Using Resource Pathfinders
In the School Library to Support Curriculum
What are Pathfinders?
Pathfinders are electronic subject bibliographies that showcase high-quality resources.
Pathfinders may also be referred to as subject gateways or webliographies. Pathfinders are
consolidated lists created by librarians/teacher-librarians, containing links to selected electronic
resources.
Pathfinders often attempt to list sites with high-quality content, whose website creators have
authority within their subject areas, which are maintained / updated on a regular basis, which
allow users to be able to make effective use of the sites, which are available consistently, and
which provide significant content without a fee.
Adapted from: Pathfinder. San Barardino County Library. <http://www.sbcounty.gov/library/WebLibrary/Pathfinder/
Pathfinder.htm>.
Pathfinders Defined:
Traditionally, 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 non-print 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.
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.
Source: Lamb, Annette, and Larry Johnson. Pathfinders Defined. Electronic Materials for Children and Young
Adults. May 2004 <http://www.eduscapes.com/earth/path2.html>.
For Students:
A pathfinder is a guide for researchers. Pathfinders have been used in libraries for many years to
save researchers time, and to help them avoid frustrating dead ends. By creating a web-based
pathfinder, in addition to learning about the particular resources for the topic you are exploring,
you are also performing a service to your fellow students and our library. Creating a pathfinder
will demonstrate your searching skills and your ability to discern quality information sources.
Your annotations should justify the placement of a resource on the pathfinder.
Source: Valenza, Joyce. Template for Creating Pathfinders. 3 Nov. 2004 <http://mciu.org/~spjvweb/pathfinder.html>
M. Rosettis © 2004
Resource Pathfinders
Useful Tools:
http://home.wsd.wednet.edu/pathfinders/path.htm
A Pathfinder for Constructing Pathfinders
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/librarian.html
Awesome Library: Education Directory for Librarians
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/
Blue Web’N: a library of Blue Ribbon learning sites on the Web
http://www.eduscapes.com/earth/path3.html
Designing Pathfinders for Children and Young Adults
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/
Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/
Kid’s Click!
http://lii.org/
Librarian’s Index to the Internet
http://www.nwrel.org/sky/index.asp
Library in the Sky
http://vlib.org/
The WWW Virtual Library
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/
Yahooligans!
Pathfinder Examples:
http://42explore.com/
42explore: Thematic Pathfinders for All Ages
http://www.camden.lib.nj.us/reference/subject.htm
Camden County Library System: Subject Guides
http://www.plc.vic.edu.au/Library/curlink.htm
Curriculum Links: PLC Melbourne (Presbyterian Ladies’ College)
http://www.eduscapes.com/earth/path4.html#6
Electronic Materials for Children and Young Adults: Pathfinder Links
M. Rosettis © 2004
Pathfinder Examples: (continued)
http://www.hpl.ca/internet/index.shtml
Hamilton Public Library: Internet Research
http://pio.wsd.wednet.edu/library/body/bodypf.html
Human Body Systems: a Pathfinder for Science Students
http://infozone.imcpl.org/kids_pathfinders.htm
Indianapolis Marion County Public Library
http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/
Internet Public Library: Pathfinders
http://nb.wsd.wednet.edu/lmc/pathfinders/pathfinder.htm
John Newberry Elementary School: Pathfinders Index K-5
http://www.kpr.edu.on.ca/BoardInfo/Services/Educ/LRC/index.htm
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board: Learning Resources Centre
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/caninfo/ecaninfo.htm
Library and Archives Canada: Canadian Information by Subject
http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/Schools/Manchester_HS/Library/pathfinders.htm
Manchester High School Library: Project Pathfinders
http://www.mcgill.ca/blackader/guides/
McGill Libraries and Collections: Subject Guides (Library Pathfinders)
http://www.multcolib.org/homework/index.html
Multnomah County Library: Homework Center
http://rosaweb.chclc.org/library/rosa_international_middle_school.htm
Rosa International Middle School: Gr. 6-8
http://www.sbcounty.gov/library/WebLibrary/Pathfinder/Pathfinder.htm
San Barnardino County Library
http://mciu.org/~spjvweb/pathmenu.html
Springfield Township High School Virtual Library
http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca/KidsSpace/net/homework.htm
Toronto Public Library: Homework Helpers – Pathfinders + Canadian Links
http://www3.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/wjhs/mediactr/resproj2.html
Walter Johnson Media Centre: Research Pathfinders
http://www.library.yorku.ca/homepage.htm
York University  click on Subject research guides
M. Rosettis © 2004