L524: Information Sources and Services

Schoolof Library and Information Science
Indiana University - Bloomington

Fall 2005

(This syllabus is subject to changes with appropriate notice)

Instructor: Ron Day	Office:
E-mail: roday@indiana.edu	Office Hours: Monday 4-5:15; Wednesdays 2-3:15
Tel:	Classroom: LI 302

 

This course focuses on understanding users' information needs and seeking behaviors and on meeting those needs through provision of information. The course introduces the philosophy, principles, and practice of reference services (broadly defined) and provides practical experience in evaluating and using a variety of information sources. The course also provides practical experience in assessing, designing, and developing a variety of information services. The lab segment of the course is entirely devoted to learning the fundamentals of electronic database searching. Students who wish to become reference librarians in research libraries are highly encouraged to take L570 (Online Information Retrieval) afterwards.

By the end of the course, students should have:

• An understanding of the various roles of reference information professionals in different environments.
• An appreciation of the interpersonal and communication skills needed to carry out effective reference transactions and work.
• The ability to proficiently analyze reference inquiries in order to assess clients' information needs.
• An understanding of the nature, characteristics, and functions of major types of reference sources.
• Experience with the most important and most widely used reference materials and the ability to use them to specific reference inquiries.
• The ability to formulate search strategies that will effectively and efficiently identify and locate relevant information.
• The ability to evaluate and select reference and other information sources and tools that best fit the needs of clients.
• An understanding of the basic principles and practices involved in bibliographic instruction.
• The ability to prepare research guides.
• An awareness of current and emerging trends in reference sources and services.

The objectives of the course will be achieved through lectures, readings, in-class discussions and activities, examination and use of key reference tools and sources, take-home assignments, lab assignments involving electronic database searching, and a term project (electronic pathfinder).

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Written assignments will be made throughout the semester to familiarize you with sources, search methodologies, and the theory and philosophy of reference services. All assignments will be graded and discussed before and after they are completed. LATE assignments will lose one letter grade from the grade they would have gotten had they been turned in on time. In case an absence is inevitable on a day an assignment is due, please e-mail it to the instructor to avoid the penalty. An "Incomplete" will be given to students who fail to submit their final projects before the end of the semester. Unless otherwise stated below and on individual assignment sheets, all students are to work individually and follow IU's honor code. The assignments for the course include:

1. Nine take-home print/electronic reference sources exercises (3% each)

These include questions relating to: bibliographic sources, indexes and abstracts, encyclopedias, biographical sources, geographical sources, ready reference and dictionaries, and government, business, and health information. While you may work independently, it is highly recommended that you find a partner to work on these exercises. This will cut your workload and provide valuable discussion as you work through the exercises. Teams are self-selecting. You should go over the relevant class handouts and readings before tackling these exercises.

2. Six in-class electronic reference sources exercises (3% each)

Throughout the semester, you will be introduced to a wide variety of online databases and information systems, by means of exercises and in-class demos and discussion. These exercises will be done during class time in the Computer Lab in LI002. Group work is highly encouraged.

1. One reference observation/interview assignment (10%)

As part of this assignment, you will visit a library of your choice (academic, public, special, or school) to observe the reference librarian(s) there and ask for materials about your pathfinder topic (see below). After your observation of, and interaction with, the librarian(s) is over, you will answer a set of questions in an essay form and come to class ready to talk about your experience. Further instructions are provided on the assignment sheet.

2. One term project: pathfinder (35%)

A pathfinder is a bibliographic guide that introduces clients to the literature of a specific subject area or topic. Its arrangement and content reflect the most common questions in a literature search and the beginning stages of a research project. A pathfinder is not an exhaustive annotated bibliography. Instead, it provides a carefully selected list of various types of important resources, both reference and non-reference. Pathfinders are typically short in length, depending on the intended audience and the resources available. The pathfinder you prepare for this course should not exceed eight pages in length and must be mounted on the web. Your pathfinder should only include resources available in one library or library system. Further instructions are provided on the assignment sheet. Click HERE for a sample of pathfinders from previous semesters.

3. Readings, class participation, and attendance (10%)

Reading assignments are due on the dates listed in the schedule below. Completing the reading assignments by the dates indicated should enhance your understanding of the lecture topic(s) and allow you to participate more fully in class discussions and do well in the course as a whole. Specific discussion points or questions are included in the Schedule to focus your readings for most classes. Keep these discussion points or questions in mind as you complete the readings. You are expected to participate in class discussion. Failure to do so will result in you losing much of the 10 points assigned for attendance and participation.

