Trainer script for eLibrary Elementary

From MCLS Wiki

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials

minor revisions 11/07 SR

Intro edited to include more on showing content of each type 1/29/09 SR

INTRODUCTION:

We have access to several good children’s databases through the Michigan eLibrary. eLibrary Elementary is a useful database with a somewhat misleading name. It would be better to think of this database as eLibrary Basic or something like that. Much of the text material is written at a junior high reading level or higher, so librarians need to explain that to students.

This database has several very strong points. It has an excellent collection of photographs and maps. These photos include a large collection of animal photos that are good for looking up pictures of endangered species such as the blue morpho butterfly. This picture collection could also be useful for parents who have to make a costume for a child for a play and need to know what a pilgrim looked like. There are many black and white historical photos of people, such as Sitting Bull and Abraham Lincoln. There are also color photos from the Reuters News Service, which allow children to locate photos of government officials, sports figures, and their favorite rap artist without wandering around on the Internet at large and coming across who knows what on a fan web site.

The maps include country, city, state, climate, and population maps. In addition, there are many historical maps showing subjects such as World War battle zones and the routes taken by the African slave trade.

Before we begin the actual searching, explain how to view a list of the titles included in each format (newspapers, magazines, books, etc.) by clicking on the icon. For example, to see the complete list of books, have the class click on the BOOKS icon. From there, users can navigate alphabetically to a specific title, then open a book and see the materials from it. This material will also display in the results list if books are included in a search. Give them a minute to scan the list and suggest that they might want to look at the other source lists later.

In January, 2009, the book and map content was enhanced quite a bit.

eLibrary Elementary has granted permission for students to use photos and maps for class projects (works must be cited). This includes use on poster boards, in papers, or in PowerPoint presentations. They are not allowed to post the pictures on a web site or put them in the school or library newsletter.

Caution the class that there are lots of newspaper articles in this collection, many of them sports articles. If a child is searching for the term stars or dolphins or anything that might be a professional sports team, it is a good idea to take the newspapers out of the search by removing the check under the box.

BASIC SEARCH:

1. Start by showing the eyeballs that indicate the different kinds of material included in the database.

2. Show the area that says “Select number of results: 50” and explain that when you search a term, eLibrary will start to search newspapers, magazines, books, etc., across the eyeballs from left to right. You may not get pictures, maps or transcripts if the search uses up the 50 results before it gets there. Move that number up to 100 or 200 if you want to see a good number of pictures and maps along with the article.

3. Search for Sioux, a Native American group.

4. In your results list, show the number that comes up under each eyeball.

5. Show that the results are sorted by relevance as the default. Show how you can sort the results by date, publication title, document title, Lexile score (reading level), or size.

6. Look at the text of the first article in the list.

7. Show print and email options. Explain that clicking on print reformats the article to use less paper by printing on the text and not everything that shows on the screen.

8. Show the SKIP TO THE BEST PART button.

9. Click on RETURN TO SEARCH RESULTS to go back to the list of items.

10. Show how you can rearrange the list by clicking on the eyeball corresponding with PICTURES to bring pictures to the top.

11. Look at the pictures.

12. Sort the list by MAPS and look for an historical map.

13. Click on SEARCH at the top to start a new search.

14. Have the students pick something to look for a picture of and put it in the box. Choose a well-known person for yourself such as Lance Armstrong.

15. Click the CLEAR ALL SOURCES button to take the checks out from all of the boxes. Put a check only under PICTURES.

16. Do your search and let them look at the pictures that come up in your list.

ADVANCED SEARCH:

1. If time permits, do an Advanced Search.

2. Point out the options for limiting a search: by a Date Range (click on the drop down box to select, then the actual dates will display in the 2 boxes to the right of the drop down). Point out BROWSE THROUGH OUR LIST OF PUBLICATIONS option; have them click on a publication to see the contents that will display. Click back to search. (If you use the back button on the browser, you will go back to the advanced search screen. If you click on Search on the page, you’ll need to re-open advanced search).

3. Do a search with the word sharks in the keyword box at the top of the screen and Ranger Rick as the source title in the advanced search section of the screen.

4. Look at the list.

TOPIC TREE SEARCH:

1. Click on SEARCH to return to the home screen. Point out the links for Topics and Reference Desk.

2. Click on TOPICS. Explain that this feature is designed to help students browse to articles by selecting very broad topics, then more narrow topics as they search. Eventually students will reach a “leaf” icon indicating that this is the article.

3. Have the class click on SPORTS & GYM, then on MARTIALS ARTS, then any topic of interest. Have them look at the results. Point out the “Editor's Choice” listing of websites and caution the class that these links will jump out to Internet sites, many of which are commercial in nature.

REFERENCE DESK:

1. Have the class click on REFERENCE DESK. Have them check the button to CLEAR ALL SOURCES, then put a check under ATLAS.

2. Type Canada in the search box and click on START. Have the class look at the list and click on 3-4 ADD TO MY LIST buttons on the right side of the screen.

MY LIST FUNCTIONS:

1. Have the class click on MY LIST at the top. When the lists are displayed, point out the “this list is not permanent” note and the options across the screen for email/print/erase/return to my most recent result.

2. Have the class click on BOOKCART at the top of the screen. Explain that the Bookcart can be used by the account “administrator” to set up customized sets of resources with eLibrary Elementary. A teacher or librarian can select a topic, write a goal or assignment, choose reference sources, have a pre-selected reading list, and select specific websites for students to use. Each Bookcart has its own title and link. Staff can contact the MeL Support Desk for assistance with the administrator’s login if necessary.

If you have time, do the exercises. If not, let the class know they are in the folder for them to try later.