Kids InfoBits
What is it for?
This database is aimed at students and has articles from various sources on a wide variety of topics.
How do I get to it?
1. Start at the Grafton Public Library homepage. Click Online and Digital Resources from the menu on the left.
2. Scroll down to "Kids InfoBits".
3. Click on Kids InfoBits.
4. If you are asked for a login or password, type in your library barcode number.
How does it work? Try it out!
At the top of the screen is the search box. Type MASSACHUSETTS and click Search. You will get a list of subjects that contain your search term. Click View under the first item. On the results screen are tabs for Reference; Magazines; Newspapers; Maps, Flags & Seals; Charts & Graphs, and Images.
On the results list are some symbols to make selecting articles easier. Reading level is specified, a camera graphic lets you know the article contains a picture, and the column on the far right tells you what kind of article it is.
Click on the article title to get the full text. From that screen you can print it or email it. Printouts in the library cost 10˘ a page. If you email it, the article should be in your mailbox within minutes.
Notice the little checkboxes beside each article in the citation list and also on the article page. By putting checkmarks in the boxes you can save articles that look promising. Once you select an article, a link appears in the top right corner – Look in My Backpack. Click it to see the articles you have marked.
There is an Advanced Search, which lets you type in more than one search term and specify the fields. You can also limit by date, document type, and reading level.
At the top of each screen are links for a dictionary (Merriam-Webster’s Elementary Dictionary) and a teacher toolbox. The toolbox is not only for teachers. It has helpful information on choosing a research topic, evaluating information, organizing a report, and citing sources, among other things.
InfoMarks
This database is aimed at students and has articles from various sources on a wide variety of topics.
How do I get to it?
1. Start at the Grafton Public Library homepage. Click Online and Digital Resources from the menu on the left.
2. Scroll down to "Kids InfoBits".
3. Click on Kids InfoBits.
4. If you are asked for a login or password, type in your library barcode number.
How does it work? Try it out!
At the top of the screen is the search box. Type MASSACHUSETTS and click Search. You will get a list of subjects that contain your search term. Click View under the first item. On the results screen are tabs for Reference; Magazines; Newspapers; Maps, Flags & Seals; Charts & Graphs, and Images.
On the results list are some symbols to make selecting articles easier. Reading level is specified, a camera graphic lets you know the article contains a picture, and the column on the far right tells you what kind of article it is.
Click on the article title to get the full text. From that screen you can print it or email it. Printouts in the library cost 10˘ a page. If you email it, the article should be in your mailbox within minutes.
Notice the little checkboxes beside each article in the citation list and also on the article page. By putting checkmarks in the boxes you can save articles that look promising. Once you select an article, a link appears in the top right corner – Look in My Backpack. Click it to see the articles you have marked.
There is an Advanced Search, which lets you type in more than one search term and specify the fields. You can also limit by date, document type, and reading level.
At the top of each screen are links for a dictionary (Merriam-Webster’s Elementary Dictionary) and a teacher toolbox. The toolbox is not only for teachers. It has helpful information on choosing a research topic, evaluating information, organizing a report, and citing sources, among other things.
InfoMarks
You may have noticed a little blue ball with a yellow “i” on it on most screens. This is an InfoMark. You can click one to get more information, but basically if you see a screen with one, you can bookmark the page for use later. InfoMarks are useful for making pathfinders, saving searches for later, or assisting with school projects where many students will be looking for similar information. You can bookmark the articles or results list instead of doing the search each time. If you are using the database outside the library and you bookmark a page, you will need to sign in to Kids InfoBits with your library card number to get back to the articles.
Other Searches
Go back to the main screen. Instead of typing something into the search box, you can use the graphics to find information on broad topics. Keep clicking until you get to articles.
Help
Help is available at the top of each screen.
Other Searches
Go back to the main screen. Instead of typing something into the search box, you can use the graphics to find information on broad topics. Keep clicking until you get to articles.
Help
Help is available at the top of each screen.