L524: Information Sources and Services

Fall 2001, Tuesdays, 5:45-8:30 p.m.

Instructor: Steven L. Sowell

Office Hours: By appointment

Telephone: 856-8596

E-mail: sowell@indiana.edu

Course web address: http://php.indiana.edu/~sowell/L5242001.html

I. Purpose

The purpose of L524 is to introduce you to the basic reference sources and services found in most libraries and information centers and acquaint you with the history, philosophy, and function of information services.

II. Objectives

On completion of L524, you should be able to perform tasks typically expected of entry-level librarians responsible for reference services. You should be able to:

1. Identify, compare, and evaluate information sources; identify the sources most likely to contain specific types of information.
2. Demonstrate and discuss the reference process, including techniques of question negotiation and search strategy.
3. Discuss current issues in information services.

III. Readings

Mann, Thomas. The Oxford Guide to Library Research. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. (Required)

Katz, William A. Introduction to Reference Work, Volume I: Basic Information Services. 7^th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997. (On reserve in the SLIS Library)

Katz, William A. Introduction to Reference Work, Volume II: Reference Services and Reference Processes. 7^th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997. (On reserve in the SLIS Library)

Bopp, Richard C. and Linda C. Smith. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. 2^nd edition. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1995. (On reserve in the SLIS Library)

Additional readings may be placed on reserve in the SLIS Library.

IV. Course Methods and Assignments

Through lectures, discussions, readings, and assignments, you will accomplish the objectives listed above. You are expected to examine materials discussed in class, to complete assigned readings, and to participate in class discussions. In addition, you will be evaluated on the quality of your work on the following assignments:

A. Personal Reference Guide

During the semester you will compile a personal reference guide focused on a specific type of library (academic, public, special, or school). I will collect it twice during the semester (October 2 and November 6) to review your progress and grade it at semester’s end (due the last day of class, December 4). The guide is worth 500 points.

Since your success as a reference librarian will depend on your personal knowledge of the major tools to use to answer patron’s inquiries, this assignment is designed to help you begin the process of acquiring that knowledge of resources. The assignment is also designed to help you develop your skills in the analysis and evaluation of information resources. Finally, if you keep your personal reference guide current, it will be an effective tool to use in class during the ten reference exercises.

Instructions: Obtain a three ring binder and enough dividers to organize your notes in some arrangement (by type of source, by week, by title, etc.). At the front of the notebook, place a title page with your name, course number, and the type of library you are focusing on. Each week prior to our discussion of a particular type of reference tool and the in-class reference exercise, select at least five resources that your feel can be used for a wide range of reference questions. You may select these five sources from the week’s readings or guides to reference sources. For each of these sources, at a minimum, write a brief (2-3 paragraphs) description of the resource (i.e. its authority, scope, coverage, organization, format, and audience) and evaluative comments on its effectiveness as a reference tool. Also include at least two examples of questions that can be answered using the resource. If you want, you may also include photocopies of the table of contents, preface, etc., to help you better remember the resource. By the end of the semester you should be fairly familiar with at least 50 basic reference sources that will be effective tools for a variety of patron inquiries in a particular type of library.

B. Reference Exercises

There will be ten short in-class reference exercises of two-four questions each that will give you experience in using a variety of sources to answer typical information requests. Each exercise is worth 20 points.

C. Observation Exercise

The observation exercise will provide you with the opportunity to observe reference and information services in context. It will be done after we have discussed the reference interview in class. This assignment is to be scheduled at your convenience in a library of your choice. Arrange to observe a reference librarian for a period of two to four hours. Schedule the observation in advance so you may get approval of the librarian and/or his/her supervisor. During your observation, note the types of questions received and sources used, the reference interview, the user’s level of satisfaction, and your conclusions and observations about the overall reference process. Your paper covering these points should be 3-5 pages long, typed double-space. Be prepared to briefly share your observations with the class on the day this assignment is due. This exercise is worth 100 points. The observation exercise is due on October 23.

D. Reaction Papers

Reaction papers are designed to help you develop skills in describing, analyzing, and evaluating problems and issues related to the provision of information services. For each of the two papers you are to select a recent (within the last three years) journal article from the library literature dealing with an information services problem or issue. After carefully reading the article, you are to write a summary of the article and your reactions to it. Comments, criticisms, evaluations, questions, and insights are all appropriate in your reaction. Each reaction paper should be 3-5 pages long, typed double-space. Be sure to include a complete citation for the article being discussed. Each reaction paper is worth 50 points. The reaction papers are due on September 25 and November 13.

E. Pathfinder

A pathfinder is a guide that leads a user to a variety of information sources on a specific topic. It provides an introduction to key concepts and strategies for gathering information for someone just beginning to look for information.

For this assignment you will be assigned a topic on October 30 based on your interests and career goals. Prepare a pathfinder for a specific library (your choice) on this topic using the instructions given below. Examples of pathfinders will be placed on reserve in the SLIS Library. This assignment is worth a total of 100 points. The pathfinder is due at the beginning of class on November 27. Be prepared to briefly describe your pathfinder to the class.

