The Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, London. Photo courtesy of Ellen Terrell

IMAGE Caption:

The Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, London. Photo courtesy of Ellen Terrell.

The EU Referendum in June 2016 was a vote by British citizens on whether the country should stay or leave the European Union (https://europa.eu/european-union/index_en). It is often referred to as BREXIT which is shorthand for “British Exit.” The history behind the word BREXIT seems to reference GREXIT when there was talk about Greece exiting the EU and several sources seem to feel that the word BREXIT originated with Peter Wilding’s post "Stumbling towards the Brexit" (May 15, 2012). Below a few key dates in the history of the EU/Great Britain relationship (to see more, they have created a timeline at https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/history_en ).

• 
  In 1957 the European Economic Community (EEC) was created with the Treaty of Rome (http://archives.eui.eu/en/fonds/94854?item=CM3/NEGO ).
  
• 
  The United Kingdom joined the EEC in 1973.
  
• 
  The EEC/EU – UK relationship was never easy (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26515129 ). A Referendum in 1975 kept the country in the EEC but Euroscepticism never went away.
  
• 
  On November 1, 1993 the Maastricht Treaty (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:1992:191:FULL&from=EN) changed the EEC to the EU.
  
• 
  In February 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a Referendum was to be held so that voters could decide whether to remain in the EU or to leave it.
  
• 
  On June 23, 2016 the Referendum was held and 52% of voters voted to leave the EU. That vote was just about What to do. The How is heavily focused on Article 50 (http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-European-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/137-article-50.html) of the Lisbon Treaty (http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty.html) which when invoked, is when the negotiations between the EU and the UK on the terms of the exit begin.
  

Given the fast pace of change, news sources are going to be key in understanding what is happening. Databases with full-text articles are good sources for newspaper articles as well as articles in more specific trade journals that may have a particular focus and which have published articles that cover themes that may not be in more general interest news sources. Check your local public or university library but below are a few major papers and news sources.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German)

http://www.faz.net/

BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/uk_leaves_the_eu
http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum

CNN - BREXIT

http://www.cnn.com/specials/uk-referendum

European Parliament news on BREXIT

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/top-stories/20160701TST34439/Brexit

Evening Standard – BREXIT

http://www.standard.co.uk/topic/brexit

The Express

http://www.express.co.uk/news

Financial Times – EU Referendum

http://www.ft.com/eu-referendum

Guardian – EU Referendum

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/eu-referendum

Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/us

Irish Independent - BREXIT

http://www.independent.ie/business/brexit/

Irish Times - BREXIT

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/brexit

ITV news – EU Referendum

http://www.itv.com/news/referendum/

Libération (in French)

http://www.liberation.fr/

Market Watch - BREXIT

http://www.marketwatch.com/topics/subjects/brexit

Le Monde (in French)

http://www.lemonde.fr/

Reuters

The Scotsman

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/eu-referendum

Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German)

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/

The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/brexit/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/eu-referendum/

“A background guide to “Brexit” from the European Union.” February 24, 2016.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/02/graphics-britain-s-referendum-eu-membership

Berkeley Library - European Union: Brexit

http://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/european-union/brexit

This is a guide developed by the library and has links and sources related to the Referendum and BREXIT.

British Library – EU Referendum Information Guide

https://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/subjects%20images/government%20publications/pdfs/eu-referendum-guide.pdf

Campaign for an Independent Britain

http://campaignforanindependentbritain.org.uk/

Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS) - Britain and the EU

https://www.ceps.eu/topics/britain-and-eu

​CEPS is a think tank as well as a forum for debate on EU affairs.

Center for European Reform (CER)

http://www.cer.org.uk/hot-topics/britain-eu

CER is a think-tank devoted to making the European Union work better and strengthening its role in the world.

Chatham House – After BREXIT: Britain’s Future

https://www.chathamhouse.org/research/regions/europe/uk/after-brexit-britain-future

Chatham House is the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute based in London.

Chatham House – primer on BREXIT

https://www.chathamhouse.org/file/chatham-house-primer-brexit

Chatham House is the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute based in London.

Friederichsen, Paul. "Coining catchy 'Brexit' term helped Brits determine EU vote" New York Daily News.
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/coining-catchy-brexit-term-helped-brits-determine-eu-vote-article-1.2690231

Chokshi, Niraj; Daniel Victor and Sewell Chan. “Overwhelmed by ‘Brexit’? Here Are the Basics” New York Times. June 24, 2016.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/overwhelmed-by-brexit-here-are-the-basics.html?_r=0

Department for Exiting the European Union

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-exiting-the-european-union

This is the official government department responsible for overseeing the negotiations to leave the EU and establishing the future relationship between the UK and EU. There are a list of ministers and over time there will be announcements and documents added.

