• If you need an overview to get your head around a topic, its easier and quicker to look in an encyclopedia like Encarta (whether that is a print or digital version).

• If you need a quick fact, location or quote use Reference books like Year Books, Atlases or Dictionaries.

• Whether you are using a set of encyclopaedias or a single book, use the index and contents to quickly zoom in on relevant information. Use the See and See also references. Scanning a list of Figures or Illustrations can take you straight to useful visual information.

• Always check the copyright date (usually on the back of the title page) to check how up-to-date the information is.

• Use the subject search on the catalogue to locate books on a topic that may have different call numbers e.g. books on Aboriginal people can be found in 299 (Aboriginal Dreaming), 305 (Aboriginal culture), 994.009 (Aboriginal history).

• When you look at the book record on the catalogue, find related items by clicking on the Subject and Series headings.

• Check the date published and ignore any that might pre-date your topic. (especially useful for historical topics)

• Don't expect to find all the information you need in a single book - scan the contents and index of a book and others on the shelf nearby with a similar call number.

If you don't know how to use the library catalogue or you can't seem to find what you are looking for, ask your friendly teacher librarian (or public librarian) for assistance!