The Penguin Dictionary of Geography (2^nd ed.). Audrey N. Clark.  NY: Penguin Books, 1998.  (REF G63 .C562 1998)
This volume has brief entries with occasional diagrams for terms covering all aspects of geography.

The Dictionary of Physical Geography (3rd ed). edited by David S.G. Thomas and Andrew Goudie. Oxford ; Malden, Mass. : Blackwell Publishers, 2000.  (REF GB10 .D53 2000)
Entries of length varying from one line to two pages may include sources for further information, diagrams, graphs, or photos.
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Regional Planning

Urban Sprawl:  A comprehensive reference guide.  Ed. by David C. Soule. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.   (REF HT 384 U5 U75 2006)
The stated premise of this book is that "sprawl" is the prime cause of the ungluing of "the physical--and social--fabric of the United States."  Following are articles on social frameworks, real estate, transportation, planning, immigration, greenspace, and more.

Cities of the United States : a compilation of current information on economic, cultural, geographic, and social conditions (3^rd ed.). ed. by Linda Schmittroth. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Inc., c2001.   (REF HT123 .C49677 2001)
For each of "America's top cities", this source provides a map; brief entries on geography; history; population profiles; government; economy; education; health care; recreation including arts and culture, festivals, and sports; transportation, and communications.

Encyclopedia of Rural America:  the land and its people.  ed. by Gary A. Goreham.  Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c1997.     (REF E169.12 E5 1997)
Articles on all aspects of rural life including topics such as:  Consumerism, Cropping Systems, Electrification, Grain Elevators, Housing, Infrastructure, Policies, Regional Planning, Water Use, etc. Signed articles include references.  Use the index for best access.

Encyclopedia of Urban America : the cities and suburbs.  ed. by Neil Larry Shumsky.  Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c1998.     (REF HT123 .E5 1998)
Find articles with references on topics which cover specific cities, theories of development, religions, types of government, types of development, etc.  Examples include: Attitudes Towards Cities; Building Regulations; Census; Multicentered Metropolis; Nashville, Tennessee; Parades; Technology; Women in Cities, etc.

Encyclopedia of the City.  ed. by Roger W. Caves.  New York : Routledge, c2005.  (REF HT108.5 E63 2005)
Brief entries (1/2 page) are signed and include further reading suggestions. The index is helpful for topics that are not covered alphabetically in the main entries.

The A to Z of World Development. comp. by Andy Crump, ed. by Wayne Ellwood.  Oxford, England : New Internationalist, 1998.   (REF HD82 .A25 1998)
This is focused on economic development, but there are brief dictionary-like entries on topics like Sustainable Development, Tragedy of the Commons, etc.

Building the World: An encyclopedia of the great engineering projects in history.  Compiled by Frank P. Davidson and Kathleen Lusk Brooke.  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.   (REF  T 56 I44 2006)
This two volume set provides information about major engineering projects around the world including the development of various planned cities (Abuja, Nigeria; Brazilia, Brazil; Singapore, etc.), dams (Itaipu, Paraguay; Aswan, Egypt; etc.), transportation projects (Transcontinental Railroad; Channel Tunnel; Boston's Central Artery; etc.), and more.  Each extensive article includes History, Cultural Context, Planning, Building, Importance in History, as well as "Documents of Authorization."
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Environment

Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues.  ed. by Craig W. Allin & Robert McClenaghan. Pasadena, Calif. : Salem Press, c. 2000.  (REF GE10 .E52 2000)
This mulidisciplinary, three volume set consists of signed articles providing overviews of issues, concepts, and terms relevant to the study of environmental matters.  Examples of entries include:  Urban planning, smog, Sierra Club, Exxon Valdez oil spill as well as acts of legislation and court cases relating to people and the environment.

Encyclopedia of the Biosphere: humans in the world's ecosystems.  project dir., Ramon Folch.  Detroit: Gale, 2000.    (REF GF75 .B5613 2000)
Tropical Rainforests, Deserts, Deciduous Forests, and Oceans are but a few of the biospheres covered in this series. Divided into environmenal factors, plant and animal ecology, human influences and uses, and biosphere reserves, each volume has indices of themes and terms related to the ecosystem and extensive bibliographies.  An overview of the history of the concept of the biosphere and a cumulative index is found in the last volume.

