Session 1: Overview of information sources and search strategies
Wednesday, January 8, 1997
Ray English, Director of Libraries

In designing a search strategy, one needs to take into account the various types of reference works and other information sources. Some of these are useful for orientation and background information; others provide detailed information or evidence. A given index or other search tool may be invaluable for finding certain types of sources but be useless for others. We will discuss what sources are available, how libraries and publishers exercise bibliographic control over published and unpublished material, the development of search strategies, and the evaluation of information sources. This is a prerequisite for all other sessions. 

• Overview of Session 1.
• Questions accompanying Session 1.

Session 2: Standard reference sources
Friday, January 10, 1997
Megan Mitchell, Reference Librarian
This session considers some traditional sources such as specialized encyclopedias, review articles, critical reviews, bibliographies, indexes, and abstracts. It emphasizes the diverse types of sources that can greatly aid one's search for information in fields with which one is unfamiliar. Assumed preparation: Session 1. 

• Handout for Session 2.
• Overview of Session 2
• Questions accompanying Session 2.

Session 3: How catalogs and databases are organized
Monday, January 13, 1997
John Sluk, Head of Monographs; Kathy Abromeit, Public Services Librarian, Conservatory Library
The development of library catalogs set the basic framework for modern database construction by establishing rules for describing bibliographic materials in a thorough, consistent manner. This session will focus on the structure and controlled vocabulary of machine readable cataloging records, with an emphasis on subject headings. Understanding these concepts is essential for effectively retrieving information from large electronic databases. The transferability of this knowledge across disciplines and databases will be stressed. Assumed preparation: Session 1. 

• Online presentation for Session 3 (contact John Sluk).

Session 4: Effective database searching
Wednesday, January 15, 1997
Cynthia Comer, Head of Reference; Paula Contreras, Reference Librarian
This session builds on the previous one by providing an overview of advanced techniques for searching databases. The application of set theory and Boolean logic to forming search statements will be covered in depth. Tips and techniques for finding relevant citations will also be included. This session should be attended by anyone who plans to attend sessions 5 or 6. OBIS and selected CD-ROM indexes will be used as working examples. Assumed preparation: Session 3. 

• Handout for Session 4.
• Lab Questions for Session 4.
• Outline for Session 4.

Session 5: Electronic indexes
Friday, January 17, 1997
Alison Ricker, Science Librarian; Haipeng Li, Reference Librarian
FirstSearch, other electronic bibliographic tools, and the CD-ROM network will be described and demonstrated. Pointers for improving search statements in order to obtain more relevant results will be given. Assumed preparation: Session 4. 

• Online presentation for Session 5
• Outline for Session 5.
• CD-Rom Questions for Session 5.
• FirstSearch, Eureka and UnCover Questions for Session 5.

Session 6: Lexis/Nexis and other full-text databases
Monday, January 20, 1997
Haipeng Li, Reference Librarian; Cynthia Comer, Head of Reference
Lexis/Nexis is a full-text database that contains legal, governmental business, and medical information, and also a large number of domestic and international news sources. It contains a wealth of information, but naive searches can result in so many hits that the researcher can waste hours wading through irrelevant information. This session will discuss both the contents of the database and appropriate search techniques. Other full-text resources will also be discussed. Assumed preparation: Session 4. 

• Online presentation for Session 6.
• Lexis/Nexis files handout for Session 6.
• Outline for Session 6.
• Lexis/Nexis commands handout

Session 7: Tools for searching the Web
Wednesday, January 22, 1997
Paula Contreras, Reference Librarian; Alison Ricker, Science Librarian
How does one find useful information on the World Wide Web? What are the main categories (for the present) of information on the Web and of tools for finding that information? How does one cope with tools and information sources that are evolving rapidly? This is not a session on how to use Netscape. It assumes some prior experience and discusses effective techniques and tools for finding information on the Web. Assumed preparation: Session 1. 

• Handout for Session 7.
• Outline for Session 7.
• Lab questions for Session 7.
• Demonstrated web sites for Session 7.

Session 8: Government documents
Friday, January 24, 1997
Megan Mitchell, Reference Librarian; Paula Contreras, Reference Librarian;
The U.S. government is the largest publisher in the world, collecting data and issuing reports on an astonishing range of topics. The Oberlin College library is a selective depository for U.S. government documents, which gives the College community access to a massive amount of information that can be difficult to identify and locate. This session discusses the range of government documents available, the tools for identifying them, and how to find them in our library and on the Web. Assumed preparation: Session 1. 

• Handout for Session 8.
• Outline for Session 8.

Session 9: Information literacy in the curriculum
Monday, Jaunary 27, 1997
Bob Geitz, et al.
This session will be devoted to a discussion of possible ways to incorporate into the curriculum the types of material treated in the previous sessions.

• Handout for Session 9.