Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas (EOA) is one of the nation’s best historical references for local history. It shines a light on amazing, often little-known stories from Arkansas’s past. Check out, for example, Wilson-Anthony Duel or Herwald “Hal” Morton to see how debate and diplomacy show up in Arkansas history.

As a research resource, EOA has two strengths. First, the entries are peer-reviewed. Think of peer-reviewed as quality control. All entries are reviewed by three experts in that subject area and fact-checked by CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas staff and volunteers before they are published on the website. Secondly, at bottom of each entry page is a bibliography of primary and secondary sources used by the author in researching the entry. These sources are always a good place to start with your research.

What is the EOA? (short video about the Encyclopedia of Arkansas)

Citation hint: Citing sources is important. And websites are no different. Make sure to cite every EOA entry you use in your NHD project. To learn how to properly cite an EOA entry, go to https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/helpful-tips/. Where do you find the author’s name to complete your citation? Look at the end of the entry to find the author’s name.

Arkansas Traveler Databases

All Arkansas residents have remote access to an outstanding collection of research databases through the Arkansas Traveler Database project. These are high-quality, subscription resources paid for by the Arkansas State Library and the Arkansas Department of Education with your tax dollars.

Having trouble logging into a Traveler Project database? If you are having trouble accessing a database from your home or school, you may need to turn on your computer or tablet’s location services. (This is how the state library ensures that users are in the state of Arkansas.) If you prefer not to enable your device’s location services, you can access these resources from your local public library or log in using your library card number. Arkansans living near or the border of the state may also run into difficulties. Users living near a border may report access problems to katie.walton@ade.arkansas.gov.