European Union

http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/bundles/the-eu-explained-cbsciep2OwkgkAAAE.xjhtLxJz/

Included here is information about the European Union, its history, and how it operates.

Hjelmgaard, Kim; Onyanga-Omara, Jane. "Explainer: The what, when and why of 'Brexit'". USA Today.

HM Government

https://www.eureferendum.gov.uk/

This site contains government information on the EU Referendum. No material was published on this website between 27 May and 23 June 2016 (per the restrictions set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000).

House of Commons / Parliament

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/eu-referendum/

These sites include a number of documents related to the Referendum and BREXIT. The House of Commons Library also has a blog where posts are being tagged Referendum (https://commonslibraryblog.com/tag/referendum/ ).

House of Lords – EU Select Committee

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-select-committee-/

http://www.parliament.uk/hleu

Wilding, Peter. "Stumbling towards the Brexit" May 15, 2012.

As of mid-2016, there aren’t many books about BREXIT specifically though that is like to change with forthcoming books including Britain and the European Union by David Gowland. However, there are general histories of the EU, books about Britain’s relationship to the EU, books advocating leaving the EU, and books advocating staying. Not all of the advocacy books have been included but included but it was important to include books on the history of the EU and books on the history of the relationship between Europe and Great Britain. Lastly, the EU also has the treaties and other documents that may be of interest.

LC Call Number: KJE5092.G7 B748 2016

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2016295174

This book was written before the referendum and addresses the major concerns and uncertainties associated with the referendum including: the EU and the sovereignty debate; the impact of Brexit in the devolved United Kingdom; financial and economic governance; etc.

[Britain and Europe Since 1945. Brighton, Eng., Harvester Press, 1973]

LC Call Number: HC241.25.G7 B676 2000

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/73075072

This book is a bibliographic guide for a microfiche set and is an “author, title and chronological index to British primary source material on European integration issued since 1945.” There is a detailed presentation of the participating organizations including a description of their position and purpose.

LC Call Number: HC241.25.G7 B676 2000

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/00020367

This book is a chronological presentation of events. The author has written about the events but interspersed that written account with various memoranda, draft papers, treasury papers, political position papers, and other material covering the both sides of the debate from both political parties.

LC Call Number: HC241.25.G7 B6914 1997

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/97001320

This book is specifically recounting the failure of Britain to enter the EEC in the early 1960’s.

LC Call Number: HC240.25.G7 B7465 2015

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2015513349

Table of Contents: https://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy1612/2015513349-t.html

This book takes a more pro-union position and is based in the findings of the British government’s own research project, Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Butler, David and Uwe Kitzinger. The 1975 Referendum. London : Macmillan, 1976.

LC Call Number: HC241.25.G7 B77

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/76381246

The 1975 referendum was a seminal moment in the history of Britain’s relationship to the EU and this book looks at that time period and does include a table presenting referendum results. There is a chronology (1946-1975) and an appendix does include reproductions of official referendum leaflets. There is a second edition (https://lccn.loc.gov/96224984) of the published in 1996.

Camps, Miriam. Britain and the European Community, 1955-1963. Princeton, N.J., Princeton University Press, 1964.

LC Call Number: HC241.25.G7 C2

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/63023397

This book was published long before Great Britain joined the EEC and presents and early picture of the relationship between the country and Europe but does include the early developments of the EEC.

Leonard, R. L.. Guide to the European Union / Dick Leonard with assistance from Leo Cendrowicz. 10th ed. London : The Economist in association with Profile Books, 2010.

LC Call Number: JN30 .L46 2010

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2010513369

Publisher description http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy1106/2010513369-d.html

Table of Contents only http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy1106/2010513369-t.html

This book has a brief history but is more devoted to understanding the structure and operations of the EU.

Liddle, Roger. The Risk of BREXIT : Britain and Europe in 2015. London ; New York : Rowman & Littlefield International, Ltd., [2015]

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2015514629

Table of Contents: https://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy1614/2015514629-t.html

There wasn’t much time between the publication of the first edition (https://lccn.loc.gov/2014048869 ) and the second. Both books takes a more pro-union position. The second edition includes a lot of newer material that charts how recent political developments have changed the debate surrounding Britain’s membership of the EU.

MacShane, Denis. Brexit : How Britain Will Leave Europe. London I.B. Tauris, 2015.

