WELCOME METALIB and SFX! TO THE 50 MINUTE IL SESSION “What Students need to know about SFX and Metalib in the context of the 50 minute information literacy session.” Eluna 2006, Knoxville, TN Marcia Henry

IL in 50 minutes Search strategies –keywords, boolean Types of Information Databases –many and different How to find the items retrieved The Information you need to cite

Several portals to information

Some goals for IL Provide opportunities for active engagement with subject content Challenge students to think critically Reflect on their processes for finding and using information. ( Rockwell, p. 18 ) IL is the ability to find, evaluate, analyze, integrate, communicate, and use information to solve problems, create new ideas, make informed decisions, and turn data into meaning. ( Rockwell, p. 22 )

Federated Searching in IL? Reasons why some librarians do NOT teach federated searching (Lampert) Loss of specialized features –such as limiting to peer-reviewed Suspicion of precision and recall Too time consuming to teach in 50-minute session Too confusing to students Overlooks specialized databases

Why MetaSearch? (MetaLib) Learn how to use MetaSearch to create your own personal list of resources, e- journals, search strategies, research alerts AND search up to ten (10) databases simultaneously.MetaSearch

Why MetaSearch? (MetaLib) Ask questions about a database: Its coverage? Thesaurus (Controlled Vocabulary)? Questions to ask about MetaSearch What is My Space? How to save search strategy? How to Set up an Alert? Questions to ask about SFX Find Text Did it capture information about article correctly?

Metalib is helpful when you want to: Search several databases simultaneously Identify likely databases Identify useful subject headings Save your search strategies

Search word(s), decide fields, select databases

Possible retrievals-”0” means?

Related search different retrievals

Rank retrievals

Subject headings -One citation in several databases -1

1 citation in several databases -2

1 citation in several databases-3

Tips to optimize Metalib retrieval Search several databases using a focused search strategy Search words in title if you want to compare retrieval numbers equitably Review subject headings in databases that offer subject headings

Offer students tips on identifying types of information- (Faust)

Metalib record

SFX menu to help find

Quick links into the Resource this record is missing helpful subject headings Resource: ABI/Inform Global (ProQuest) Title: Speech recognition software as an assistive device: A pilot study of user satisfaction and psychosocial impact Author: Robert DeRosier Ruth S Farber Citation: Work (2) 125 Year: 2005 External: ?did= & Fmt=2& VInst=PROD& VType=PQD& RQT=309& VName=PQD&

Native interface still valuable and easy to reach from Metalib record

Sometimes full text in Metalib record itself

Sometimes SFX Find text advises but does not deliver –missing issues, missing articles Report misdirects Filling out an error form should improve the knowledge database Filling out an error form puts you in touch with a librarian who just MIGHT be able to deliver the article

“Less time searching for information and more time using it--that's the goal of federated search technologies for learners” Multimedia & Jan-Feb 2005 v12 i1 p19(4) The top five priorities for school libraries and their districts. (The Pipeline) Stephen Abram.

Metalib retrievals

Basic Search Strategies: What Is a Database? Indexes/Abstracts (Woodley) Collection of records composed of fields which are searched for words and phrases using Boolean Logic. For example:

MetaSearch retrievals from different databases-SUBJECT HEADINGS vary amongst databases

Quick way to demonstrate subject indexing IF available

Let’s ponder… in 50 minutes Will the students learn more by teaching just one database? Can Metalib be considered the one and only database?

Select List of Readings Faust, Judith. “Teaching Information Literacy in 50 minutes a week: The CSUH Experience.” Journal of Southern Academic and Special Librarianship, voll 2(30, Spring Available at Lampert, Lynn. “Fear and Loathing of Implementation: Examining the instructional issues surrounding the rise of federated searching. ” Presentation at the California Clearinghouse for Library Instruction’s Spring 2006 Workshop :Challenges to instruction in the age of Federated Searching and Google. Available on the web at Rockman, Ilene F. The Importance of Information Literacy. Available at Woodley, Mary. Starting your research…Spring Available at

Conclusions Metalib can identify databases with retrievals and point out other search terms Metalib can connect you to the native interfaces Metalib can introduce students to databases they may never consider otherwise SFX may NOT deliver-opportunity to reinforce key parts of a citation.

And let’s be aware that  Databases may not be available  Awareness of several possible search headings in various databases offers many more search possibilities  Subject headings may contribute to student’s decision to obtain an article.