Lesson

Using the Library Catalog (Developed by Ann Holton and Suzanne Bork)

Part 1 - Author Search

Demonstrates skill in using electronic catalog

Information Literacy Model Objectives

Locates the sources

Constructs and execute effective search strategies

Identifies and use various strategies or techniques when executing searches

Searches library catalog

Uses print and electronic resources including reference sources, periodical indexing, abstracting and/or full-text sources, and the Internet

Anticipatory Set

The library catalog will help you find all of the materials located here in the library media center. If you want to find a book by your favorite author, you can look up his or her name in the library catalog. If you are doing research for a classroom assignment, you will want to use the library catalog to find books and other resources. If you are interested in trains, you can check the catalog for that keyword. All of the computers in the library, lab and classrooms have the library catalog on them.

Objectives

	The learner will use the author, title, key word and visual search features of the library catalog to locate materials and learn the concepts of “search,” “sort” and “select.” Modeling examples should be selected from the library media center collection to fit the skill addressed in the lessons and integrate with a curricular unit.
	The learner will select a reading book appropriate to his/her reading ability.

Note: Objectives are the same for each of the lessons that follow. These lessons are based upon the Sagebrush Spectrum Suite Library Software, but may be easily modified for other library catalog systems.

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Input and Modeling

The library media specialist should model each type of search using the library catalog connected to a large-screen display. Use books or other materials from the collection and have them available as the lesson is being taught so that students can see the connection to actual items in the library collection.

AUTHOR SEARCH

Search: On "Library Search" screen

1. Click one time on author radial button.
2. Choose one of the following strategies (library media specialist may have a preference, or may teach students both strategies):

Browsing Strategy

Complete Name Strategy

	Type first four letters of the author’s last name.
	Click on Browse.
	Select (highlight) name from list.
	Click on Return Item.
	Click on Search.

	Type last name (comma) (space) first name of the author.
	Click on Search.

Notes:
• Correct spelling is essential.
• Wild Card/truncation is not applicable or as useful for authors.
• Illustrators may be searched just as authors.
• Use of capital letters is unnecessary.

Sort: On the "Materials Found" window:

• Lists may be sorted by clicking on field name at top of each column.
• Sort by call number to help locate items on shelf
• "Copies in" is indicated on far right column. The number in front of the slash indicates the number of items available; the number after the slash indicates the number of copies owned.

Select:
• Highlight title needed by clicking once.
• Double click title for more information.
• Read the “summary” to find out what the book is about
• Write down call number and title on a call slip to locate material on the shelf.

Hotlinks: When records are displayed in the library catalog, some parts of the information are shown in color on the screen. These are “hot links.”
• click on a hot link; this takes you to the display for other books by the same author or on the same topic.
• this is a useful feature if you want to find more books like one you have read.

Note: An author’s name may be entered in several different versions; search all versions to get complete listing of materials by that author.

Check for Understanding

Give each student or pair of students a book and ask them to do an author search for that book. Watch closely and assist as needed.

Guided Practice

Have students use the Library Catalog Practice Activity to review each type of search and other concepts presented in the lessons. Placing the Library Catalog Guide near computers will help remind students of the steps in searching.

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This page was last updated on May 02, 2008.