Author: Dorothy Frechette

November 2008

What's in a name? Library media specialists are also teachers. As teacher librarians we teach the information process, understand the uses of technology, select and use a wide variety of materials, and work in partnership with classroom teachers using books, information and technology.

In search of the elusive book...
Your library’s catalog at www.ricat.net is not only a guide to what’s in your school’s collection, but can provide a way for you to find and ask for books and materials that are owned by other members of the RILINK network. There are several ways to do this.

Search the collections of other RILINK member libraries on RICAT. Most libraries have a drop-down option for searching on their catalog page.

growing up in the civil war

Before you search for the item you want, use the drop–down list to select all of RICAT, or a subset of libraries by grade level.

Ask your librarian to request a copy of the book for you. If your librarian has given you a username and password, and you have logged in, you will have the option to Hold It!
This sends the request to the
attention of your librarian,
who will forward it for you.

Clink on the title that interests you.

To request one of the copies available in another library, click on Hold It.

more

The school library media center - where information is available in a wide variety of formats, both print and electronic; where materials and activities are coordinated with classroom assignments; and where students learn information skills that will prepare them to live and work in the 21st century.

Ask your librarian to check the holdings of other Rhode Island libraries for you. You can also check them yourself at www.olis.ri.gov/libraries/ If you find what you are looking for, your librarian

What if we still can’t find it?
Through its membership in the statewide library network, your library can ask OLIS to look for the book beyond Rhode Island, using the world wide catalog of books and other materials from OCLC.
What if I need a magazine article instead of book?
Using OCLC’s First Search through a subscription provided by OLIS to all library members of the statewide library network, your librarian also has access to online magazine indexes and many articles in full text. Your librarian can email, print out, or request these for you if the full text is not available online. Here is a sample of the resources available through First Search:

What if I just need information about a particular topic, but I’m not sure where to find it?
Your librarian is the best person to help you find the information that you are looking for, using all of the resources that are available in the library, online, and through the libray’s membership in the statewide library network. They can also ask the staff at the Statewide Reference Resource Center at the Providence Public Library to compile information on a particular subject, which will be sent through the delivery system, right to your library.

ArticleFirst - index of journal articles
BioDigest - Life-science info written in a non-technical style
ERIC
FactSearch - Facts and statistics of current interest
GEOBASE - Worldwide geography, geology, and ecology
GPO - U.S. government publications
MediaRevDigest - Reviews of educational media resources
MEDLINE
PsycFIRST - Psychology and related fields
SIRSResearcher - Social, scientific, economic, and political issues worldwide
WilsonSelectPlus - Full text articles in science, humanities, education and business
WorldAlmanac

RILINK is a cooperative effort by Rhode Island school libraries to share their resources through an interactive, web-based catalog of library materials. RILINK serves over 34% of Rhode Island public school students, providing access to more than 1 million books and other materials in member libraries.

Teacher Librarian is published by the
Rhode Island Library Information Network for Kids

can send a request for the item, which will be delivered to your library. The state Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS), provides delivery services to libraries of all kinds, that are members of the statewide library network.

What if the book that I’m looking for is not at any RILINK library?