Lesson

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

Part 3 - Keyword 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 for using the catalog. 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.

PART III: KEYWORD SEARCH

Search: On "Library Search" screen

Click one time on the Keyword radial button.
Choose one of the following strategies.

Browsing Strategy

Complete Keyword Search Strategy

	Type first four letters of the keyword.
	Click on Browse.
	Click on Return Item.
	Select a keyword from list.
	Add * (wild card) to the keyword.
	Click on Search.

	Type complete keyword.
	Click on Search.

Wild Card Feature:

• Use the wild card * option to find all forms of a particular keyword.
• Place the wild card * after the first four letters of a keyword; this will produce the greatest number of material choices.
• Show examples of each kind of search. The student should see an increased number of choices if searches are completed in the following order:

Examples:

Pioneers, pioneer, pioneer*, pion*

Kangaroos, kangaroo, kangaroo*, kang*

• Use the wild card to help find all forms of a word; for example, wol* will find wolf and wolves. Other examples will differ based on the content being taught.

Note: The greatest success will probably occur using a singular word with the wild card option.

Sort: the "Materials Found" window

• The numbers of materials that include the keyword are listed at the bottom of the window. While the largest list appears with just the three letters and the wild card, many times are not at all related to the original topic.
• Lists may be sorted by clicking on field name at top of each column.
• "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: the "Materials Found" window

• Highlight title needed by clicking once.
• Double click title for more information.
• Write down call number and title on a call slip to locate material on the shelf.

Note: Using the Keyword Search Practice Activity will provide additional/advanced practice on keyword searching. See also the Identifying Keywords lesson.

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Check for Understanding

Give each student or pair of students a book and ask them to do a keyword from the title of the book they are given. 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 23, 2008.