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41 Conducting Library Research

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353
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Write Ahead

Conducting Library Research Chapter Opener

Start-Up Activity

Arrange to tour your school library. Have a librarian show students the nonfiction, fiction, and reference sections. Ask the librarian also to highlight the digital resources and special features available at the library. Most importantly, have your students learn the names of the librarians and become comfortable with them. This interpersonal connection can open all kinds of doors for student research.

Think About It

“I discovered me in the library. I went to find me in the library.”

—Ray Bradbury

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.8

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.9

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.10

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.910.W.2.6

LAFS.910.W.3.7

LAFS.910.W.3.8

LAFS.910.W.3.9

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.36.c.9.E

110.37.c.9.E

110.36.c.11

110.37.c.11

110.36.c.11.E

110.36.c.11.F

110.36.c.11.G

110.37.c.11.E

110.37.c.11.F

110.37.c.11.G

110.36.c.5.C

110.37.c.5.C

110.36.c.9

110.36.c.10

110.37.c.9

110.37.c.10

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 354 from Write Ahead

Searching for Information

Most students are familiar with wide-open online searches, so they may need a refresher in searching library catalogs for title, author, or subject. Use the tips under "Resource Catalogs."

Also, encourage students to make use of the media specialists at the library. They have studied long and hard to understand how to find really helpful information and are eager to help students learn how to do so, themselves.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.910.W.2.6

TEKS Standard:

110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E

NE ELA Standard:

LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:

Grade 9 Grade 10

Mode:

Research Writing

English Language Arts:

Prewriting

Page 355 from Write Ahead

Finding Print Resources

Even in our increasingly digital age, much of the great material in a library is available in print form. Help students understand how to access it:

Nonfiction books follow the Dewey Decimal System in their own section.
Biographies appear at call number 921 within the nonfiction section.
Fiction books appear alphabetically by author in their own section.
Reference works appear in a separate area (and probably can't be checked out).

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.910.W.2.6

TEKS Standard:

110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E

NE ELA Standard:

LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:

Grade 9 Grade 10

Mode:

Research Writing

English Language Arts:

Prewriting

Page 356 from Write Ahead

Finding Digital Resources

Of course, libraries offer much more than print materials. Lead students through the information at the top of the page to acquaint them with the types of digital resources they can find. Then remind your class which of these digital resources are available from your school library.

Also, present the "Best Practices at the Library" from the bottom of the page. Note that the first and third of the best practices are about connecting with others at the library. It is no longer a place for shushing people, but rather for connecting with them.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.910.W.2.6

TEKS Standard:

110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E

NE ELA Standard:

LA 10.2.1.j