Encyclopedia of Global Change: environmental change and human society. ed. by Andrew S. Goudie et al. NY: Oxford University Press, 2002.
(REF GE149 .E47 2002)
These two volumes contain scholarly but accessible signed articles on a variety of topics such as "Energy and Human Activity," "Ethics," and "Ice Sheets," along with "Global Warming," "Information Management," etc.  Use the index for best access.

Conservation and Environmentalism.  ed. by Robert Paehlke. NY:: Garland Pub., 1995.    (REF GE  10 .C68 1995)
Various length articles provide coverage of many topics including:  Land Use Planning; Landscape Ecology; Irrigation Impacts; Hazardous Waste Treatment; Habitat Loss;  Environmental Impact; Phosphates; Pollution Control, Sustainable Development, etc.  Longer articles include references.

Dictionary of Ecology and the Environment, 4th ed.  ed. by P.H. Collin.  Chicago : Fitzron Dearborn Publishers c. 2001.     (REF QH540.4 .C65 2001)

Environmental Encyclopedia, 3rd ed.  ed. by William P. Cunningham.  Detroit : Gale Research, c2003. (REF GE10 E58 2003)
Although the focus of these volumes tends towards the scientific, there are entries on Urban Sprawl, Waste Management, Transportation, Mass Transit, etc.  Some entries are brief, while others cover over a page and include references.  Use the index in the back of the second volume for best access.

Guide to State Environmental Programs.  Deborah Hitchcock Jessup.  Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Affairs, c1994.     (REF HC110.E5 J47 1994)
Although this source is dated, it contains useful state by state information about policies and programs related to the environment.  Included is a summary of a state's approach to environmental programs as well as information on air pollution control, water quality programs, waste management.

Nature and the Environment in Twentieth-Century American Life. By Brian Black. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.
(REF  GF 503 .B532 2006)
Provides a history of nature and the environment in twentieth century America, which follows how ideas changed, the impact of using natural resources, the movement towards conservation and national parks, pollution, resource management, the effects of atomic technology, grassroots activism, policies and acts, the emergence of green culture, and environmental backlash.

Nature and the Environment in Nineteenth-Century American Life. By Brian Black. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.
(REF  GF 503 .B53 2006)
Considers changing ideas about nature and the environment in nineteenth-century America, beginning with colonial times. Chapters discuss the influence of agriculture, technology, trade areas, nature writing, mining, farming, the environment during the Civil War, factories and industrialization, and conservation efforts toward the end of the century.

Nature and the Environment in Pre-Columbian American Life. By Stacy Kowtko. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.
(REF E 98.S67 K69 2006)
Describes North America before Columbus' expedition in terms of natural history and environs, using select tribes to illustrate the people from a societal and environmental perspective that links the land and the people together. Identifies which tribes were in North America and their interactions with the land, agriculture and habitation, hunting and gathering methods, spirituality, migration, leisure, and gender roles.

Weather and Climate
The Facts on File Dictionary of Weather and Climate. ed. by Jacqueline Smith. New York : Facts on File, c2001. (REF QC854 .F33 2001)
This book provides brief definitions including clear graphic illustrations of topics related to climate, weather, and related issues affecting the environment, such as Ozone Depletion, Smog, Global Warming, etc.

Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate. Revised edition.  Michael Allaby. New York : Facts on File, c2007. (REF QC854 .A45 2007)
The entries in this 2-volume work are alphabetically arranged but can also be accessed through the index.  Find here chronologies of disasters, of discovery, and of geology as well as a list of tornadoes in the past.

The Global Warming Desk Reference. Bruce E. Johansen.  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002.   (REF QC981.8.G56 J64 2002)
This volume provides a survey of the issue, extensive chapters covering aspects of warming from the Icemelt to Human Health, and includes statistics, thorough lists of references for further reading, and an effective index to ease access.

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Atlases

Atlas of the World (7th ed.).  Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society, 1999.
(REF G1021 .N38 1999 Atlas Stand)

The Atlas of American Migration.  Stephen A. Flanders.  New York : Facts on File, 1998.
(REF G1201.E27 F5 1998)

Delorme Atlas & Gazetteers. Yarmouth, Me. : DeLorme, c1998.   (REF G1200 D44)
Find detailed topographic maps of all 50 states, including dirt roads, abandoned railroads and GPS grids, as well as the paved and used routes.  Don't expect city details to be precise.  Most states have one volume devoted to them, however, Connecticut includes Rhode Island, and Maryland includes Delaware.

