:: The Reference Shelf



From the publisher:
"Each book in The Reference Shelf series offers extensive, unbiased exploration of a topic of importance in modern society, in a compilation of notable articles from respected publications, abstracts of 20 to 30 additional articles, and a bibliography of other sources."
Titles you can access include:
  • The Reference Shelf: American Political Speeches: Major speeches by past and present political leaders.
  • The Reference Shelf: Campaign Trends & Election Law: "Important issues under discussion include the rise of one-party domination of state government and the subsequent, unprecedented gerrymandering of districts; the use of initiatives and referendums to mobilize political bases; and the changing uses of social media in campaigns."
  • The Reference Shelf: The Digital Age: "The Digital Age challenges us to understand not only the great potential good offered by modern digital technology but its negative consequences."
  • The Reference Shelf: Guns in America: "This collection will deal with concerns about domestic violence committed by guns, the ramifications of a widely armed citizenry, the government's failure to pass comprehensive gun legislation, as well as police brutality, strong gun lobbies, opencarry laws, home-grown terrorism, the recent rise of fatal shootings of black men by police, and the Orlando massacre. From domestic terrorism to the Black Lives Matter movement articles in this title reflect differences in policy views on the subject in the longstanding debate around gun rights and gun control."
  • The Reference Shelf: Immigration: "This volume explores these views, as well as recent policy discussions related to the DREAM Act, counter-terrorism, the policing of borders, and education."
  • The Reference Shelf: Internet Abuses and Privacy Rights: " Innovative technologies and data collection that enable novel modes of interaction and new opportunities for knowledge can also be abused to invade people's privacy, provide new tools of discrimination, and harm individuals and communities. This title will address both sides of this complex topic."
  • The Reference Shelf: Racial Tensions in a "Post-Racial" Age: "This volume will explore the state of race in the United States today."
  • The Reference Shelf: Representative American Speeches 2014–2016: "Selected from a diverse field of speakers and venues, this volume offers some of the most engaging American speeches of the year."
  • The Reference Shelf: Rethinking Work: "This volume will explore current topics - from employees working from home and new discussions around 'work-life balance' to reports on how the US economy has fared in the years following the 'great recession.'"
  • The Reference Shelf: The Supreme Court: "This title probes the extraordinary power of nine justices to shape not only the public sphere but the most intimate realms of American life."
  • The Reference Shelf: The Transformation of American Cities: "This volume explores critical problems and bold new solutions at what appears to be a rare moment of opportunity for the nation's cities."
  • The Reference Shelf: U.S. National Debate Topic 2015–2016: Surveillance: "The focus of this title is the subject of the National Forensics League's 2015/16 Policy Debate, which answers the question: 'Should the United States substantially curtail its domestic surveillance?'"
  • The Reference Shelf: U.S. National Debate Topic 2016-2017: U.S.-China Relations: "U.S./China Relations examines the National Forensic League's 2016/17 Policy Debate resolution: 'The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People's Republic of China.'"
  • The Reference Shelf: Whistleblowers: "The volume explores the most vital issues of political ethics through a personal lens."

>> Please click here to access The Reference Shelf.
Access Options:


This database can be accessed from any of Thrall Library's public Internet or research computers.

Concerning access outside the library:

Members of Middletown Thrall Library may log in to this service using their library barcode.

Please select Library Card Number once you reach the database (via the link at left) and enter your Thrall library card number without any spaces.

Access Issues?

Please call our Reference Dept. at (845) 341-5461 when the library is open.

You can also...

Tips & Special Features:


The entire series - or each individual volume in this series - can be searched or browsed.

The default search is the series search ("This Series Only"). Once you select an individual volume (e.g. The Digital Age), the default search mode will become "This Title Only."

Articles can be viewed on screen, printed, or e-mailed.
For Further Exploration...

Please visit our Reference Department, call us at 1-845-341-5461, or ask a librarian.

Technical Considerations: