LIR 30 Week 5

Where Do You Find Information?

Class Announcements

Buy a Reader!Keep up with your homework!

Topics for LIR 10 Week 5

Where Do You Find Information?Finding information in librariesDatabasesWriting annotations/ how to scan books

for annotating

Pep talk

Confusion & uncertainty is normal!Don’t “rush from topic to data dump”

Booth, Colomb and Williams: The Craft of Research

Contradictory lecture info: Spend some time asking questions, thinking

about context to save time later Thinking like an indexer comes into play

More pep talk

Process not always straightforwardAvoid leaping into “data dump” by finding

background information, context Textbooks Reference books Circulating books

Another contradiction: find context helps you focus!

So, today…

Keep thesis statement/research question in mind, think about “what you need to know first”

As we learn about library resources, think about how you’ll use them

Dual processes: New skills Context of your project It’s a challenge!

So…

You’ve identified key elements (scope, purpose audience) of research project

You’ve created a research question or thesis statement

What next?

How Do You Find Information?

Using Resources in the Library

Off to the library!

Image from NYPL Picture CollectionThe NYPL Picture Collection Online

What is a library?

Old view:

Building housing organized collection of books and other materials borrowed or used at site

Image from NYPL Picture CollectionThe NYPL Picture Collection Online

What is a library?Libraries today: Content (books,

periodicals, multimedia) and function (providing tools access information in library, or available through library)

supporting needs of library user

Think of a mall…

No two libraries are alike.

Libraries gear collections, materials, resources to users.

Libraries aim to provide “one stop shopping” for information and research needs: Books for reference, borrowingJournals, newspapers, magazinesMultimediaOnline databases Guided access to Internet sources

Library Coping Skills 101– Check your ReaderGlossary (list of terms) How to find a bookLibrary of Congress infoLC outline

Today’s class focuses on books

Circulating book stacks Majority of collection Circulating = available for check-out

Reference section next week Non-circulating = can’t be checked out Should be there when needed

Central idea of every library: information is collected and

organized…

easily located & retrieved by users

Finding Information in the Library

Using Information Finding Tools

Thinking about Information Finding Tools (IFTs)

Sources vs. Finding Tools Finding tools provide access to sources Sources (articles, books, documents) provide

content

Stand-alone vs. combined with content “Green Books” example vs. online databases

Finding Tool o’ the day

Library catalog

Structure of Information Finding Tools

Tools you use to find information Or, sources

Arranged in some way,

whether you notice or not

Common elements in IFTs

Access records (information about where to find a source), may include content

Each IFT “searchable” in a different way Subject Keyword Title Author

Which means that…

Each IFT has to create those ways to search

Each “way” describes an attribute or aspect of the information in the IFT Books have title, author, subject, etc.

Common elements in IFTs

Attributes entered in fieldsAll the records combine to create a database

What is a database?

And why should you care?

Database metaphor…

Databases

Organized body of related information Simple: Rolodex file Complex: periodical database, millions of records

Record = item in databaseRecords consist of collection of fieldsFields = attributes, characteristics of item

Databases

Fields created to be searched, information is accessible

Search fields AKA access points

Databases

Words, numbers describing attributes/ characteristics highly controlled …otherwise there would be a big mess!

Database arrangement based on its content & user in mind

Database Elements

Fields: Contain data elements, attributes, descriptions Discreet pieces of information about item Grouped together, comprise record

Records: Contain data elements in a number of fields Can be searched by field Grouped together, comprise database

Playing the Fields

Clothes Database: Color Season Work vs. casual vs.

sports Designer name

Each field represents an attribute, or way of describing item of clothingLet’s search my Clothing Database

Each piece of clothing represented by a record

Each record has fields!

Searching

Jean Filkins’ Fabulous Wardrobe Database

Advanced Search

Color:

Season:

Designer:

black

winter

versace

Search Results:

35 items:

Sleeveless wool sheath

Leather pants

Etc., etc., etc.

Thoughts about my database…

What if I decided that one skirt was orange…

another more like pumpkin…

this one’s more like curry…?

