Library Skills - Using the index page

Using an index

L.I. - Library/Research skills

Using an index to find information quickly

Most non-fiction books have an index.  Like a table of contents, it lists the books contents and relevant page numbers, but in much more detail.  It presents the topics in alphabetical order to help your search.  Below is an example from a health book.

INDEX aerobics                    2-14 breathing                 9-10 carbohydrates      36 co-ordination         20-25 cycling                       32 diet                              30-40 diseases                   45-65 doctor                       40-44 drinking                    63 drugs, harmful      70-75 drugs, medical       60-65 exercise                    11-20 fat                               35 fatigue                      76-79 good health            80-90 happy                       91-92 hospital                    40-44, 48-65 hygiene                    93-94

illness                           45-65 incapacitated           45-65 injuries                         60-65 inoculation                 96-98 lungs                             9-10, 60-64 medicine                      45-65, 96-98 mental illness            99-120 moods                          99-104 pharmacist                 60-65 physical activities     121-150 rest                                 151-155 self-discipline              115-120               smoking                       121-124 sport                             15-20 strength                      12-14 vigour                           140-150 vitamins                       64-65 weight                           30-35

Before you start highlight 4 words you don’t know and look them up in the dictionary.

incapacitated - to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength; make incapable or unfit disable.

fatigue - weariness from bodily or mental exertion.

carbohydrates - Any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy source in the diet of animals.

inoculation - the act or process of inoculating

Why are there two index entries for drugs?

drugs, harmful      70-75

drugs, medical       60-65

There are two index entries because if you take drugs it can affect your life.

Which two entries will help you find out about tiredness and how to cope?

moods                          99-104

rest                                 151-155

Which pages would you turn to in order to find out about injuries?

injuries                         60-65

Which two entries would you use to find out more about healthy eating?

good health            80-90

happy                       91-92

Which pages would you turn to in order to find out about the bad effects of smoking?

smoking                       121-124

On which pages would you find out about hospital life?

illness                           45-65

hospital                    40-44, 48-65

Why do you think there are two ranges of page numbers for lungs?

lungs                             9-10, 60-64

There are two ranges of page numbers because talking about your lungs are very important. Your lungs help you to breath.

On which pages would you find out more about the healthy effects of sport?

physical activities     121-150

sport                             15-20

exercise                    11-20

hygiene                    93-94

strength                      12-14