Lesson

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

Part 4 - Visual 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 IV: VISUAL SEARCH

Search: On "Library Search" screen

	Click one time on the Visual Search Tab at the top.
	Click on the button for the topic or special collection you'd like to browse.
	If another window of buttons appears, click on the button for the subtopic you'd like to browse.

You may receive this message: "No materials were found. Try modifying your search." This message means that you library media center is not using that particular button. Try another button.

	Use the blue Up One Page button (with the yellow arrow) to move back and forth between the topics and subtopics buttons.
	Use the green Next Page and red Previous Page buttons (with yellow arrows) to see all of the subtopics buttons.
	Click on the topic or subtopic you want to search.

The "Materials Found" window will appear, listing all of the materials in the media center under your chosen topic or subtopic.

Sort: the "Materials Found" window

• Lists may be sorted by clicking on the 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.

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Check for Understanding

Give each student or pair of students a book and ask them to do a visual search from 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.