InfoTrac Student Edition
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
InfoTrac Student Edition
revised 7/09 SR
BASIC SEARCHING:
1. We have many InfoTrac databases available through the Michigan eLibrary (MeL). Most librarians are familiar with General Reference Center Gold. InfoTrac Student Edition (aimed at high school) and InfoTrac Junior (aimed at middle/junior high school) use the same interface. Librarians can direct their users to the database the best fits the reading level needed. Since this interface should be familiar to most library staff, we should be able to go through this section fairly quickly.
Title lists and counts for the databases are constantly changing, so explain that Gale’s website keeps updated lists available: http://www.gale.com/title_lists/
Also, on the left side of the screen there is a daily update indicating how many titles are currently included and the last date for updates in each database.
All Gale databases available through MeL are all listed and described on the Gale menu page which can be reached from any Gale search screen by clicking on Change Databases at the top right of the screen.
2. Go to mel.org. To get to the databases, click on MEL DATABASES. Find INFOTRAC STUDENT EDITION in the alphabetical list. The title of the database is a link directly to it, so click on the title.
Point out the name of the library and the MeL logo at the top.
3. Discuss and point out the default settings and features of the search screen:
a. Basic search defaults to keyword – users can change radio buttons to subject or entire document (full text).
b. MeL displays some expanded search options:
Limit results:
- Defaults to full text – users can uncheck the box
- Peer-reviewed – users can check the box
- Documents with images – users can check the box
Banners across the top have other search options and features which will be discussed later during the demonstration.
New features introduced in 2009 include the left navigation column with a "dashboard" showing information about the database being search. This navigation dashboard will change as we do a search.
Hot topic tabs are another new feature. The tabs have several articles on topics editors have selected, and these are updated on a regular basis.
The basic Keyword search was selected as the MeL default because it should produce results for almost any search entered. Explain that it should be used either for quick results on almost any topic with the default settings, or it can be used to search for a very specific article by using all of the limitation features available.
4. For our demonstration, we will use the default settings. Science students may be asked to find information on the International Space Station. Begin by having the class type that phrase in the search box, then click on SEARCH.
5. Once the results screen displays, point out the features:
- another suggested subject heading, if available
- results divided by tabs for different types of sources. Each tab indicates the number of results for that type of source (could be zero).
- a drop-down box on the right to sort by Publication Date or by Relevance, and up in the right corner some icons for various tools -- we'll see the same icons in the tool box when we view a specific article
- point out that the left navigation bar has changed. It now offers options to refine results. "Limit by:" has a small arrow pointing right. Have the class click on it to point it down and to display the drop-down menu to limit by Subject, Document Type, or Publication Title. Any subject heading links that display here will execute a new search.
- have the class scroll down to see that left navigation column also has image, video, and podcast results related to the search.
6. Staying in the results list for now, have the class look carefully at the type of information provided for each article or item: Basic citation, length, reading/Lexile level, indication of what type of source this is (way over to the right).
7. Have the class click on the first article listed. Point out that the other tabs are still visible. For the article, there is basic information. For more details, click on SHOW DETAILS. Let the class look at the screen differences with that information.
8. Next point out the Tools box on the right side. This groups several handy functions in a clearly visible way. The new interface added a "share" feature and an MP3 option for all articles.
Other handy options are still available such as RSS feeds. (If an article is "shared" via a social network site such as Facebook, access is controlled by IP). Have them click on the drop-down menu next to the Translate button, pick a language, click the TRANSLATE button, and see how the article is machine-translated. Point out that it opens in a new window, so they need to close the window to go back to the original article. The new interface added 3 languages, including Arabic, Polish, and Russian.
9. With the 2009 release, all articles now have a ReadSpeaker control panel, a blue rectangle just under the Tools box. To have a machine read the article, just click on the play button (arrow pointing right). If you think you have time, let the class do this; otherwise, suggest they try it back at their own libraries.
10. Explain that for most articles, there are Library of Congress subject headings available on the left side of the screen. Have the class click on any of the subject headings listed to see how the new search is executed for the topic. Look at the new results list and point out the search string at the top, which has changed to match the new search done.
11. Point out the boxes for each article. Have the class click in 3-4 boxes to mark them. Have the class click on the MARKED ITEMS link (way up at the top right of the page just under the banner) to see the list of articles they checked. Notice that the Tools icons are now on the right side of the list.
12. Have the class click on EMAIL (little envelope icon). When the new, smaller window pops up, be sure the class looks at all the defaults and the choices. If they wish to, they may type in their email addresses and send the full text (default) of all marked items (remember: it defaults to send all) to themselves. The same is true for the print button. They may also uncheck items for printing and/or emailing. Please do not print during class.
BROWSE SUBJECTS SEARCH:
1. The results obtained from a Keyword search are different than what is obtained from a Browse Subjects search.
Have the class click on BROWSE SUBJECTS in the yellow bar along the top of the page. Point out that users can click on any letter for a very long list of subjects, if they really want to browse that way. Since the lists are so long, we don't recommend that for most searches.
2. Have the class type International Space Station in the search box again, then click on SEARCH. The recommended use for a Browse Subjects search is when a user has a very broad topic and needs to narrow or focus the search to a more manageable subtopic.
Point out that next the the subject of International Space Station, there is a small plus mark. Have them click on that to break out the subdivisions. Have the class click on the subdivision MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. Search results display in the typical fashion. Point out the search string in small text across the page. This helps users remember what they have been doing. In the same line is a blue link for "Browse Subjects."
Do the exercises for this database.
