MERCY
MEMORIAL
LIBRARY
UNIT PLAN
PHILOSOPHY
ROLE OF THE LIBRARIAN
INFORMATION SKILL COURSE OUTLINE
Philosophy
The primary purpose of this school library program and this curriculum is to empower students to be effective users of ideas and
information in all formats in a constantly changing learning environment. Students need the opportunity to grow as independent,
efficient, responsible, and creative users of information. The program will seek to develop the student’s curiosity, motivate and
nurture creative thinking.
Through the proficient use of skills and content learned in the Library Core Curriculum, students will be able to grow with the
changes that technology brings to their lives. Students will actively use and enjoy literature to develop the imagination and
nourish the thinking process. Students will become socially empowered as they learn to manage technology in their lives and
understand the media messages which inundate them daily.
The Role of the Librarian
The librarian develops a collection of resources, in consultation with faculty, that support the goals and objectives of the school
curricula. She is responsible for organizing information for easy retrieval, maintaining a catalog of these resources, and
maintaining the collection itself. She also coordinates the use of the facility and resources through communication with
classroom teachers. Additionally, the librarian collaborates with teachers to implement learning activities that develop reading
abilities and enjoyment, literature appreciation, research and independent study, and the information literacy skills of searching,
locating, evaluating and using information.
The librarian’s role as master teacher, information specialist, and curriculum partner encourages the involvement of global
access to information use of technology as an effective learning and teaching tool, and the continuation of reading for
information and enjoyment. The librarian must continue to seek the best techniques and strategies to empower students.
The responsibility for achieving the purpose of the school library curriculum resides in the collaborative efforts of the school
library staff, classroom teacher, student, parents, administrators, board of education, and communities.
INFORMATION SKILL COURSE OUTLINE
OBJECTIVES
TOPICS
INSTRUCTIONAL
TECHNIQUES
ASSESSMENT TOOLS
UNIT ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE LIBRARY
Students will
 Identify the organization and policies of the
Library
 Exhibit proper library etiquette
 Become familiar with physical facilities
 Learn proper care of media
 Become familiar with circulation procedures
 Become familiar with Dewey Decimal
Classification System
 Locate books using call numbers
 Become familiar with the School and the
library




Accesses information efficiently and
effectively by identifying a variety of
potential sources of information.

Dewey decimal
arrangement
History of Alpha
Show video
clip

Questionnaire

Quiz

PowerPoint

Dewey Worksheets

Internet ----tutorial

Test

Project- Glossary of
Library Terms

OBJECTIVES
UNIT TWO: USING REFERENCEMATERIALS
Student will :
 use both print and non print reference
books to search for information
Introduction to the
library
TOPICS

Encyclopedia:

Dictionary



Atlases
Almanac
Newspaper
Library tour
INSTRUCTIONAL
TECHNIQUES



PowerPoint
Slide
Internet
tutorial
Video clips
ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Worksheets

Test

project


The student will record information from
print and non-print resources.

The student will recognize the unique
characteristics of various reference tools and
compare and contrast the characteristics of
these tools.

Students will differentiate between the use of
dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlas,
newspapers and periodicals.
Magazine/Journal

Lecture Notes

PowerPoint
Slide
Encyclopedias
Print
a. Select correct volume
b. Use guide words
c. Use cross-references
d. Understand the organization of
articles
e. Use an index
f. Locate the author
Non print
g. Use Keyword search and Images
Dictionary
h. Understand the organization and usage
i.
of dictionary
Use guide words
j.
Use specialized dictionaries
UNIT THREE: PARTS & USAGE OF BOOKS
The student will identify the characteristics of the
different parts of the book
Knowledge of function of
each part
a. Cover
b. Spine

Worksheets

Test
c. Title page
d. Table of contents
e. Copyright page
f. Index
g. Bibliography
h. Glossary
i. Footnotes
j. Marginal notes
k. Illustrations



Internet
tutorial

project
Video clips
lecture
Graphic Sources


Read and locate presented in graphical
formats
Use tables, charts, graphs, diagrams,
models . maps, flowcharts and timelines
To locate information
Using the Internet
Locating information in
graphical formats
Know and use basic computer and internet
terms

Be familiar with internet acceptable use
policies

Demonstrate proper internet etiquette

Evaluate web sites before using
information
Worksheets






Maps & Globe
Timeline
Graphs
Flowchart
Model
diagrams
Internet tutorial
Video clips
lecture
Project:

Using the Internet
to locate
information
PowerPoint Slide
Worksheets
Students will:

PowerPoint Slide

Search Techniques

Evaluating
Information on the
Internet

Citing Web sources
(APA / MLA
Format)
Test
Internet tutorial
Test
Video clips
lecture
Project: Glossary of Internet
terms

Compose correct bibliographic citations
for web sites

Use search engines


Use a database
Use appropriate search words - key
words and/or subject

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Become familiar with Search strategies
Keyword
Boolean
Truncation
Title
Author
Subject
Power search

Develop criteria for the evaluation of
information sources.

