Catalog Quest Slides Catalog Quest
Mastering the Art of the Search
What is a Catalog?
The catalog is our library's digital map. It tells us:
WHAT books we have in the library.
WHERE they are on the shelf (Call Number).
IF they are checked in or out.
Library OPAC
(Online Public Access Catalog)
How Do I Search?
Author
Search by the person who wrote the book.
Ex: Dav Pilkey
Title
Search by the name of the book.
Ex: The Bad Guys
Subject
Search for books about a specific topic.
Ex: Dogs, Space, Cooking
Series
Search for books in a connected set.
Ex: Harry Potter
The Call Number
The Call Number is like a book's "home address."
Pro Tip:
Once you find the book in the catalog, write down the Call Number so you can find it on the shelf!
BOOK
FIC KIN
Spine Label
Is it Here?
IN / AVAILABLE
The book is sitting on the shelf waiting for you!
OUT / CHECKED OUT
Someone else is reading it. Check back later!
Mission Check
If I want to find books about Sharks, which search should I use?
A) Author Search
B) Subject Search
C) Series Search
D) Title Search
Quest Time!
It's time to test your skills. Grab your Quest Sheet and find a computer. The library catalog is waiting!
Search
Record
Find
Library Laws Poster Library Legends
Schedule & Rules
Our Day
1
Check-In
Return your books and scan them in.
2
Story Time
Listen, learn, and discuss together.
3
The Search
Find your next great adventure!
4
Checkout
Scan your books and take them home.
Rules
Whisper Voices
Keep the library quiet for readers.
Walking Feet
Safety first in the stacks!
Clean Hands
Take care of our books.
Shelf Markers
Always hold the spot on the shelf.
"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life."
Catalog Cracker Activity Catalog Cracker
Mission: Navigate the OPAC and solve the case!
NAME:
DATE:
HOW TO PLAY:
Use the library computer to search for the books listed below.
Write the Call Number you find in the search results.
Cut out the Location Labels from the bottom and paste them in the correct box!
01
Search Type: Title
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy
CALL #:
Paste Location Label
02
Search Type: Subject
"Ancient Egypt"
Pick ANY book on this subject.
CALL #:
Paste Location Label
03
Search Type: Author
Shel Silverstein
Pick any book by this author.
CALL #:
Paste Location Label
04
Search Type: Series
Harry Potter
Find the call number for book #1.
CALL #:
Paste Location Label
Cut Here
FICTION
NON-FICTION
POETRY / 800s
GRAPHIC NOVEL
"Great job, detective! Once you've found the call numbers and pasted the labels, show your teacher and go find one of these books on the shelf!"
Critique Corner Organizer Critique Corner
Record your thoughts on your latest read!
LEGEND NAME:
DATE:
Book Title
Author
Star Rating
Color in the stars!
Brief Summary
What happened in this book? What was it about?
My Favorite Part
Describe a scene, character, or fact you loved!
Legendary Recommendation?
Would you recommend this to a fellow Library Legend?
YES!
MAYBE NOT
Quest Facilitator Guide Quest Facilitation Guide
Teacher / Librarian Resource
Target Grade
3rd - 5th Grade
Duration
45 Minutes
Prep Level
Medium
Pacing & Flow
10 MIN
Introduction & Direct Instruction
Use the Catalog Quest Slides to introduce the OPAC. Focus on Title vs. Subject searching—students often confuse these.
05 MIN
Guided Demo
Project your library's specific catalog and perform one search (e.g., search for "Dogs"). Show where the Call Number is located in the UI.
20 MIN
The Catalog Cracker Quest
Distribute the activity sheet. Students will need scissors and glue for the categorization part. Circulate to help with spelling in the search bar.
10 MIN
Checkout & Reviews
Students find a book to borrow and use the Critique Corner Organizer if they have finished a book from the previous week.
Common Pitfalls
Spelling: Remind students that the computer is "picky" and needs correct spelling to find results.
In vs. Out: Check that students are looking at the "Status" or "Availability" column, not just the title.
Spine Labels: Explain that "FIC" stands for Fiction and the letters beneath are the author's first three letters.
Prep Checklist
Load slides on smartboard
Copy Quest Sheets (1 per student)
Scissors and glue sticks
Check library computers are on