You may use whatever format you think is appropriate, but the pathfinder must be in a form ready for reproduction and use (i.e. typed or word processed, neat appearance, easy to read, sections clearly marked). Include a cover sheet with your name, the library for which you prepared the pathfinder, and the style manual you used. Include your name and the library’s name on the pathfinder. Provide library call numbers and locations in your entries so the user can find the items quickly. Examine all items before including them on the pathfinder; select those that will be the most useful for the topic. (10 points)

The pathfinder should have the following sections:

1. Scope Note. Write a brief note that clearly and succinctly defines the topic and sets limits on its scope (5 points).

2. Introduction. Provide a reference to one or two introductions or broad overviews of the topic. This may be a general or specialized encyclopedia article, a book chapter, or a journal article (10 points).

3. Subject Headings. List subject headings that are used to locate information in the library’s catalog. Indicate which headings are the most relevant (10 points).

4. Browsing. List call numbers for the user to browse (5 points).

5. Basic Texts. Provide references to two or three carefully selected or classic books on the topic (10 points).

6. Indexing and Abstracting Services. Include, with appropriate subject headings, two or three that index periodical articles or other materials, as appropriate, for the topic (25 points).

7. Web Resources. List two or three carefully selected web sites that provide information on the topic. Be sure to include the URLs (15 points).

8. Additional Sources of Information. List one or two organizations, including addresses and phone numbers, which can provide additional information on the topic. Examples are professional associations, museums, government agencies, etc. (10 points).

V. Evaluation

All assignments must be turned in on the dates they are due. Five percent will be deducted for each day an assignment is late unless there are extenuating circumstances. You must complete all assignments in order to pass the course.

Academic and personal misconduct by students in this class are defined and dealt with according to the procedures in the Code of Student Ethics. Students found to be engaging in plagiarism, cheating, and other types of dishonesty will receive an F for the course.

Assignment % of final grade maximum points

Personal Reference Guide 50% 500

Reference Exercises (10) 20% 200

Observation Exercise 10% 100

Reaction Papers (2) 10% 100

Pathfinder 10% 100

TOTAL 100% 1000

Final grades will be based on the following scale:

A+ 98-100% 980-1000 points

A 94-97% 940-989 points

A- 90-93% 900-939 points

B+ 88-89% 880-899 points

B 84-87% 840-879 points

B- 80-83% 800-839 points

C+ 78-79% 780-799 points

C 74-77% 740-779 points

C- 70-73% 700-739 points

D+ 68-69% 680-699 points

D 64-67% 640-679 points

D- 60-63% 600-639 points

F 0-59% 0-599 points

VI. Course Calendar

Date	Topics	Readings/Assignments
8/28	Course Introduction History and Varieties of Reference Services Organization of Information
9/4	Information Seeking/Problem Solving Information Life Cycle Categories of Sources Bibliography Search Strategies	Read: Mann, preface Skim: Katz v.1, chapters 1, 3; Katz v.2, chapter 7
9/11	Selection and Evaluation of Reference Sources IUCAT Guides to Reference Sources	Read: Mann, chapters 2, 3 Skim: Bopp, chapter 12
9/18	Philosophy of Service Reference Interview I Encyclopedias	Read: Mann, chapter 1; Katz v.2, chapter 6 Skim: Katz v.1, chapter 7 In-class: Exercise 1
9/25	Reference Interview II Bibliographies: National Library Catalogs and Trade Bibliographies	Read: Mann, chapter 9 Skim: Katz v.1, chapter 4 Due: Reaction Paper 1 In-class: Exercise 2
10/2	Bibliographic Instruction Information Literacy Electronic Reference Services I Indexing and Abstracting Services: General and Collections	Read: Mann, chapters 4, 10, 11 Skim: Katz, v.1, chapter 5; Katz v.2, chapters 8, 9 Due: Personal Ref. Guide In-class: Exercise 3
10/9	Organization and Management of Reference Services Electronic Reference Services II Indexing and Abstracting Services II: Subject and Newspapers	Read: Mann, chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 Skim: Katz v.2, chapters 2, 4; Katz v.1, chapter 6; Bopp, chapter 9 In-class: Exercise 4
10/16	Reference Services Policies Evaluation of Reference Services Ready-Reference Sources: Almanacs, Yearbooks, Handbooks, Directories	Read: Mann, chapters 13, 16, appendix Skim: Katz v.1, chapter 8; Katz v.2, chapter 10 In-class: Exercise 5
10/23	Reference Staff Training and Development Biographical Sources	Read: Mann, chapter 14 Skim: Katz v.1, chapter 9; Bopp, chapter 7 Due: Observation Exercise In-class: Exercise 6
10/30	Reference Services for Special Populations Geographical Sources Dictionaries *Assign Pathfinder Topics	Read: Mann, chapter 15 Skim: Bopp, chapter 11; Katz v.1, chapters 10, 11 In-class: Exercise 7
11/6	Government Documents and Statistics	Skim: Bopp, chapter 21 Katz v.1, chapter 12 Due: Personal Ref. Guide In-class: Exercise 8
11/13	Literature Sources Health/Medical Sources	Read: TBA Due: Reaction Paper 2 In-class: Exercise 9
11/20	Business, Consumer, and Legal Sources	Read: TBA In-class: Exercise 10
11/27	Genealogical Sources Sharing Pathfinders	Read: TBA Due: Pathfinder
12/4	Professional Sources Professional Issues Professional Associations Future of Reference Services Wrap-Up	Read: TBA Due: Personal Reference Guide