Overview

Searching American Memory is challenging. In this activity we will further develop our own knowledge and skill in searching the collections, and develop strategies for helping students search them as well.

Objectives

At the end of this activity participants will be able to:

• Describe what makes American Memory difficult to search
• Successfully locate documents on topics of interest in a variety of collections, using the full range of search and browse options available
• Describe the value of searching collections for students, and also the difficulties
• Describe concrete ways of providing support for students in searching

Activities

1. Introduction: Big Ideas to Keep in Mind (10 minutes)

• American Memory is a collection of collections.
• Each collection has its own history. They are managed and organized by different Library of Congress divisions. Each is different to search.
• You have to be flexible, creative, and persistent.
• Try as many search approaches as possible: search a group of collections by topic/format search all collections search an individual collection.
• Be open to serendipitous entry points that don't even feel like searching
• Search engines are only one means of finding material. Browse subject headings. Use other guided entry points (Pathfinders, Collection Finder, etc.).

2. Demo/Modeling Or, 50 Ways to Search American Memory (20 minutes)

Presenter demonstrates the multiplicity of search methods by looking for materials on square dancing:

3. Hands-on Search Activities (see Search Problems that follow) (60 minutes)

With a partner you will undertake:

1. Scaffolded search problem
2. Two to three search problems where groups determine search strategy

4. Small-group discussion: Students as searchers (30 minutes)

In groups of 6-8, gather to do the following:

• Compare search strategies and search experiences.
• Culminating questions to discuss:

  What is the value of teaching students to search?

  How would you approach teaching students to search?

First Search Problem: Searching for Street Vendors

Find information about street vendors for a presentation on the history of American business and commerce.

Pathfinder Search

1. Go to the Learning Page. Click on Search Help. Look for "street vendors" in the People and Topics Pathfinders.
2. Look for other subject terms in People and Topics that might lead you to collections with photographs or information about street vendors. Click on the words you select. A list of American Memory collections will be displayed. Be sure to look at any see also references.
3. Select two or three of the collections and begin your search for street vendors.

   Which collections did you select?

   Which one worked best for this topic?

   Why do you think so?

Collection Search

1. Go to American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940

   Click on Search by Keywords. Think of keywords that you can use to search for information about street vendors. Enter them in the search box and click on Search. Notice that you can select how the words are searched by matching any of the words, all of the words, or the exact phrase.

2. Go to Touring Turn-of-the-Century America: Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, 1880-1920

   Click on Search by Keywords. Enter your keywords in the search box and click on Search. Notice again that you can select how the words are searched by matching any of the words, all of the words, or the exact phrase.

   Now click on Browse the Subject Index. Try to find information about street vendors using this method.

Second Search Problem: The Games Children Played

What kinds of games did children play in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? What toys did they play with?

1. With your partner, select a search strategy to find resources on this topic. Keep in mind the following methods:

• Collection Finder
  Broad topics
  Time
  Place
  Original format
  User's format

• Single collection (click on List All Collections, then select Show Titles and Descriptions)

  Multiple ways to search within a single collection:

  1. Keyword search
  2. Index search (e.g., subject, author, title, performer, place, etc.)

  Keep an eye out for the unique search features of some collections

• Learning Page

  Pathfinder searches (Events, People, Places, Time, and Topics)

  Learn More About It for help in selecting a collection to search (not available for all collections)

   

• Search all collections

  Narrow the universe of your search by deselecting some of the collections listed

2. Search until you are satisfied with your results. Keep a log of your procedure. What worked best for you? What didn't work?

Third Search Problem: Sources of Hope in the Depression

Find evidence to support a thesis that "Americans found a variety of sources of hope and comfort during the Great Depression."

1. With your partner, select a search strategy to find resources on this topic. Keep in mind the following methods:

• Collection Finder
  Broad topics
  Time
  Place
  Original format
  User's format

• Single collection (click on List All Collections, then select Show Titles and Descriptions)

  Multiple ways to search within a single collection:

  1. Keyword search
  2. Index search (e.g., subject, author, title, performer, place, etc.)

  Keep an eye out for the unique search features of some collections

• Learning Page

  Pathfinder searches (Events, People, Places, Time, and Topics)

  Learn More About It for help in selecting a collection to search (not available for all collections)

   

• Search all collections

  Narrow the universe of your search by deselecting some of the collections listed

2. Search until you are satisfied with your results. Keep a log of your procedure. What worked best for you? What didn't work?

American Memory Collections Search Log

Title of collection you are searching: _______________________________ 

Topic you want to find information about: ___________________________ 
 
 
 

1. Search terms you start with: 
 
 
 

2. Other search terms you try: 
 
 
 

3. What problems did you have with the search? 
 
 
 

4. What problems did you have selecting materials to look at more closely? 
 
 
 

5. What worked well for you in this process?