A wide use of reference material is essential in the successful teaching of art through the use of problems. Many sources of information are necessary for pupils to evaluate tentative conclusions and to verify final conclusions as well as for elaboration of facts. Reference to several different authorities will reveal to students the fact that there are differences of opinion regarding art and will help in making them realize the importance of weighing information thoroughly before accepting conclusions. In other words, it is valuable in preventing pupils from jumping to conclusions or accepting hasty conclusions. This suggests that several books for reference are preferable to a single text. However, many teachers favor the plan of providing three or four copies of the best books for class use rather than single copies of every art book that is published. In support of the use of references rather than single texts, the following points are made: 1. Opportunity is offered for pupils to verify and elaborate on information. 2. More pupils will have contact with the best references. 3. Resourcefulness in the pupil will be better developed. 4. Teachers are challenged to make better selection of books as well as better use of them. 5. In those schools which provide free textbooks for the pupils it is easier to replace old books, since fewer copies of the newer ones will be purchased at one time. SOURCES OF REFERENCE MATERIAL In addition to books, the teacher of art has at her disposal bulletins, current magazines, and educational advertising materials. In selecting art reference material for pupil use she should keep in mind that-- 1. Information must be authentic. 2. It should be pertinent to the study at hand. 3. It should be not only clear, concise, and interesting, but easy to understand. 4. It should include a wide variety of well chosen and clearly reproduced illustrations. 5. Illustrations should for the most part represent objects with which the girls come in frequent contact. 6. It should be up to date. 7. Subject matter and illustrations should avoid extravagant choices that are not within the reach of the average family. 8. It should contain a good table of contents and index. Since there is such a quantity of current magazine and advertising material, it is obvious that it can not all be used and therefore it is imperative that the teacher evaluate it and choose with keen discrimination all that she plans to utilize for illustrative or reference purposes. Much of this material is valuable and may be had for the asking. While it is desirable for the teacher to have subscriptions to several of the most helpful magazines for class use, it is not imperative, since she may procure many of them from pupils, from other teachers, and from the school or local community library.