The Library Information Skills

The many resources available in the Library and on the Internet provide a vast amount of information. Sometimes all you want to do is find out a fact or get an answer to a question.  We teach a variety of information skills to help you to find and handle information.

Skills covered include:

• Location: the Dewey System and how to find books you want.
• The features of a non-fiction book such as index and glossary.
• Do the books provide the information you need? Some material may be too easy or too advanced.
• What are keywords?
• Can you draw a planet diagram?
• How to look up on Encarta or Britannica on-line.
• How to search the internet. How up-to-date is the information on the internet site?
• Which resource is right for you? Do not always assume that the Internet is the answer to everything! You will often find good background information much more quickly by using Encyclopedias and books.

Plan

Before you start looking for information, you must have a clear idea of the questions you are trying to answer. This allows you to be more specific in your search.

Select/Reject

You will now have found a vast amount of information, and you will need to select the resources that are going to be most helpful for the purposes of your investigation. Be prepared to reject material at this stage.

Recording

Take notes, using your own words. Keep a note of the books and websites that you use as you go along.

Organizing

Organize the information into a logical sequence of headings.

Presenting

• You may need several drafts at this stage.
• Pay attention to layout, using clear headings. Decide where you are going to place illustrations, diagrams etc.
• Remember to include a bibliography.

Evaluating

The final stage! Are you pleased with what you have done? Did you waste any time? What have you learned about Library skills which will help you in your next investigation?