The document discusses search strategies for reference librarians. It outlines the search process which includes verifying and categorizing the question, identifying appropriate resources and search types, translating the question for the resources, conducting the search, and delivering the information. The document emphasizes understanding how to find information even if you don't know everything by knowing the relationship between reference interviews and search strategies.

1. Search Strategies

2. Understand the relationship between reference interview technique and search strategy. Identify and explain the search strategy appropriate to a given question. Identify basic strategies for starting any search. Introduce the Central Library’s public service departments and identify their unique resources. Introduce Core Reference Collection. Training Objectives

3. You don’t have to know everything … You just have to know how to find it. Search Strategies

4. Search = Question + Information Resources Type Language Parameters Type Language Parameters The Search

5. The Question Type Language Parameters Request for a specific item or single fact Request for information about a subject

6. How accurately the customer communicates the question How accurately you interpret the question The Question Type Language Parameters

7. When is the info needed? Purpose School assignment Format Subject interrelationships Time Frame Geographical boundaries The Question Type Language Parameters

8. Search = Question + Information Resources Type Language Parameters Type Language Parameters The Search

9. Type Language Parameters Single tool Collection (within a collection) Network Information Resources

10. Type Language Parameters How it should be approached Its points of access The form the entries should take Information Resources

11. Information Resources Direct resource Produces the actual information Indirect resource Refers searcher somewhere else Type Language Parameters

12. The Search Process Verify the question Categorize the question Identify type of search Identify resources useful to search Translate question Conduct the search Deliver the information

13. The Search Process Verify the question

14. The Search Process Categorize the question

15. The Search Process Identify the type of search

16. The Search Process Identify resources useful for the search

17. The Search Process Translate question into the language of the selected source

18. Everything should be made as simple as possible. Albert Einstein

19. The Search Process Conduct the search

20. The Search Process Deliver the information

21. The Search Process If the question is not answered. . . Have I misunderstood the question? Do I need to rethink my strategy? Did I follow through on each decision? Should I have tried alternative approaches? Is this question more appropriately answered by another agency?

22. The Search Process Remember… NEVER try to persuade a dissatisfied customer that the information is acceptable Never say we are unable to answer a question without first consulting other staff

23. The Search Process Summary… The more you perform searches and use the resources. . . You will learn about the collection You will develop short cuts You will learn which sources work best for you and go right to them