Navigating a vastly expanding, increasingly complex ocean of information is a challenge for all citizens of the world. Those who are information literate will successfully meet this challenge by applying the practical and critical thinking skills needed to identify, access, evaluate and use information. Finding appropriate information helps an individual answer questions, solve problems, make decisions, and expand his/her knowledge.

In collaboration with classroom teachers, the professional staff of the Library Media Center provides information literacy instruction and guidance as students conduct authentic research for school assignments. Students learn increasingly sophisticated information literacy skills as they progress through the curriculum.
To support student research, the Library Media Center provides appropriate printed materials, electronic information access, and audio-visual resources.

Proficiency in reading is essential for information literacy and is a foundation for learning in all disciplines. Reading skills become more critical as students approach their formal education after high school and prepare for satisfying, productive lives. To promote reading literacy and reading for pleasure we maintain an updated collection of interesting young adult fiction.

We support each Pius student in the journey to become a confident, competent participant in the world of information and ideas.

Students: Useful Links
If you need help with a research assignment or with finding an answer to a personal question, please stop by the library and talk to Mrs. Roney or Mrs. Christopherson. The following links may also help you understand the research process, evaluate information, avoid plagiarism and correctly document your sources.

Research Help:
Internet Public Library A+ research and writing guide
http://www.ipl.org/div/teen/aplus/stepfirst.htm

Bare Bones 101: a basic tutorial on searching the web
http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/bones.shtml

Phillips Academy Andover – Oliver Wendell Holmes Library – Web page evaluation
http://www.andover.edu/library/rprocess/rprocesssteps.htm#gatherinfo

The Writing Center—University of Wisconsin, Madison
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook

Online Writing Lab at Purdue University:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/#research

Duke University Libraries:
http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/home.htm

Landmark’s Citation Machine, a fill-in-the-blank guide to formatting citations
http://citationmachine.net

Documenting Sources:
The Writing Center—University of Wisconsin, Madison
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/

A research guide for student (includes information on style guides, including MLA and APA)
http://www.aresearchguide.com/

Landmark's Citation Machine, a fill-in-the-blank guide to formatting citations
http://citationmachine.net

Teen Reading Lists:
Following are two of the many websites that offer reading suggestions for teens:

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
www.carnegielibrary.org/teens/read/teenlists.html

Internet Public Library
www.ipl.org/div/teen/teenread