.Information Literacy in the Sciences

The Library Catalog is a searchable interface of the records of all the materials owned by the ISU Library. It includes an inventory of the library materials, including books, journals, electronic journal subscriptions, government documents, DVDs, videos, CDs, audio books, and software.

Use the Classic catalog as your first option for locating books, scores, microfilms, journal titles (but NOT articles), sound recordings, and videos owned by Indiana State University, as well as Web-based resources that are accessible via the catalog (electronic books and journals).

LIBRARY CATALOG SEARCH STRATEGY

Do not search the Library Catalog as if you are searching the Internet. Do not search the Library Catalog as if you are searching the Internet. The Library Catalog searches for words in a description of the books, not the full-text.

1. Do broad searches. If you want information about Serena Williams, also try searching for "tennis" or "sports." Books on those topics are likely to mention her, too.
2. Don't enter too many search words. You may miss a book because the description does not include all of the search words you used.
3. Don't enter search words that are too specific. You may miss a book because the description used a synonym instead of your search word.
4. Try more than one search. Experiment with different combinations of search words. 
5. Observe what words are used in the books you find on your topic. The description may suggest other search words for you to try.
6. Click on interesting Subjects in the record of the book. You may find more on the same Subject.
7. Read the record of the items in the Results. Maybe what you found is not a book. Maybe it is a video or a journal. Don't lose points on your assignment if you are required to use a book.
8. Don't use juvenile literature (children's materials) if not appropriate. The ISU Library does include children's books for young children.
9. Try searching using scientific terminology but also try common language terms. The Library Catalog is not a science database. 

Below are a few chemistry books that are useful for chemistry classes and assignments. 

Below are a few science books that are useful for biology classes and assignments. 

The ISU Library does not have the budget to purchase a book on EVERY health condition and disease. We own some books that compile information about a large number of diseases.

The two books below are intended to serve as reference books in a hospital or medical library for healthcare professionals to access when they need an overview of a health condition. Both books present information of health conditions in a standard format of Etiology, Symptoms and Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and more.

WorldCat is a database that allows you to search across multiple library catalogs around the world simultaneously. You may use it to find books and materials owned by other libraries and to identify which libraries hold those materials.

You may use ISU's Interlibrary Loan service (free for ISU students and employees) to have those books and physical items sent to the ISU Library for your use. Open a record and click Send ISU ILL request to ILLiad and login with your ISU username and password.