a book intended to be consulted for information on specific matters rather than read from beginning to end.
"a beat-up old grade-school dictionary was the only reference book we ever had in our house"
Example: Davis Drug Guide, an Anatomy Atlas, a medical encyclopedia. These are all examples of "reference books"
An online reference book can be used 24 X 7 from your tablet, mobile phone, laptop or computer -- via the internet by signing into EBSCO e-Books with your MyNSU ID and password.