Competency #6d: Citation Pearl Growing

Database: Books in Print

Search Query: Find more information similar to the book Collaboration and the School Library Media Specialist.

Search strategy: Using the title Collaboration and the School Library found in a previous search, I was given a list of similar subject in BIP. These subjects were:

Bowker Subjects:	INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS_POLITICAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS CENTERS SCHOOL LIBRARIES
General Subjects (BISAC):	EDUCATION / Teaching Methods & Materials / General POLITICAL SCIENCE / General LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Library & Information Science

S1= I clicked on Education/Teaching Methods&Materials/General and I received 18,018 hits.
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S2=I clicked on Language Arts & Disciplines/Library & Information Science and I received 12,725 hits.

S3= I clicked Instructional Materials Center and received 253 hits.

Search Evaluation: I was determined to understand BIP. I tried a couple of titles prior to this one and was not given the option to perform subject searchs. The title I used in this search provided me with additional subjects to search. Overall,the subject areas were too broad in this database. I retrieved far too many hits that really did not meet my topic area. Search 3 was a little more on target, still, a lot to sift through. While successful in that I have new understanding, I would probably need to continue to click on the other subject areas or refer to a different database.

Competency #6c: Successive Fractions

Database: World Cat

Search Query: I would like to find more resources for teacher and librarian collaboration.

Search strategy:

S1 = school librarian - 3386 hits

S2 = S1 and teacher* - 733 hits

S3 = S1 and S2 and collaboration - 21 hits

Search evaluation: I am coming to understand this search strategy the more I use it. I felt that the hits retrieved proved useful, and I was introduced to books that will be helpful for my blog's purpose. I enjoy that this search can result in a narrower pool of information the more facets I add to the search.

Competency #6b: Specific Facet First

Database: Academic Search Complete

Search Query: I would like to find more resources for teacher and librarian collaboration.

Search Strategy:
S1 = teacher and librarian collaboration - 28 hits

S2 = librarian collaboration - 52 hits

Search Evaluation: I had performed this search before for the discussion board using the terms "teacher librarian collaboration" and received only 13 hits. This time I wanted to try the search adding the and between teacher and librarian. I liked that I retrieved more hits this time around. I felt my first attempt was too limited. Our professor has recommended that 30 hits is a manageable number to sort through. I was satisfied that I was closer to 30 this attempt.

I could see how this strategy of searching could result in wide selection of hits. I feel that this fits with my style of how I search on the Internet. I attempt to pinpoint the words I need in order to retrieve the information I seek. I appreciate this type of search, but I am also glad I am learning new methods.

Competency #6a: Building Block Search

ERIC - Internet

SEARCH TOPIC: How can the librarian help the teacher?

Search Strategy:

S1: librarian or school librarian or library media specialist

S2: help or aide or collaborate

S3: teacher or instructor or staff

S1 and S2 and S3 = 305 Hits

Search Evaluation:
This search allowed me to find many useful articles on how the school librarian can help the teacher. I could narrow my search down by specifying the subject area. My first attempts were not as successful because I did not fully understand the search concept. I have a much better idea now of how to build a search and have had more success in finding the information I need.