Library Search Activities for Primary School

Library Terminology

• Materials are generally housed in four main areas of the school library.Stack of books image by jc from Fotolia.com
  
  A school library collection is generally divided into four main sections. A primary school student must first learn what the terms fiction, non-fiction, reference and media mean in the context of their school's learning materials. As a learning tool, students can associate the first letters in fiction and fantasy (the letter "f") to recognize that these materials tell a story and are not based in fact. Non-fiction begins with the letter "n" and these factual materials are arranged by number -- a word also starting with "n." Reference materials are not removed from but "referred to" in the library. Media encompasses all non-print resources.
  
  

Recognizing Resource Types

• School libraries contain more media than ever before.cd-r with label image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  Once the terminology is introduced, the students can apply their knowledge of library resources to a collection of materials assembled on a book cart. The children first divide the items into two rows. On one side of the cart, fiction is placed and on the other, non-fiction. Reference materials are placed on the second shelf and media on the bottom of the book cart. Spine labels assist the students in recognizing and properly placing each item on the cart.
  
  

Shelving Order for Books

• Fiction is labeled "F" or "FIC" for fiction on the first line, followed by the first three letters of the author's last name below it. A book by Leo Lionni would therefore be labeled, F-LIO. Students will then proceed to arrange the fiction books alphabetically on the cart according to the first three letters of the author's last name.
  
  Non-fiction books begin with a number, identifying its subject, followed by the first three letters of the author's last name. A cookbook written by John Smith would be labeled 641.5-SMI. The students will then arrange non-fiction materials by number and then by author.
  
  

Where In The Library Will I Find...?

• The Fiction, Non-fiction, Reference and Media sections in the library should be identified by the students. Dividing the class into four groups designated by animal names. For example: "Tigers -- stand by the C books in fiction" or "Lions -- stand by the 300s in non-fiction" or " Bears -- stand in front of the dictionary shelves." or " Leopards -- stand near the DVD collection." Give one item from the book cart to each student, ask them to identify where it belongs, and tell them to go and stand in front of that shelf.
  
  

Using the Library Catalogue

• The library catalogue is now on computers in many school libraries.card catalogue cabinet in academic library image by nextrecord from Fotolia.com
  
  Familiarize students with the terms, Subject, Author and Title, and show them how to search the computer catalog using these terms. Develop a list of items for the students to find on screen and on the shelves. Assign an item to a student or small group of students, and have them find the resource, bring it to you and then re-shelve it correctly. This process is best done individually or in groups of two or three, and completed one item at a time to avoid crowding.