Information Literacy Skills > Books

Introduction

Even in today's electronic, multi-media age, when the word library is mentioned, the first image which comes into most people's minds is that of shelves of books. Although we now have access to information in electronic, multi-media formats, the printed book still has an important part to play when searching for information. In the appropriate situation, books can be quicker, more reliable, more comprehensive and easier to use than electronic sources.

Books are divided into two main categories - fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction

Fiction books are based on the imagination and not on facts or events which actually happened. The most common sorts of fiction are novels and short stories. Fiction books are usually intended to be read right through, from cover to cover. Fiction books often have imaginative titles which give little clue as to the story line.

In libraries fiction books are usually arranged on the shelves alphabetically by the surname of the author.

Non-fiction

Non-fiction books deal with something that has happened or is happening. They might cover subjects such as geography, history, philosophy, politics, psychology, social studies or travel. Non-fiction books need not always be read as a whole: it may be appropriate just to look at one or more sections which contain the specific information required. Non-fiction books often have titles which give a clear indication of the subject of the book eg "The History of Steelmaking".

Reference books are a particular type of non-fiction book which are designed to help find specific pieces of information. They contain so much information that you would not want to read them from cover to cover. Examples of reference books are dictionaries, encyclopaedias, yearbooks and directories.

In libraries non-fiction books are usually arranged using a numerical system which brings books on the same or similar topics together on the library shelves. The most common system is the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Libraries usually have a section for reference books only which is separate from the lending non-fiction books.

Try this

For each of the books below, decide if they are fiction or non-fiction:

"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" by J K Rowling

"Wintersmith" by Terry Pratchet

"How to pass Higher Biology" by Bill Dickson

"To kill a mocking bird" by Harper Lee

"Tony Blair: prime minister" by John Rentoul

"The rough guide to Scotland" by Rob Humphries

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