Welcome to Sussman Library

Library Hours

Mondays

Before School 7:30 – 7:55 am

Snack 10:34 – 10:49 am

Lunch 12:31 – 1:01 pm

After School 2:44 – 3:10 pm

Tuesdays / Thursdays

Before School 7:30 – 7:55 am

Snack 9:30 – 9:42 am

Lunch 12:44 – 1:14 pm

After School 2:44 – 3:10 pm

Wednesdays / Fridays

Before School 7:30 – 7:55 am

Snack 9:45 – 10:00 am

Lunch 11:29 – 11:59 pm

After School 1:30 – 3:00 pm

sora app

Get instant access to ebooks and audiobooks with SORA. Use your student information to login.

Library check out desk
book shelves
Computer Lab
Library work desks
Lounge Area

Information Literacy

Online Research

MLA & Citation Sources

Meet Your Librarian

Book Suggestions

What is Information Literacy?

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Informationally literate students are able to…

  • Determine the extent of information needed
  • Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
  • Evaluate information and its sources critically
  • Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
  • Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

-American Library Association

Resources for Fact Checking

Reading News Online

How to Choose Your News

How False News Can Spread

How to Spot Fake News

Reading News Online

How to Choose Your News

How False News Can Spread

How to Spot Fake News

Breaking News Consumer’s Handbook: Fake News Edition

    1. Big red flags for fake news: ALL CAPS, or obviously photoshopped pictures.
    2. A glut of pop-ups and banner ads? Good sign the story is pure clickbait.
    3. Check the domain! Fake sites often add “.co” to trusted brands to steal their luster. (Think: “abcnews.com.co”)
    4. If you land on an unknown site, check its “About” page. Then, Google the word “fake” and see what comes up.
    5. If a story offers links, follow them. (Garbage leads to worse garbage.) No links, quotes, or references? Another telltale sign
    6. Verify an unlikely story by finding a reputable outlet reporting the same thing.
    7. Check the date. Social media often resurrects outdated stories.
    8. Read past headlines. Often they bear no resemblance to what lies beneath.
    9. Photos may be misidentified and dated. Use a reverse image search engine like TinEye to see where an image really comes from.
    10. Gut check. If a story makes you angry, it’s probably designed that way.
    11. Finally, if you’re not sure it’s true, don’t share it! Don’t. Share. It.
Same information as on the left

Online Research

The library has a subscription to databases that you can access anytime, anywhere! See Mrs. Walker in the library for the password.

Britannica School

britannica school

Need help with research? Find articles, videos and more!

school.eb.com

Britannica Escolar

britannica escolar

¿Necesitas ayuda con la investigación? Encuentre artículos, videos y más.

escolar.eb.com

Wonderopolis

wonderopolis

Discover the latest Wonders from arts & culture, sports, entertainment, games and more with Wonderopolis!

Gale in Context: Middle School

gale logo

Research and learn with thousands of credible and trustworthy primary and secondary sources.

Gale Virtual Reference Library

night sky background

A database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.

link.gale.com

Gale Virtual Library (Mental Health)

image of books in a library

Find Mental Health Resources (Password: school)

Gale Interactive Science

interactive science

Research science topics to see and explore in-depth interactive 3D models along with related articles.

link.gale.com

Click Search for another location

Gale Earth Science

Earth Science

Browse research topics affecting Earth Today. Find articles, videos, and more from accurate sources. 

link.gale.com

Click Search for another location

I.C.E. | Cite Sources Like a Pro

Introduce your quotation

Introducing your expert or sources is important for readers because it shows the source is legitimate. In other words, if you are writing about a medical topic, it would make sense that you would gather information from medical journals, databases and medical professionals. 

  • Using a signal phrase helps introduce your expert material into your sentences and paragraphs in a smooth and coherent way.

Cite your quotation

Citing your sources means that you have given credit to the original author or agency that wrote the material.

  • Follow this rule of thumb: “If in doubt, cite it.”
  • What should be cited?
    • Cite anything that is quoted word for word directly from the original source.
    • Cite anything that is paraphrased from the original source.
    • Cite all tables, figures, maps, and etc.
    • Cite anything from electronic sources off the internet
    • Cite any interviews
  • Examples:
    • “By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production.” (Williams 20)

Explain your quotation

Tell your reader what the quotation/fact/data means with regard to your topic and how they relate to your thesis statement.

Key thought: Why is this important and what does it have to do with my main point?

Citation Resources

OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University will help you format your paper in MLA style!
OWL logo
In Text Citations for Beginners
Using Citations Effectively
Choosing and Using Quotations
How to Know If a Source Is Reliable
MLA Style Citing

Meet Your Librarian

Hi! My name is Miss Walker and I am the Teacher Librarian at Sussman Middle School. This is my fourth year being a librarian and I am looking forward to the rest of the year. Prior to being a librarian, I was a Science Teacher for three years. I have a degree in Biological Sciences and a Masters in Library and Information Science. Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions.

*Don’t forget to check out the library’s Canvas page for more great resources.

Email: mawalker@dusd.net

Michelle Walker

Home of the Pioneers | Write Here! Write Now!