Information finding tools
 

Main Contents Page

Before you start

STEP 1: STARTING out

STEP 2: FINDING

Searching techniques:

- Boolean Logic

- Truncation/wildcards

- Phrase searching

- Proximity searching

- Fields

Information finding tools:

- OPAC

- Card Catalogue

- Databases

- Dewey (DDC)

Information sources:

- Dictionaries

- Encyclopaedias

- Atlases

- Almanacs and yearbooks

- Books

- Periodicals/Journals

- Newspapers

- Audio-visual

- Grey literature

- Broadcast media

- Conference proceedings/reports

- Maps

- Government publications

- Standards

- Museums

- Archives

- Quiz

STEP 3: EVALUATE

STEP 4: Legal and ethical USE

STEP 5: COMMUNICATE

 

Card Catalogue

The old Card Catalogue, which is housed in the basement of the building, predates the OPAC and is a record of all the material held in the Library prior to December 1990. Most, but not all of it, is also included on the OPAC, so on the rare occasion that you cannot find an older record, it is a good idea to check the Card Catalogue.