Finding Tools
Robyn Hartman
In information literacy, finding tools are the things that help you locate information resources. They can be online or physical systems or platforms that connect you with resources, and can range from simple search bars to robust and specialized academic databases. Keep in mind that the finding tools do not evaluate or analyze information; they just help you locate it.
Later chapters will go into further detail on how to search strategically using different types of finding tools.
A quick guide to how information‑finding tools have evolved over time
Ancient Times – 1500s: Early Library Lists. People kept handwritten lists of scrolls or books to know what was in a library.
1500s – 1800s: Printed Bibliographies. Scholars began compiling printed lists of books on various subjects.
Mid‑1800s: Card Catalogs. Libraries began using card catalogs—drawers full of cards with information about books.
Late 1800s – 1900s: Print Indexes. Printed tools like the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature helped people find magazine and journal articles before computers existed.
1970s – 1990s: Online Library Catalogs (OPACs). Libraries replaced card catalogs with computer‑based catalogs.
1980s – 2000s: Online Databases. Specialized online tools such as JSTOR and PubMed were created to help students and researchers search for scholarly articles more easily.
1990s – Today: Web Search Engines. The Internet became searchable with early tools like Yahoo! and later Google, making it fast and easy to look up almost anything online.
2000s – Today: Library Discovery Tools. Libraries created single search boxes (like Primo or EBSCO Discovery Service) that search books, articles, and media simultaneously.
2010s – Today: AI‑Powered Search. Modern search tools use AI to understand your questions, suggest topics, and help you find information faster.
Types of Finding Tools
| What They Do | What to Use them For | Examples | |
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| General Search Engines | Search the public web broadly and quickly across billions of websites. Return results based on the keywords found in the content, rather than relevant content. |
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| Artificial Intelligence | Use artificial intelligence to interpret natural-language questions, synthesize information from multiple sources, and identify patterns. |
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| Library Discovery Layers | Search across many library resources at once using a single search box. |
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| Library Catalogs | Show what a library owns or provides access to. |
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| What They Do | What to Use them For | Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Databases | Provide access to subject‑specific or scholarly materials. |
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| Indexes & Abstracting Services | List citations and abstracts without always providing full text. |
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| Format-Specific Finding Tools | Search specialized types of content. |
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Your local public library
Your local public library can be a valuable resource for books, technology, study space, and research help- especially if you are a distance or online student.
To find a library near you, search online for “public library near me” or enter your city and state along with the words “public library.” Most library websites include information about locations, hours, library cards, online resources, and services. If you live in a rural area, check your county or regional library system.
Once you find a library, contact the staff. They can often help you access books, databases, interlibrary loan services, and other resources that support your coursework.
Chapter Attribution:
LIS Academy. (2024). Evolution of library catalogues: From physical to OPAC. https://lis.academy/organising-and-managing-information/evolution-library-catalogues-physical-to-opac
Ramos, A. (2023). The history of Google AI and how it affects SEO today. DMAnc.org. https://dmanc.org/the-history-of-google-ai-and-how-it-affects-seo-today/
Wikipedia. (2024). Library catalog. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_catalog
Wikipedia. (2024). Timeline of Google Search. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Google_Search
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