Pathfinder (library science)

Pathfinders are intended to be a launch point for research on a particular topic, via the collection of select materials available in a particular institution on that topic. However they are not generally an exhaustive collection of all of the materials on a given topic- they are designed for beginners in research to find the fundamental information they need to get started. Pathfinders also help to teach essential information and technology skills, and promote books and reading. They are broader in scope than subject headings, and have been chosen from university course descriptions, thesis titles, and from term paper titles. For public libraries, it has been suggested to use surveys, past experience and hot topics from local media to find topics for pathfinders. It has been argued to expand the purpose of a research guide from being a list of resources to also incorporating instruction on information literacy.