This annual review source is a guide for libraries with limited budgets to finding the reference sources that best fit their needs and it also is a source for helping reference librarians advise patrons on information sources. More than 500 reviews, written by over 250 practicing librarians and subject specialists, identify and describe the most useful and affordable reference sources available for small and medium-sized school, public, academic, and special libraries. As with previous volumes in this series, items have been selected from the 1997 edition of "American Reference books Annual." The nature, scope, and usability of each work is covered by annotations. In many cases, the work is compared to similar titles, and published reviews from professional journals are frequently cited as well. In addition, all entries are coded to indicate whether the book is recommended for purchase by school media centers, public libraries, or smaller public libraries. Complete bibliographic and ordering information is also furnished. Four main sections--"General Reference Works,""Humanities,""Social Sciences," and "Science and Technology"--are divided into 37 topical subdivisions. A subject index and an author/title index are included. (AEF)