Libraries provide a number of tools to identify specific sources of information. Access tools fall into the three broad categories listed in the table below. From this table select the types of access tools needed based on the type of sources needed
| If you are looking for: | Use this Access Tool: |
| Almanacs | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Atlases | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Bibliographies | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Books or Book chapters | Online Catalog, Electronic & Print Indexes, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Dictionaries | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Directories | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Electronic Databases | Electronic Indexes, Search Engines |
| Encyclopedias | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Government documents | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Handbooks | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Periodical articles | Print Indexes, Electronic Indexes, Search Engine |
| Manuals | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Newspaper articles | Print Indexes, Electronic Indexes, Search Engine |
| Statistical abstracts | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Manufacturer & Vendor Catalogs | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Web sites | Web Indexes, Search Engines |
| Yearbooks | Online Catalog/Card Catalog, Web Indexes, Search Engines |