LC Call Number: HC240.25.G7 M33 2015

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2015375127

This book takes a more pro-union position written by a former European Minister before the referendum. It looks at the history of Britain’s fraught relationship with Europe and how BREXIT became more likely.

Milward, Alan S. The UK and the European Community. London : Whitehall History Pub. ; Portland, OR : F. Cass, 2002-

LC Call Number: HC241.25.G7 M48 2002

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2002018817

This is continued by Volume II - The Official History of Britain and the European Community which was written by Stephen Wall.

O'Neill, Con, Sir. Britain's Entry into the European Community : Report by Sir Con O'Neill on the negotiations 1970-1972 / edited with a foreword by Sir David Hannay. London ; Portland, OR : Whitehall History Pub. in association with F. Cass, 2000.

LC Call Number: KD4015 .O545 2000

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/00043124

This book’s author was the British representative to the European Economic Community (1963 – 1965) and led the British delegation which negotiated the country's entry to the EEC and recounts the negotiations.

LC Call Number: JN30 .O75 2006

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2006000904

This is a good chronological presentation of the history of the EU. There is a detailed timeline and an extended reference and index.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/review-of-the-balance-of-competences

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/35431/eu-balance-of-competences-review.pdf

A series of reports published from 2012-2014 that was to be an audit of what the EU does and how it affects the UK.

HOUSE OF LORDS: European Union Committee

12th Report of Session 2014–15

Ordered to be printed 17 March 2015 and published 25 March 2015

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldselect/ldeucom/140/140.pdf

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-select-committee-/inquiries/parliament-2010/review-of-the-balance-of-competences/

LC Call Number: HC240.25.G7 M56 2015

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2015945472

This is the second edition of the book – the first was published in 2005 (https://lccn.loc.gov/2005280900 ) and it takes a more pro-exit position. This book updates the 2005 edition with reference to the referendum. The author has a web page related to the first edition of book at:

http://www.patrickminford.net/europe/book_index.html

Wall, Stephen. The Official History of Britain and the European Community. Volume II, From rejection to referendum, 1963-1975. London ; New York : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013.

LC Call Number: HC240.25.G7 W35 2013

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2012537032

This is the second volume in The Official History of Britain and the European Community, and describes the events from 1963 up until the British entry into the Common Market in 1975. Volume 1 published as: The United Kingdom and the European Community, volume 1, The rise and fall of a national strategy, 1945-1963, edited by Alan S. Milward.

Wall, Stephen. A Stranger in Europe : Britain and the EU from Thatcher to Blair. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2008.

LC Call Number: DA45 .W255 2008

LC Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2008273220

This book is predominantly a look at Britain's relationship with the rest of Europe for over two decades. Mr. Wall was a British diplomat who served as Britain's ambassador to Portugal and Permanent Representative to the European Union.

SUBJECT HEADINGS

European Union--Great Britain.

European Union--Great Britain--History.

European Economic Community--Great Britain.

Euro--Great Britain.

International and municipal law--Great Britain.

Great Britain--Foreign relations--European Union countries.

European Union countries--Foreign relations--Great Britain.

Great Britain--Politics and government--2007-

Referendum--Great Britain.

European Economic Community countries.

European Economic Community countries--Commerce.

European Economic Community countries--Economic policy.

European Economic Community countries--Emigration and immigration.

European Union.

European Union--History.

European Union--Membership.

European Union countries.

European Union countries--Economic integration.

European Union countries--Economic integration--History.

European Union countries--Economic policy.

European Union countries--Emigration and immigration.

European Union countries--Economic integration.

European Union countries--Politics and government

Europe--Economic integration.

European federation.

Euro.

European federation.

-- European Economic Community countries.

-- European Union countries.

Here are just a few of the Library of Congress Subject Headings that you will get:

Currency question--European Union countries.

Currency question--European Economic Community countries.

Monetary unions--European Union countries.

Administrative law--European Union countries.

Agriculture and state--European Union countries.

Banks and banking--European Union countries.

Banks and banking--European Economic Community countries.

Commercial law--European Union countries.

Emigration and immigration law--European Union countries.

Energy policy--European Union countries.

Environmental policy--European Union countries.

Environmental policy--European Economic Community countries.

Finance--European Economic Community countries.

Fiscal policy--European Economic Community countries.

Fiscal policy--European Union countries.

Foreign workers--European Economic Community countries.

Foreign workers--European Union countries.

Free trade--European Economic Community countries.

Labor market--European Economic Community countries.

Labor market--European Union countries.