Welcome to the guilford high school Library Library Orientation To view: go to browse full screen and then hit enter on your keyboard

GHS Media Center

Computers for your academic use

Media Center Computer Lab

Mission of the Library  “The mission of the library is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.” Information power 1988.

General Policies  Be considerate of others who are working.  Use a quiet voice.  No food or drinks.  When others are waiting for the computers, limit your time online.  Show care when using all library resources.  No re-arrangement of the furniture.  A maximum of 4 students at each table

Library Facts  We have computers for your academic use only.  The online catalog is available on all of the computers in the school to help in your search.  Over 30,000 volumes or books for you to use.  Over 50 periodicals or magazines.

Library Layout Library Front Floor  All reference books are for use within the library.  The periodical area has over 50 magazines.  The student workstation area has computers and tables.  Copies can be made at the copier for 15 cents per page. Computer Research Area  Scanner  LCD Projector  DVD Player  25 Computers for classroom or individual use.  Two printers (one color)  This is a quiet area for research.

Circulation Policy  Circulating books and magazines can be borrowed for 3 weeks.  Videos circulate overnight.  Report Cards are held for overdue books and magazines.  All circulating materials can be renewed.

What is the OPAC??  Online Public Access Catalog is your best way to find a book in the library. You can search by author, title, subject or keyword.  It’s a lot more efficient and less time consuming than looking on the shelves blindly.  If you need a demonstration on how to use the OPAC, please see one of the librarians.

Welcome to ICONN! The Connecticut Digital Library

ICONN  Is free to students, teachers and residents of Connecticut.  You can access it from home with your public library card barcode number, which is located on the back of your library card.

ICONN  You can search scholarly and popular articles including newspapers, health and wellness information and much more.  It can provide literary criticisms for your English research projects.  You can also search from home with a public library barcode number, which is located on the back of your card.

Notice the simple Search screen

How to search ICONN  You can do a simple search from the search initial screen.  You can click on link to individual databases to limit your search results.  You can also search under additional resources which is on the initial search screen.

Link to Individual Databases  Proquest (National Newspapers)  General Reference Center Gold- Multi source and general interest.  Infotrac Student Edition- magazines and journals.  Discovery Collection-history, literature, science and social study.

SIRS  SIRS is another database that the library subscribes to. You can search full text articles from thousands of articles on a huge variety of topics: Business, Environment, Family, Health, Global Issues etc. See the librarians for the username and password.

Welcome to Facts on File!  Facts on file provides full text coverage of world events past and current.  World news 1940-the present.  Issues and controversies.  Today’s science.  World almanac and encyclopedia.  See the librarians for username/password

eLibrary Curriculum Edition  “Resource that encompasses a broad range of articles by scholars and experts."  Features are Social Studies which includes Foreign Policy, Civics and Government, etc. Language Arts which features a valuable book review archive, Media in Review collection, etc.  It also has a comprehensive Science section which includes past and present scientists.  See the librarians for the username/password.

S.O.D.A.S. Web Site Evaluation Form Courtesy of Hulten, Julie. Web site evaluation form.

S=Source  Who is responsible for this page?  What are his/her credentials?  Why should you trust what s/he writes?

O=Objectivity  Does the author treat the subject?  Does the author present both sides?  Does the author let you know s/he has a particular opinion?

D=Detail  Does the author go into detail?  Does the s/he provide lots of facts?  Does s/he support the facts with more information?

A=Accuracy  Is the information up to date?  Does the author cite his/her sources?  How does the information compare to other information you’ve found?

S=Scope  Does the author cover the topic completely?  Does the author put the information in context?  Does the author explain the importance of the information or draw conclusions?

What is a domain name?  “A domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet.”  The “.” reflects the purpose of the organization or entity.  Domains can be purchased by anyone and hosted on any site.  You can use the “.” as a guide to help you determine the credibility of the site. ( searchWebServices.com Definitions)

What can the “dots” tell you? .gov =site hosted by a U.S. government agency. .com=commercial sites (vary in their credibility) .edu=site hosted by an educational organization. .org=site hosted by a nonprofit organization .net=site hosted by a network .mil=U.S. military site .~=personal site (be extra cautious of this site. A college student can post a personal website on their college’s site. It doesn’t mean that it is endorsed by the institution on which it resides.) .museum=museum

The web is not your only resource.  Did you use print sources?  Did you search the databases that the library subscribes to, such as iconn.org, Newsbank, eLibrary and Facts on File?  If you are having trouble, did you ask our library staff for help?

Learning is constantly in motion. You need resources to make informative decisions.  Which car should I buy?  Which college should I apply to?  Which movie should my friends and I go see? You want to be sure that the information that you choose is reliable, credible, current, balanced, relevant and accurate! (Power Tools Recharged 125+essential forms)