Use appropriate strategies to retrieve
information from a variety of electronic
sources.
Devise strategies for recording information.
Select appropriate technology tools and
applications to retrieve and manage
information


Non fiction
PowerPoint Slide
The student will

Identify Elements of nonfiction

Become familiar with the arrangement of
Worksheets
Elements of nonfiction
Internet tutorial
Test
nonfiction

Distinguish between primary and secondary
source of information

identify the characteristics of biographies and
autobiographies
Strategies for Reading
Nonfiction
Video clips
lecture
Project: Glossary of Nonfiction
terms
Puzzle
quiz
Primary sources

The student will identify the characteristics of
the different sources of information
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Biography/autobiography
Speeches and letters
Songs
Art works or visual
materials
Interviews
Artifacts
Diaries
Museums (Online and
Physical)
Historical Sites
Secondary sources
Fiction
Student will
Develop an appreciation for literature and other
creative expressions
PowerPoint Slide

Worksheets
Element of fiction
Internet tutorial
Test
Derive meaning from information presented
creatively in a variety of formats.

Genres
-identify the characteristics of genres:
• Folktales
• Fantasy
• Mystery
• Poetry
• Biography/autobiography
• Historical fiction
• Realistic fiction
• Science fiction
Types of fiction
Genres
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Folktales
Fantasy
Mystery
Poetry
Fables
Legends
Myths
Suspense
Romance
Video clips
lecture
Project: Glossary of fiction
terms
10. Fairytale
11. Historical
fiction
12. Realistic
fiction
13. Science
fiction
14. Horror
15. Western
The Research Process
Student will:

Recognize the need for information

Identify a potential source of information

Make Outlines

Recognize various ways to record
information

Read, select, and summarize information

Take notes


Write a rough draft
Format and write a final copy


credit sources in proper bibliographic format
demonstrate an understanding of copyright
laws
understand the meaning and consequences of
plagiarism of print or non-print materials



Writing a factual
report/ Research
paper
PowerPoint Slide
Worksheets
Internet tutorial
Test

Step in Writing a
project

Writing a
bibliography ( MLA
APA Formats)

Introduction to
Copyright
Video clips
lecture
Project
 follow responsible guidelines in using
electronic resources copyright guidelines







Develop criteria for the evaluation of
information sources.
Determine accuracy, relevance and
comprehensiveness.
Select information appropriate to the
identified problem.
Use appropriate strategies to retrieve
information from a variety of electronic
sources.
Devise strategies for recording information.
Select appropriate technology tools and
applications to retrieve and manage
information
Organize information for practical
application.









Study Skills
Study Skills
Organization
Time Management
Memorization
Writing
Note taking
Test taking
Outlining
Prefixes, Suffixes,
and Root Words
General Study Skills
Guides

Improving Your
Note Taking










Effective Listening
Dealing with Test
Anxiety
Find A Good Study
Place
Using Study
Groups
Identifying Your
Learning Style
Strategies for
Reading Textbooks
Reading
Comprehension
Improving Your
Memory for
Information
Strategies for
Building Vocabulary
Writing A Research
Paper
Test Taking Study
Skills Guides






Strategies for Test
Taking
Multiple Choice
Test Taking Tips
Test Preparation
Tips
Essay Tests
True/False Tests
Oral Tests




