The main reference and information collection is held at Wakefield Learning and Local Studies Library, Balne Lane. Medium sized satellite collections are held at Castleford and Pontefract Libraries, and each branch in the district has a small selection of popular reference titles. The collections are cared for by the Information Team, comprising reference and specialist information librarians.
The main reference collection at Wakefield Learning and Local Studies Library is aimed at post-secondary to undergraduate students, vocational, professional and adult learners and enquirers and comprises a wide range of major and minor reference works including but not limited to:
- Dictionaries, Thesaurii and Grammars
- Encyclopaedias and Almanacs
- Trade Directories
- Standards and codes of practice
- Legislation
- Legal reference (Case and Statute Law)
- Yearbooks
- Maps
- Atlases
- Online Resources
- CDROM and DVD databases
- Quality Daily newspapers are also available along with a selection of journals, and professional magazines
The Library also hosts special collections of :
- Government Information including White Papers, Hansard, Government reports and departmental publications
- Environment Information
- European Information
- Statistics (UK and International)
- Business Information
- Grant and funding information for individuals and groups
- Community Information
Personal callers are welcome during opening hours, and much of the reference material is available on the open shelves (please consult our catalogue for details of specific titles). Alternate methods of contact are detailed on Wakefield Libraries Contact Us page.
