This document provides a step-by-step guide for finding information in the library. It outlines 4 steps: 1) defining the research topic and questions, 2) determining possible information sources like reference books, databases and the internet, 3) locating sources in the library and finding information within them, and 4) engaging with the information by reading it and extracting only the relevant facts. Key reference book types discussed include dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs and more. The document emphasizes identifying recent, readable, reliable and relevant sources to answer research questions.

1. Finding
Information
Don’t be a mindless wanderer in the
library!
Be a “go to” person who can find it
without help!

2. STEP 1: TASK DEFINITION
 1.1 Define the problem.
 1.2 Identify the information needed.
Think about the topic you are going to
research. What exactly do you want to
know? Make a list of questions you want to
answer.

3. STEP 2: INFORMATION SEEKING
STRATEGIES
 2.1 Determine all possible sources.
 2.2 Select the best sources.
With your shoulder partner, make a list of all
possible sources of information, like books,
Internet, etc.
Who can come up with the most sources?

4. 2.1 Determine all possible sources
 Book
 Reference book
 Atlas
 Dictionary
 Thesaurus
 Encyclopedia
 Almanac
 Handbook
 Yearbook
 Directory
 Database
 Internet search
 Video
 Sound recording
 Magazine
 Journal
 Newspaper
 Map
 Travel guide
 Image

5. Reference Books
 Why are books put in
the reference
section?
 Why aren’t they like
other books?
 What is different
about a reference
book and the other
books in the library?
 Reference books
 Atlases
 Dictionaries
 Thesauri
 Encyclopedias
 Almanacs
 Handbooks
 Yearbooks
 Directories

6. Almanacs
 Book of facts for
previous year (2010
atlas covers the yea
2009)
 Come out each year
 Are outdated quickly
 Often specialized
In our databases

7. Atlases
 Contain maps
 Also contain
information
 May be general
 May be specific

8. Dictionaries
 Abridged
 Unabridged
 Special languages
 Special subjects
 May be combined with
a thesaurus
 May be illustrated

9. Directories
 Sources used to
quickly look up small
bits of information
 Phone books
 Lists of doctors, lawyers,
businesses, etc.
 May be online

10. Encyclopedias
 Contain general
information
 Are used to begin
research but usually
not to finish research
 May be general, like
World Book or
Britannica
 May be subject
specific
 May be online
Medical
Encyclopedia

11. Handbook
 “How to” books
 Think a book you keep
at hand to do a job
 Sometimes called
manuals
 Frequently updated

12. Indexes
 May be the last book
in a set
 Helps find the volume
and page number of
information you need
 May help find things
like poems, magazine
articles, Bible verses

13. Thesauri
 Contain synonyms
 Arranged in different
ways
 May be combined with
dictionaries

14. Yearbook
 Contain information on
a subject that pertains
to a certain year

15. STEP 3: LOCATION AND ACCESS
 3.1 Locate sources.
 3.2 Find information within sources.

16. Where in the library can we find it?
 Reference books—under
the window
 Atlases—in the atlas stand
by the magazines
 Dictionaries—in Reference
under the window
 Thesauri —in Reference
under the window
 Encyclopedias—in
Reference under the
window
 Almanacs--online
 Handbooks—in the stacks
 Yearbooks—in the stacks
 Directories--online

17. Finding Information within Sources
 Use the Table of Contents
 Use the Index
 Use the directions of “how to” use the
source at the front of some books
 Skim and scan for information

18. 4 R’s of Good Sources
Recent
Readable
Reliable
Relevant

19. STEP 4: Use of Information
 4.1 Engage (read, hear, view, etc.).
 4.2 Extract relevant information.

20. Engage—Don’t Copy and Paste
 When you turn in school assignments, you are
supposed to use your own words.
 Copying and Pasting may be a good way to
gather information, but you may turn it in that way.
 You must engage with the information.
 Read it
 Ask questions as you read
 Think about it
 Read and look away and see if you can recall the
information.

21. Extract information
 You may find a lot of information that is
interesting, but don’t spend time on things
that are not related to your assignment.
 Gather the facts you need. Ignore the
things you don’t need. Don’t include
irrelevant material in your final product.