Short Answer Tests
Quantitative/Math
Tests
Openbook Tests
ACT Testing Taking
Strategies
To identify the organization and policies of the Library Media Center.
1. Tour of the Library Media Center on-line
2. Treasure Hunt map and questions
The student will
 use online catalogs and other bibliographic tools to locate library media center resources
 locate materials using Dewey Decimal call numbers
 use a variety of search strategies including brainstorming, keyword and subject search, and Boolean operators
 use databases for research
The student will
 evaluate and select the most appropriate source for a specific purpose
 assess the relevance, credibility, and validity of information found in traditional print, electronic sources, interviews, and graphic
representations
differentiate among facts, opinions, propaganda, bias, and point of view in source materials
The student will
 evaluate and select the most appropriate source for a specific purpose
 assess the relevance, credibility, and validity of information found in traditional print, electronic sources, interviews, and graphic
representations
differentiate among facts, opinions, propaganda, bias, and point of view in source materials
The student will browse freely and select appropriate materials according to interest and ability.
The student will
 credit sources in proper bibliographic format
 demonstrate an understanding of copyright laws
 understand the meaning and consequences of plagiarism of print or non-print materials
information from electronic databases
MODULE 1
Introduction to the Library
A library is filled with books and materials on almost every subject you can imagine. Without a system of organization, one
would have to look through piles of books to locate information on a given topic. No one would be able to easily locate books. In
order to more easily locate materials in a library, a method of arranging books in the library was created. Although libraries
may differ in appearance and content, most libraries use similar arrangements for the books and materials.
MODULE 2
Parts of a Book
The main part of a book is the text, and this includes the information or the story written by the author. But there are many
other important parts of a book that can be very useful to the reader. A book of fiction does not contain all the different
parts usually found in a book of nonfiction. Here is what you may find in most books of fiction and nonfiction.
Parts of A Non-Fiction Book
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Preface
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Introduction
Body or Text
Appendix
Bibliography
Index
Glossary
Parts of A Fiction Book
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Body or Text
MODULE 3
Using the On Line Catalog
Dedication
The on-line card catalog provides an alphabetical index to all the books in the library. Fiction and nonfiction books may be
listed at least three times in the catalog: (1) by the title of the book, (2) by the subject of the book, and (3) by the author of
the book. Each listing has similar information. Each listing includes information such as the author's name, the title of the
book, the place of publication, the publisher, the copyright date, the number of pages, and the types of illustrations, among
other things. The main difference is in what information appears on the top line of the card. On a title card, the title appears
on the top line. On a subject card, the subject appears on the top line. On an author card, the author appears on the top line.
MODULE 4
Using the Encyclopedia
When we want to know more about a subject than our dictionary tells us or find something that isn't in the dictionary, we use
our encyclopedias. Encyclopedias contain general information and are arranged in alphabetical order. They are divided into
many volumes. Each volume is marked with letters and a number.
When we want to find information about a person like Abraham Lincoln, we look up the last name, Lincoln. But if the person is
royalty, like King Henry VIII, we would look under Henry. Look up the first word of proper nouns like Niagara Falls.
Cross references use the words See also. If you wanted to find out about ponies, your encyclopedia might tell you to look under
horses instead: "See also horses." This is called a cross-reference.
Using an encyclopedia's index can help you find information quickly. The index is usually the first or last book in a set of
encyclopedias. Like other indexes, information in an encyclopedia's index is arranged alphabetically. An encyclopedia's indextell
you in what volume and on what pages to find the information on the main topic. It also lists related articles. Related articles
can give you more information about the main topic. By using the index, you can quickly see every volume and page number in the
entire set of encyclopedias that contains information about your topic.
MODULE 5
Using the Reader's Guide
The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature (often called Readers' Guide) is published to help you to find information in more
than 100 of the best magazines, a list of which is found at the beginning of each volume. The Readers' Guide contains a listing
of articles found in these magazines.
Every library subscribes to a number of magazines which contain much information that cannot be found in books or which is too
recent to have appeared in book form. These magazines are used first for general reading in the reading room. The back issues
are saved and stored for future use.
This magazine index lists author, subjects and some titles, alphabetically and in bold type. Poetry is listed under the subject,
"Poems"; movies under "moving Picture Plays." Title entries are usually used for stories only. In looking up a title entry for a
story, you usually find a reference to the author. To find the reference to the magazine, you must then consult the author
entry.
Example:
Faith; story. See Flandran, G.
Falcon breed; story. See Eaton, W.P.
Under the author entry, the titles of the articles appear in alphabetical order. After you have found your author and selected
the article you want to read, copy the name of the magazine, the volume number, inclusive paging, and the date. If you have
access to the shelves, you can get the desired volume. If not, ask the librarian to get it for you.
The Readers' Guide, as it is often called, is an index to help you find articles, stories, and poems that have been published in
magazines. It is published in paperback twice monthly except for once-a-month editions in July and August. Paperback editions
are combined quarterly and then bound together in one volume yearly. Therefore, provided you have a definite period of time in
mind concerning your topic, it is very easy to locate relevant information.