Universal Atlas of Metropolitan Worcester & Central Massachusetts : 79 maps/cities & towns (5th ed.). ed. by Michail Glassman; cartographers, Alfred Glassman et al. Stoughton, MA : Universal Pub. Co., c1999.
(REF G1231.P2 U6 1999 Atlas Stand)

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Demographics & Statistics

Census of Population and Housing (1990).
Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office:  1990,  (REF HA 201 1990 .M472 1993)
Summaries of information gathered from the 1990 Census.
For the most recent report on the 2000 Census, see Internet Site: http://www.census.gov/ .  For a guide to using this site, see Finding Census Tract Information on the Web .

County and City Extra : annual metro, city, and county data book. Lanham, MD : Bernan Press, c1992-              Annual  1992-     (REF HA203 .C68)

Massachusetts Municipal Profiles.. Wellesley Hills, Mass. : Information Publications, c1986.  Annual   (REF HA 431 .M37)
For each Massachusetts city, one page lists demographics & socio-economic characteristics, statistics on voters, crime, libraries, housing & construction, Taxation, Municipal Finance, and the School System.
See also Community Profiles at the top of this Internet Site: http://www.state.ma.us/dhcd/)

New England at a Glance:  profiles from the 1990 Census.
(REF HA218 .K37 1993)

Statistical Abstract of the United States.  Washington, D.C.:  Government Printing Office, (Annual).  (REF HA202)
(Internet Site:  http://www.census.gov/statab/www/)

Statistical Portrait of the United States.        (REF HA214 .S73 2002)

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Databases:  Indexes, Abstracts and Other Electronic Sources Use to find journal & magazine articles, books, and unpublished research

GEOBASE  (via FirstSearch)     Limited to WSC community
    (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#GEOBASE)
Coverage includes geography, geology, ecology, cartography, climatology, energy, environment, and much more.

Social Sciences Specific:
Worldwide Political Science Abstracts     Limited to WSC community
    (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#WPSA)
This source includes selective indexing from journals such as International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Journal of Regional Science, Journal of Rural Studies, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Cities, Regional Science and Urban Economics, and Research in Urban Policy. Many journals indexed are not in English although the abstracts and titles are translated. Use caution if ordering through Interlibrary Loan.

Sociological Abstracts    Limited to WSC community
   (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Soc_Abs)
Subject Specific to all areas of sociology including migration, settlement patterns, community development, etc.. Abstracts journal articles and books. For an online guide, see Database Searching Guides.

Science Specific:
General Science Abstracts    Limited to WSC community
   (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#General_Science)

Proquest Science Journals      Limited to WSC community
    (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Proquest_Science)

National Technical Information Service   (NTIS) -           1987-              Updated Daily
(Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#National_Technical_Information)
Searchable database containing references to technical publications, datafiles, CD-ROMs, and audiovisual material added to the NTIS collection in the last 10 years.  The descriptions of material cannot be used directly as sources, but concepts and information gleened from them can be used in the search for other sources.  Materials referenced may be purchased directly from NTIS but costs can be steep.

General Coverage:
Ely Library Catalog
    (Internet Site:  http://catalog.wsc.ma.edu/)
For books, audio-visual materials and more located in the Ely Library.  Listed below are examples of subject headings to use in the catalog.  Do not limit yourself to this list!  Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings located at the Reference Desk for more possibilities – or browse the catalog for ideas. For an online guide see Database Searching Guides.

City Planning	Housing	Rural Development	Urban Ecology
Community Development	Land Use	Suburbs United States	Urban Policy
Conservation of Natural Resources	Natural Resources Management	Sustainable Development	Urban Renewal
Farm Law	Rental Housing	Transportation Planning	Urban Transportation

Academic Search Premier     Limited to WSC community
     (Internet site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Academic)
For an online guide see Database Searching Guides.

Academic OneFile      Limited to WSC community
     (Internet site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Academic_OneFile)
For an online guide see Database Searching Guides.

See Also Newspaper Indexes:

WWW Resources by Subject : Earth and Environmental Science   (Ely Library at Westfield State College)
     (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/environ.htm)
Provides links in the earth and environmental sciences.

WWW Resources by Subject:  Political Science   (Ely Library at Westfield State College)
     (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/polisci.htm)

WWW Resources by Subject : Sociology   (Ely Library at Westfield State College)
    (Internet Site:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/sociol.htm)
Provides links to web sites in all areas of Sociology and the social sciences.

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