I. Introductions

• People
• UCI TEC and facilities
• Break in Room 110

II. Purpose of workshop

• Learn different methods of locating governement information and which method might be appropriate for different types of questions
• Become familiar with methods of evaluating web pages
• Introduce some of the major resources for all levels of government and allow time to evaluate their uses
• Gain knowledge of the types of information available (or not available) from government agency web sites.
• Become familiar with the UCI Government Information Homepage as a possible site to begin searches
• Familiarize class with problems they might encounter
• Provide a resource for librarians in Orange County that can assist them after the class.
• Offer a means of practice and experimentation after the class.

III. Methods

• Each person will chose a broad topic from the FAQ's to use with each method. By staying with the specific topic, each method of locating information can be evaluated against the other for value, ease of use, etc.
• Using the Locating Government Information web site, experience each method by following along with the instructor who will demonstrate each method. Class will try the method with their own topic.
• Using the supplied form, they will do a quick evaluation of the method.
• In the process of demonstration and discussion, introduce potential problems they might encounter: URL changes; special software needed; zip drives for large files; sites which are not free; different homepage organization, etc.
• As time permits, discussions of their searches, results and methods will be provided.
• After class, using the evaluation of web sites information, individuals can evaluate the web pages discovered through their own searches.
• A follow-up session will be held where their questions can be asked and answered by instructor. Discussions on successes, favorites, methods can also take place.

III. Background information
These resources will be used in the class and can be utilized after the class for continued exploration and learning.

• Introduction to the UCI and Government Information Homepages (http://www.uci.lib.edu)
• Introduction to the Locating Government Information web site (http://sun3.lib.uci.edu/~kcollins/locating.html)
• Introduction to Evaluating Resources and Evaluation Form (http://sun3.lib.uci.edu/~kcollins/evaluating.html)
• List of questions to chose from for the class, ones used in FAQs (http://sun3.lib.uci.edu/~kcollins/faqs.html)

IV. Module 1: UCI Libraries Government Information Homepage, by broad subjects.

• By level of government, then,
• By subject

V. Module 2: FAQ's

• Mirror ways to search UCI Government Information Homepage
• By subject, then,
• By level of government

VI. Module 3: By broad subjects on a few selected major search sites, by level of government:

• INFOMINE (good for all levels of government)
• U.S.: FDLP Electronic Collection
• California: California Homepage
• International: GODORT
• Orange County: OC Home Page

VII. Module 4: By search engines

• Some good for government information
• Major search engines, directories, web crawlers, etc.

VIII. Module 5. Finding full-text web publications

• MELVYL
• Agency homepages

IX. Databases available to search to identify publications and sources of information

• Each one is different
• Select by subject of search
• Be sure to read What is contained in the database and How to search it.
• Some may include full text of publications
• Can then search catalogs of libraries to see if it is held locally, or, can try to purchase if still in print.