A list of indexed magazines can be found toward the front of each paperback. Each volume serves as a small card catalog. Both
author and subject entries appear in one alphabetical listing. Unlike a card catalog, however, the title of an article is not usually
indexed--for a good reason. You refer to the Readers' Guide most frequently in search of information on a particular subject.
(Note: Some magazines will not be listed. Instead, they publish their own indexes. National Geographic is a good example.
Once you understand how to read the entries in Readers' Guide, however, you will be able to read all other indexes.)
To locate magazine articles quickly, make notations of the information given in the Readers' Guide. Look up back issues of
bound editions of the magazines according to their volume numbers, their dates, and their page numbers. Practice using the
Readers' Guide. It is a valuable reference source for up-to-date information, as well as for information in the past which was
newsworthy.
The key to success when seeking information in the Readers' Guide or any other index is imagination. You must be able to think
of several different ways in which a particular topic might be classified. Then continue to search.
Many words and the titles of these magazines are abbreviated to save space. An explanation of the abbreviations may be found
in the front of each issue of the Guide. Similar to cards in a card catalog, entries in the Readers' Guide use abbreviations
wherever possible to save space. Examples of names of magazines usually abbreviated:
Hist Today
Natl Geogr
History Today
National Geographic
Read Dig
U.S. News World Rep
Reader's Digest
U. S. News and World Report
Be sure to consult the key to abbreviations in the front of each Guide if you have any questions.
Click on the following links for more information about how to use the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature.
MODULE 6
Using the Dictionary
Dictionaries contain a wealth of information. You can find out almost anything you might want to know about a word in a
dictionary. Dictionaries may be either abridged or unabridged. An unabridged dictionary is one which has the most complete
listing of words of any dictionary. An abridged one does not have a complete listing of words.
Guide Words
Words are arranged or listed in alphabetical order in a dictionary. Some dictionaries have a thumb index to help you find the
word more quickly. Guide words at the tops of the pages also help you find quickly the words you're looking for. By looking at
these two words, you can decide whether the word would come between these words and would be on that page.
Common Uses of the Dictionary
The most common uses of the dictionary are for the following:
1. Pronunciation of words (Diacritical markings are those which show how a word is pronounced.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Meaning of words
Spelling
Syllabication (dividing words into syllables)
Synonyms and antonyms (words that mean the same and words that mean the opposite)
Derivation of words (where words originated)
Inflection (plurals of nouns and part of verbs)
Parts of speech
Kinds of Dictionaries
There are many types of dictionaries which you may find useful. Three main ones that you may use are Webster's dictionary, a
biographical dictionary, and a geographical dictionary.
Webster's Dictionary--This is the type of dictionary with which you are most familiar. It gives you the pronunciation, history,
and meanings of words. It will give you the date the word was first used in the language and words in other languages from
which the word developed. Something you may not know is that at the back of many dictionaries are other various reference
sections which may explain abbreviations, give basic biographical information, discuss grammar rules, give geographical
information, and even list colleges and universities.
Biographical dictionary--This type of dictionary contains information on "noteworthy" people. It gives short descriptions of
individuals, including birth/death information, who the person "was", and why he or she is important. The listings may--or may
not--be as detailed as you might find in an encyclopedia but will provide the basics about someone when you don't have a clue as
to who the person is.
Geographical dictionary--A geographical dictionary provides information on countries, rivers, mountains, cities, oceans, and so
forth. It is a good, quick reference in which to find basic information and will contain many geographical locations not included
in an encyclopedia.
MODULE 7
Using the Almanac
An almanac includes brief factual information about a broad range of subjects. They contain interesting facts about almost
anything: population statistics, entertainment, sports, geographical data, political and historical data. Almanacs also include a
summary of the year's notable events. If you have questions about specific dates, facts, times, amounts, etc, the best source
to find information quickly is an almanac. They are like a lot of resources combined into one book.
Look at the first page and notice the types of topics covered. Also notice that there is a very specific index at the front of
the book and a "Quick Reference Index" (very general) at the very back. It is very important to use the index in an almanac.
You can find the name of who won the best actor Oscar in 1982, the name of the largest city in the world, the names of
presidential cabinet members, or who won the World Series in 1995? .
**Be careful!!! Almanacs are published yearly with the most up-to-date information. A 2002 almanac would contain statistics
from 2001. If you are looking for the current Secretary of State, be sure to use the most recent edition of the almanac. For
historical type information (Who was Secretary of State during the Carter administration?), older books are acceptable
sources.
MODULE 8
Using an Atlas
Although basically a book of maps, an atlas is a book that provides much more information such as population, climate, resources,
rainfall, cities, and some historical information.
One of the main reasons for using an atlas is to locate specific places on a map. Every map has an alphabetical index of the
cities, counties, states, and
countries shown on the maps. Some atlases also list physical features such as mountains, lakes and rivers.
There are two major types of maps in an atlas--physical maps and political maps. Physical maps show the physical
characteristics of the earth's surface such as mountains, rivers, deserts, and lakes. Political maps show the man-made
boundaries between countries, states, and continents. The political divisions are shown using different colors on the maps.
Many atlases also include specialized maps that show the climate, population, agriculture, industry, and resources of specific
states or countries.