The Reference Section of the Library is on on the Main (Second Floor) behind the Reference Desk (and Reference Librarian on duty to answer your questions.)
The Reference Section is arranged by the Library of Congress Classification system, the same as the Stacks upstairs on the Third Floor. The call numbers start with letters, and you will be able to browse the shelves to find similar books on any given subject. If you find a call number area that is useful in the Reference section, you can go upstairs and check the Stacks to see if there are additional books that you can check out.
(Note: The Reference books normally do not circulate, but the Reference Librarian may occasionally make an exception and allow you to take a book home overnight. There are photocopiers and scanners nearby to get the information you need from the Reference books.)
Use IUCAT to find specific books in the reference collection.
The following resources provide biographical information about British authors. Many of these resources also provide an historical context for the time period in which the author was writing.