Try an Encyclopedia! Encyclopedias are great places to start when looking for information.
They have been thoroughly researched and vetted by scholars and, if worth their salt, include helpful citations and bibliographies. (Unlike a lot of information you find online!)
Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.
You can also schedule a research consultation appointment with a librarian.
It may take a little longer to look things up (minutes rather than seconds), but the quality of the information will more than make up for it!
Not all books at the UCSB Library are scholarly. Use this resource from the UC Berkeley to evaluate books to determine if they are scholarly. Still not sure? Ask Kristen!