregon, Atlas of American History, Township Atlas of the United States and many more. In the Reference Section itself are Webster's New Geographical Dictionary and Lands and Peoples.

Health and Medicine: This section has some excellent sources as well. Some of the most-used are the Physician's Desk Reference, Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, the Johns Hopkins Family Health Book, the Encyclopedia of Mental Health and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.

History: In this part of the Reference Section are the Middle Ages: an Encyclopedia for Students, the Encyclopedia of the Renaissance, the Dictionary of American History, General History of Oregon Through Early Statehood and Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders.

Investing: In this field are the Thomas Register, Value Line Ratings and Reports, Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds and Cole's Cross Reference Directory: Greater Portland and Vicinity.

Law: Our most used source in this field is the Oregon Revised Statutes.

Literature: This section is full of helpful sources, including Contemporary Literary Criticism and Bartlett's Familiar Quotations.

Music: For our music-loving patrons, our Reference Section includes, the multi volume New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, and the Encyclopedia of Folk, Country & Western Music.

Religion: Good sources in this section include the New Catholic Encyclopedia and the Interpreter's Bible.

Science: This section includes the International Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Biographical Encyclopedia of Scientists, the Cassell Dictionary of Physics, Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia and the Complete Audubon.