LOCATING INFORMATION - Where do I go to find my information?

Once children have developed their focus questions they have to identify what is the most appropriate information to access and where it is located. There are many different sources of information, some more appropriate than others, depending on the requirements of the task.

Children need to be taught to discriminate between sources of information and decide which is most appropriate to the task - They should not assume that the Internet will provide the answers to all their questions.  For example if they need statistics about different countries they might use an almanac, traditional or online; if they need specific information about an organisation they might ring or write to them.  For information about a contemporary author they might email them or visit their web site.

Locating different resources requires a range of skills including alphabetical order, Dewey decimal order, Boolean logic (for search engines and the automated library database etc).  It should not be assumed that children will inherently know these - they need to be taught.

Types of information students might access

Primary sources give first hand access to information.  This information can be obtained from:

• Interviews / guest speakers
• Excursions / field trips
• Real objects / photographs, diaries
• Observation

In the library there are many different sources of information eg.:

• Non fiction books
• The vertical file (newspaper articles, pamphlets, brochures magazine articles etc)
• Encyclopaedias are useful quick and easy to locate information
• Dewey classification system to organise non-fiction shelving is important for students to understand and use. The Subject Index book is useful to locate Dewey No. if the library automation system is unavailable to students.
• The Internet - Sites should be bookmarked by the teacher or library officer to make efficient use of student time.
• CD ROM - Encarta, Dangerous Creatures, World Book are some examples of useful CDroms.
• Posters / Charts
• TV / Videos / Audio cassettes

Students can also find information outside of the library by using tools such as:

• Telephone
• Facsimile (fax)
• Email
• Post Office Mail

Remember when students use a resource they should record details of the resource in a bibliography.