This document provides an overview of how to use library databases to research animals. It discusses what databases are and how to access them through a school website. Two encyclopedia databases, World Book and Grolier, are demonstrated for searching animal topics. Tips are provided for what to do if the specific animal being researched is not found, such as checking spelling, using broader terms, or trying a different database. The document encourages asking the librarian if there are any other questions.

1. LOVE YOUR
LIBRARY
DATABASES:
ANIMALS
Ms. Doyle, Librarian

2. What is a database?
On the Internet, but not in Google!
We will look at encyclopedias today.
Why would you want to use a
database?
Image attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/galant/3268338756/sizes/l/in/photostream/

3. Let’s Find the Databases
Go to your school’s website
Hover over Library

4. How to Find the Databases
Click “Library & Electronic Resources”

5. How to Find the Databases

6. World Book
& Grolier
ENCYCLOPEDIAS

7. Choose “World Book”

8. WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA

9. There are at three ways to search. . .talk to a
partner for 30 seconds: What are at least two
ways to start?

10. Browse to your animal, OR. . .

11. …type your animal and click Go

12. Help me pick the best article…1, 2, or 3
fingers.

13. Read your article

14. Scroll down to see recommended web
sites

15. GROLIER

16. GROLIER ENCYCLOPEDIA

17. Type your animal and click GO

18. 1 is easiest, 4 most difficult

20. Periodicals = articles from newspapers
and magazines

21. SIRS DISCOVERER
General Reference

22. DISCOVERER

23. TRY A SEARCH BY SUBJECT
HEADING

24. WHICH SUBJECT SHOULD I
CHOOSE?

26. WHAT IF. . .
 I am researching African elephants, but the
encyclopedia only has an article on elephants?

27. WHAT IF. . .
 I am researching American badgers, but there is
only an article on badgers?

28. WHAT IF. . .
Ican’t find my animal in the first
database I try?
Talk to your partner for about 30
seconds and try to think of solutions.

29. WHAT IF. . .
Ican’t find my animal in the first
database I try?
Did you think of these solutions?
 Check your spelling!
 Try another word that means the
same thing
 Try fewer words (“elephant”, not
“African elephant”)
 Try a different database, or find a
trustworthy site on the Internet

30. ANY QUESTIONS?
Thank you!