Controlled vocabulary!

(An agreed-upon list of terms for searching, organizing)

Why is a catalog search like an online dating service?

They can make your dreams come true…

Searching library catalog or for that special someone, you’re compiling a list of the perfect…

attributes! tall British handsome

circulating book about social security written recently

Each Attribute

Reflects an aspect of the item being described

In “information land” these aspects are in fields

Fields: Height: tall Nationality: Brit Attractiveness level:

handsome

Type of publication: circulating book

Subject: social security Date: recent

Introduction to the Library Catalog

Finds information about library holdingsContent available via e-books

Now the library catalog looks like this:

Find the catalog at: http://www.santarosa.edu/library/index.shtml

Subject Heading vs. Keyword

“Official” term describing topic found in subject field of database, catalog, etc

Based on agreed-upon list of terms

Words describing aspects of topic found in article text, citation, catalogue entry

Can be “found anywhere” (almost)

Searching the online catalog

Search fields: Subject Author Title

Search methods: Exact Keyword

Library catalog demonstration

http://www.santarosa.edu/library/index.shtmlDistinction between:

Subject heading Keyword

Our test case: Snakes

In-class worksheet

It can be difficult to know the exact subject headings…

Civil war example

Sneaky catalog trick

Using keyword to find a topic Keyword anywhere search Pick appropriate book Scan record, click on best subject heading Different from “See references”

Annotations:

They Make Life Worth Living

General Guidelines for Annotations

In your Reader and online…

http://online.santarosa.edu/homepage/jfilkins/annotations.html

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

List of citations to books, articles and documents (e.g. sources) Followed by brief (200-250 words) descriptive

and evaluative paragraph: the annotation Informs reader of the relevance, accuracy,

and quality of sources cited

Annotations vs. Abstracts

Abstracts: Purely descriptive

summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes

Annotations: Descriptive and

critical Expose the author's

point of view, authority Evaluate reliability,

timeliness of information

Relevance to your research

Before Writing Your Annotation

Locate books, periodicals, documents

Sources should support all aspects of your topic

Examine and review, choose works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic

Before Writing Your Annotation

Books: Not necessary to read in entirety Read or use scanning technique

Periodical and Internet sources: Must be read completely No newspaper articles or book reviews

Cite each book, article or document using MLA style

Now you’re ready to write your

annotation!

Writing Annotations

A ten step program

Annotation Workshop

Don’t write a review!

1. Using separate piece of paper, write down 5 criteria:

Scope/Coverage Treatment/Reliability Authority Relevancy Timeliness/Currency

Annotation Workshop: No Reviews!

2. Leave space below each of the criteria

3. As you read source, jot down impressions under each heading

4. Do more research if necessary (especially regarding authority)

5. Read source again, develop your ideas

Annotation Workshop: No Reviews!

6. Start writing your annotation:

7. Make each criteria is covered completely

8. Proofread for errors

9. Double check citation format

10. Check the final project format for spacing, indents, etc.

Remember…

Annotation is subjective… but information should be objective!

The Final Project!

What will the final project look like?

5 sources 5 citations 3 annotations

Link to mock-up available on Lecture Notes Page

Scanning technique for booksIf you don’t have time to read the entire book…

Anatomy of a Book

End flap information on authorTitle page, verso citation informationTable of contents broad outlineIntroduction focus of bookBibliography sources for bookAppendices additional information

Study the Index and Table of Contents

Index identifies key concepts, peopleTable of Contents reveals focus of bookLook at bibliography for related information

Scanning Technique for Books

Book Examine sections or chapters Read introduction Look for special features Find out about the author

End flaps, introduction, acknowledgements Search online databases Online search for personal or academic websites,

professional affiliations, etc.

No shortcuts for periodicals!

Homework for Next Week

Library catalog worksheetCirculating book searching and citing

Questions?

Homework for Next Week:

Library Catalog AssignmentCirculating book searching & citingExtra credit option: Create-your-own-

database