This library instruction session covered searching skills, resources, and getting help. It included a quick virtual tour of the library, an overview of scholarly searching using keywords and limiters, and how to access books and articles. Trustworthy websites were discussed and criteria like currency, relevance, authority, and purpose were provided. LibGuides and methods for getting research help like messaging or calling a librarian were also reviewed.

1. Susan Bloom, MLIS
FST 101 Library Session

2. • JET library quick virtual tour
• Scholarly Searching 101
• Accessing books and articles
• LibGuides
• Finding trustworthy websites
• Help!
Lesson Objectives

3. QUICK VIRTUAL TOUR

5. Items
professors
have
reserved
for
students
Borrow items for free
from other libraries
Research guides
FAQ
HELP!
Discovery
(search
everything)

10. Scholarly
Searching 101

11. Search terms
“A word or combination of words
entered into the search input field
(or search box) to find information
on a particular subject or topic.
Also known as a query term”
Queensland Government. (2011, April 19). Search term. In CUE Standard Definitions. Retrieved from
www.qld.gov.au/web/cue/definitions/

12. Which terms to use
How much does an
(weight or weigh)
African elephant
and “African
weigh?
Is Pluto a planet?
elephant”
Pluto and planet

13. Choosing Keywords
Speak like a caveman
Think it, don’t search it words:
Effect / Affect
Impact
Change
Influence
Advance / Improve
Help / Aid
Cause
Pro / Con
Benefit

14. Selecting the Right Number
of Keywords (Video Link)

16. Limiters
Limiters are extra controls you can place on
your search parameters to zero in on the
specific information you are looking for.
Be careful! You can place too many limits on a
search and end up with no results.

17. Quotations
When quotations are placed around a group of words, the system
will only search for instances where those words appear in the
same word order.
Example: If a student enters King of the Hill into a search bar,
the system will look for the words king, of, the and hill
anywhere in any article, regardless of whether it is next to the
other words. If the student enters “King of the Hill” the
database will only retrieve instances of the phrase appearing as
a whole.
WillDillDaBoss. (2012, September 22). A very overlooked character [Digital image]. Retrieved February 26, 2013, from
http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-All-Stars-Battle/A-very-overlooked-character/td-p/38337517

18. Quick Tips
Make sure everything is spelled correctly
Start out broad and add terms or limiters one at a time
Do not use punctuation
Do not use abbreviations

19. DISCOVERY

20. Discovery – Also known as “Search All” is a system
that allows you to search for everything the library
offers (books, articles, images, films, maps, etc.) all
in one place.
While it looks like Google, it behaves differently!
Discovery (Search All)

21. Practical Demonstration

22. LIBGUIDES (AKA
RESEARCH GUIDES)

23.  LibGuides are collections of useful information
on a particular topic. They are usually created by
a librarian and make researching easier.
• They may contain:
• A list of suggested
search terms
• A bibliography
• Suggested databases
to use
LibGuides
• Journals and websites
to peruse
• Notable authors
• Definitions
• Any other pertinent
information

27. FINDING TRUSTWORTHY
WEBSITES

28. • Common website extensions
•
.com – Commercial
•
.biz – Small business
•
.net – Network
•
.edu – Education
•
.org – Organization (charity)
•
.gov – Government
•
Country codes
• Examples: .eu; .cn
• www.google.com
Website Extensions
Fresh venture. (2009, May 19). Domain extensions [Digital image]. Retrieved from
http://www.fresheventure.com/images/DomainExtensions.gif

29. • Currency
• Relevance
• Authority
• Accuracy
• Purpose
Oh CRAAP!
The Opte project. (n.d.). Map of the internet [Map]. In The Opte Project. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from http://opte.org/maps/

30. • Do you need current information or historical
data?
• When was the piece published?
• Have their been any revisions?
• When was the latest edition published?
Currency

31. • Does the information speak to your topic?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the scope sufficient?
“Scope - extent or range of view, outlook, application,
operation, effectiveness, etc.”
Random House, Inc. (n.d.). Scope [Def. 1]. In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scope
Relevance

32. • Who is the author?
• Have they written on this topic previously?
• Do they hold a degree in the topic?
• Are they a part of any professional organization?
• Do they provide contact information?
• Who is the publishing company?
• Have they published pieces on similar topics before?
Authority

33. • Is the information supported by another source?
• Do the conclusions the author develops seem
plausible?
• Has the article been cited in any other published
works?
• Is it from a peer-reviewed source?
• Are their spelling and/or grammar mistakes?
Accuracy

34. • Why do you think the author wrote this piece?
• What is the goal of the publisher?
• Is the source biased?
“Biased - an inclination of temperament or outlook;
especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned
judgment”
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Bias [Def. 3b]. In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/bias
Purpose

36. • Instant Message Online
• Text (516) 714-4486
• Call (516) 323-3911
• Email molloylibrarian@gmail.com
• Visit
• Facebook & Twitter
• Private appointments
Need help?

37. How many search terms should you
normally use in a search?
How will adding quotations to a search
term effect your search?
What are limiters?
Examples?
What is a LibGuide?
Review

38. • Please go to
http://molloy.libguides.com/
• Scroll to the bottom of the page
• Click on the link on the left hand side
titled “Librarian Class Instruction
Survey”
• My name is Susie Bloom
Library Instruction Survey