I Spy… a BOOK! Searching the Online Catalogue St. Agnes Junior High October 2011

Overview Definition Definition Where to go… Where to go… –SAJH Home Page What to do… What to do… –Search Terms Another catalogue… Another catalogue… Ask me! Ask me!

What is a Catalogue? I always tell people that I became a writer not because I went to school but because my mother took me to the library. I wanted to become a writer so I could see my name in the card catalog. I always tell people that I became a writer not because I went to school but because my mother took me to the library. I wanted to become a writer so I could see my name in the card catalog. –Sandra Cisneros American novelist, short-story writer, essayist, and poet

Ways to Search… Keyword Keyword Title Title Author Author –Last name, first name Subject Subject Series Series ISBN ISBN –International Standard Book Number

Broad to Narrow Good for beginning a search when it is unknown what type of material is available, or unsure where to begin on a topic…

Narrow to Broad Good for searching unique topics or when a specific item, author, etc. is desired… Good for searching unique topics or when a specific item, author, etc. is desired… Adjust backwards to less specific if no results are returned Adjust backwards to less specific if no results are returned

Try Synonyms and Plurals Most subject headings in a catalogue are plural Most subject headings in a catalogue are plural –‘Dogs’ not ‘Dog’ Searching for related words can return more results Searching for related words can return more results –Cooking, cookery, recipes, cuisine, food

Call Numbers FIC KIN 031 GUI

Another Catalogue… Halifax Public Libraries Halifax Public Libraries –Serves a population of 372,858 people –Collection consists of over 1 million items

Ask Me! Ask Me! In class In class Visit at lunch Visit at lunch Come after school Come after school Send me an ! Send me an !