This SlideShare presentation was a companion piece to a pathfinder created hypothetically for the Chicago Public Library. The pathfinder presentation highlights resources for librarians and independent researchers of information on renewable and alternative energy sources.

1. RENEWABLE ENERGY
A Pathfinder from the Chicago Public Library
Steven V. Kaszynski

2. WHAT IS RENEWABLE ENERGY?
 Renewable energy is energy from a source that
is not in limited supply; i.e., energy that comes
from the sun, wind, tides, and the burning of
waste.
 Most countries are heavily dependent on fossil
fuels as a source of energy. Rapid decline in
reserves and harmful environmental necessitate
development of alternative energy technologies.

3. ELECTRONIC DATABASES
 chicagopubliclibrary.org
 Online Research heading
 A-Z Research Databases link
 Enter library card number and zip code
 Databases are listed in alphabetical order with a brief description
under each link.

4. CQ RESEARCHER ONLINE
 Popular among adults and teens alike
 Comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues
in the news
 Archives give users a host of articles on
renewable energy and alternative fuel
technologies

5. ISSUES & CONTROVERSIES
 From Facts on File
 Research database details investigations of
current world issues
 Recent features view alternative energy sources
and renewable energy from many angles
 2008—2009 National High School Debate

6. KIDQUEST AND JUNIORQUEST
MAGAZINES
 Kid-friendly online libraries offered by ProQuest
 KidQuest—85 magazines and newspapers
 JuniorQuest—over 100 newspapers, magazines,
and journals

7. NEW BOOK OF POPULAR SCIENCE
 From Grolier Online
 Colorful and appealing to young researchers
 Web version of the popular print series
 Biographies, activities, current science news
 SciClopedia

8. SCIENCE ONLINE
 From Facts on File
 User-friendly database
 News articles and features from Earth-related
magazines, such as E: The Environmental
Magazine

9. PRINT RESOURCES
 chicagopubliclibrary.org
 No library card needed to search catalog
 Search titles by keyword from the main page. Or choose to
perform advanced search by title, author, ISBN, call number, or
publisher.

10. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
NEIL SCHLAGER AND JAYNE WEISBLATT
TJ808.A475 2006
• 3-volume set
• Introduces students to
issues surrounding both
current energy sources and
alternative energy options.
• Primary focus is on the
latest options for meeting
the ever-growing demand of
alternative energy
technologies.

11. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
CHRISTINE PETERSEN
TJ808.P47 2004
• Single volume
• 47 pages
• Summarizes salient
details of various forms of
renewable energy
technologies, such as wind
power, solar power, water
power, geothermal energy,
and biofuels.
• Ideal starting point for
young info seekers.

12. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
DEMYSTIFIED
STAN GIBILISCO
TJ808.G53 2007
• 322 pages
• Students and adults can
quickly get current on
alternative energy issues.
• Provides concise information
on all forms of energy,
including fossil and biodiesel
fuels; electric, solar, nuclear,
hydroelectric, and wind
energy.
• Encyclopedic introduction to
renewable fuel cells.

13. ENERGY ALTERNATIVES
KAREN D. POVEY
TJ808.2.P68 2007
• Outlines the main features
and studies of numerous
energy alternatives.
• Green vehicle fuels, the
potential of solar, wind,
wave, and geothermal
power, and nuclear energy
are examined.
• The future of alternative
energy is analyzed in plain
language appropriate for
elementary and young adult
info seekers.

14. ENVIRONMENTAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
MARCI BORTMAN, PETER BRIMBLECOMBE, MARY ANN CUNNINGHAM, WILLIAM P.
CUNNINGHAM, AND WILLIAM FREEDMAN
GE10.E38 2003
• 2-volume set
• Includes some 1,300
alphabetically arranged articles
relevant to the field of
environmental studies.
• Articles in plain language by
contributors with scientific
backgrounds.
• Entries of varying length and
breadth focus on environmental
science and issues.
• Useful supplement to adults
and student researchers.

15. KICKING THE CARBON HABIT: GLOBAL
WARMING AND THE CASE FOR RENEWABLE
AND NUCLEAR ENERGY
WILLIAM SWEET
TJ808.S87 2006
• 256 pages
• Popular among adult
environmental enthusiasts
• Part I exposes the myriad
costs of the coal industry.
• Part II highlights the effects
of carbon dioxide on global
climates. Includes maps and
illustrations.
• Part III explains low- and
zero-carbon technologies
currently available to
producers and consumers.

16. WEBSITES
 http://www.eere.energy.gov/
U.S. Department of Energy website for information on energy
efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
 http://www.nrel.gov/learning/
Website of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Provides
information about renewable energy, energy-efficiency practices,
delivery and storage technologies, applications and student
resources.
 http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/
renewable.html
Website of Energy Information Administration. Illustrated
explanations of the five renewable energies used most often:
hydraulic, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. Classroom
activities from grades K-12.
 http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/79900
This is a link to the Internet Public Library’s pathfinder
highlighting sources of information on alternative energy and
hybrid vehicles.