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glacierTraditionally, subject guides included print materials such as books, pamphlets, brochures, maps, photographs, and primary source documents. In the 70s and 80s, the word pathfinder became associated with bibliographies that included both print and nonprint materials such as audios, videos, filmstrips, transparencies, and kits. In the 90s, pathfinders began to include links to online resources such as websites, electronic database, and other outside resources.

Think of a pathfinder as a guide that leads the way to wonderful resources like the path in the photo leads to the beautiful Grinnell Glacier.

Today, a pathfinder includes all the resources that students or library patrons might find useful from primary source documents to local community members. It might contain Dewey Decimal numbers to locate materials in the library or URLs to locate materials on the Internet. In addition, it could include phone numbers, addresses, and email contacts for experts who might be able to address specific questions related to a topic.

eye means readRead Pathfinders: Helping Students Find Paths to Information by Kelly Kuntz from Information Today, Inc. (May/June 2003).

 

This page contains information on pathfinders. Use the following links to help you explore this page: Pathfinder Options, Collaboration, and Beyond Pathfinders.

Many libraries now maintain a collection of pathfinders on a wide range of topics.

Go to Pathfinders from Indianapolis Public Library. Explore the topics listed in alphabetical order.

Go to Pathfinders at Methuen High School. Notice the variety of topics.

 

Pathfinder Options

Although originally designed for research, pathfinders can serve many audiences and functions. They may also contain a wide range of materials.

Audiences

Pathfinders can be designed for a general or specific audience. Many public libraries design pathfinders for the general public. These are often written at the fourth or fifth grade reading level so they can be accessed by all patrons.

Go to Genealogy Pathfinder from Morton Grove Public Library. Notice that this pathfinder starts with lots of information to help patrons with their investigation.

Schools often develop pathfinders for students and their teachers. These pathfinders sometimes are divided into sections for different grade levels or reading levels.

Go to We Are Different: We Are the Same and The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963. Notice that these pathfinder was designed for use with the novel studies.

Some pathfinders are designed for a local audience. While others are aimed at the general public.

Go to Gun Control from Morton Grove Public Library. Notice that gun control is a hot topic in the Village of Morton Grove.

Functions

Pathfinders can be used for answering questions, conducting research, exploring thematic topics, or learning about a topic. For example, many public libraries develop pathfinders for commonly asked questions or areas of interests. For example, you might find a pathfinder on "finding a job" or "gourmet cooking".

Go to Cookbooks and Employment Resources from Camden County Library. Notice the book and website resources.

Pathfinders can be designed for people conducting research on topics from genealogy to oceanography. They can also be used to explore a theme or issue such as poverty or the Westward movement. Some pathfinders are designed for educators and include links to lesson plans, activities, and assignment guidelines.

Go to College Search Pathfinder. This page was designed specifically for high school juniors and seniors.

Resources

Many librarians design pathfinders to go with the materials in their specific library. In other words, they go through the library catalog and choose materials such as magazines, books, videos and maps found in their collection. They may also add outside resources that could be accessed through the library such as websites and databases.

Go to the Pathfinders from Newbery Elementary. Notice the resources they provide with their pathfinders.

Use the following lists for ideas:

Site-based resources

Web-based resources

Go to Science Fairs from Exploratorium. Notice all the different types of resources provided.

Although originally intended to include all available formats of materials, many people are designing pathfinders specifically for the web. In other words, they contain organized links to web-based materials.

 

Collaboration

Some of the most effective pathfinders are developed as part of a collaborative effort with librarians, teachers, parents, community members, and even students. These people can help identify the characteristics of the audience and the pathfinder need. They can also make contributions or suggestions for resources or associated activities.

Teacher and librarian collaborations are essential for effective use of in and out of library resources. Many schools and libraries encourage this type of collaboration by providing a link on the library website to a "request for pathfinder." Librarians can then follow-up with the patron or teacher.

Go to Teacher: Request a Pathfinder from Lakewood Public Library. Notice their request page.

Go to Quest Pathfinders. Explore student developed pathfinders. Explore the rubric used to evaluate the projects.

Get your students involved with pathfinder development. Projects can be guided with a traditional assignment or webquest format.

eye means readRead The Student Pathfinder from LearnNC. By creating pathfinders, students use 21st century learning skills to map their own route through the information wilderness.

Go to Novel Study Pathfinder Project. Explore this pathfinder project assignment for AP English.

 

Beyond Pathfinders

Many people are designing web-based environments that apply features of pathfinders. For example, the 42eXplore project at eduScapes focuses on organized, annotated lists of web-based resources. However, it also contains definitions, background information, activities, and vocabulary. Rather than simply listing research topic information, the 42eXplore projects also provide educational materials such as webquests, lessons, and unit ideas.

Some libraries are bundling materials together in backpacks or bags.

Go to Family Literacy Backpack Project from BUDDY. Explore their backpack project. Consider ways you could duplicate the idea.

eye means readRead the article On the Trail with Lewis and Clark by Kate Houston Mitchoff from School Library Journal. Notice how this pathfinder is written like an article.

 

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