Access Points

Information Competence

Introduction

Access Points

Contents

Keywords / Words

Subject

Author

Title

Call Numbers

Reference Sources

Indexes & Abstracts

Introduction to Access Points
(print and electronic)

Access points provide you with different ways to search for information. The major points of access are keyword, subject, author and title. These access points may vary depending on whether you use a print or electronic source.

In print sources, information is generally accessed from the table of contents or from indexes located in the back of books or journal volumes.

Here is an example of the table of contents and an entry from the subject index of a book on space stations and platforms:

Note that the table of contents provides you with a broad outline of what's covered in the book.

Note that the index provides more detailed access to the book's contents.

Access points in electronic catalogs will be discussed in the next section.