The Library as a Research Tool
Understand how libraries are organized and how to use them for research.
Libraries use a numbering system called the Dewey Decimal System to organize nonfiction books by topic. Books about animals might be in the 590s; books about history in the 900s.
How Libraries Organize Information
Libraries organize books and materials so you can find them efficiently. Nonfiction books are organized by subject using the Dewey Decimal System. Fiction books are organized alphabetically by the author's last name.
Using the Library Catalog
The library catalog is a searchable database of everything in the library. You can search by title, author, subject, or keyword. The catalog tells you where to find each item on the shelf.
Libraries have a special reference section with encyclopedias, atlases, and almanacs. These are great starting points for research because they give you an overview of a topic.
- Encyclopedia: overview of many topics
- Atlas: maps and geographic information
- Almanac: facts, statistics, and yearly data
- Dictionary/Thesaurus: word definitions and synonyms
Ready to test your knowledge?
3 questions · Grade 2 level