Attendance in each class session is expected. It is unlikely that you will do well in the course if you miss any sessions. If you must miss a class, please make arrangements with one of your classmates concerning note taking. Points will be deducted for each absence.

Grades will be assigned on an A, B, C bases. The following definitions of letter grades have been defined by student and faculty members of the Committee on Improvement of Instruction and have been approved by the faculty (November 11, 1996) as an aid in evaluation of academic performance and to assist students by giving them an understanding of the grading standards of the School of Library and Information Science:

Grade	GPA	MEANING
A	4.0	Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials and evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far surpasses course expectations
A-	3.7	Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner
B+	3.3	Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above-average comprehension of the course materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course syllabus
B	3.0	Good work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials and is at an acceptable level
B-	2.7	Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete understanding of course materials.
C+ C	2.3 2.0	Unsatisfactory work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete and inadequate understanding of course materials
C- D+ D D-	1.7 1.3 1.0 .07	Unacceptable work. Coursework performed at this level will not count toward the MLS or MIS degree. For the course to count towards the degree, the student must repeat the course with a passing grade.
F	0.0	Failing. Student may continue in program only with permission of the Dean.

 

Please note that all assignments and readings can be accessed online. Also note that this reference course demands a HEAVY commitment of your time. It is expected that you will spend an average of eight hours each week on readings and assignments. Much of this time will be spent in campus libraries. Please do not ask reference librarians to do your work for you. While such assistance may shorten assignment time, it will not help you increase your learning of sources nor of the search process as more diligent effort will. If, however, you cannot find something on the shelf where it is supposed to be, do not hesitate to ask someone where it is.

Academic Dishonesty

There is extensive documentation and discussion of the issue of academic dishonesty in the Indiana University "Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct." Of particular relevance is the section on plagiarism:

A student must not submit work that reproduces ideas, words, or statements of another person without appropriate acknowledgment. A student must give credit to the originality of others and acknowledge indebtedness whenever he or she does any of the following:

Indiana University and SLIS policies on academic dishonesty will be followed. Students found to be engaged in plagiarism, cheating, and other types of dishonesty will be reported to the Dean's Office for appropriate action. As a rule of thumb, when in doubt, cite the source!

COURSE SCHEDULE

 

 

August 29:  INTRODUCTION

           

 

September 5: REFERENCE & INFORMATION ACCESS PROFESSIONALS

Discussion Points/Questions:

 

Readings:

 

 

SEPTEMBER 12: ACCESS SERVICES; CURRENT ISSUES & TRENDS IN REFERENCE; USER BEHAVIOR

Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Pathfinder Topic

SEPTEMBER 19: QUESTION ANALYSIS & NEGOTIATION (REFERENCE INTERVIEW)

Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Reference Interview Assignment

SEPTEMBER 26: BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL, ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION, AND SEARCH STRATEGIES

Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Pathfinder Report I

Lab Topic: Online Catalog

October 3: SELECTION AND EVALUATION OF REFERENCE SOURCES

Discussion Points/Questions:

Accuracy Appropriateness Arrangement Audience Authority Cost Coverage Currency Documentation Format

Genealogy Illustrations Indexing Objectivity Physical Make-up Purpose and Scope Reputation Special Features Treatment Uniqueness

Reference collection development entails decisions to:

Readings:

Due: Online Catalog exercise

Lab Topic: Book reviews, Books in Print, and Web resources

OCTOBER 10: BIBLIOGRAPHIC SOURCES AND SEARCH STRATEGIES

Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Pathfinder Report II; Book Reviews, Books in Print, & Web Resources lab exercise

Lab Topic: WorldCat, Ulrich's, and Dissertation Abstracts

OCTOBER 17: INDEXES AND ABSTRACTS (DATABASES)

Terms and concepts frequently used in relation to databases:

Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Bibliographic Sources take-home assignment; WorldCat, Ulrich's, and Dissertation Abstracts lab exercise

Lab Topic: Library and Information Science Databases

OCTOBER 24: ENCYCLOPEDIAS; BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES; WEB SOURCES

Encyclopedias Outline of Significant Points:

Encyclopedias Discussion Points/Questions:

Note on Biographical Sources: Bopp and Smith point out that "interest in the lives of others is a universal phenomenon" and that "one of the most consistent features of reference work over the years has been the high demand for information about people." Biographical sources of information fall into several categories:

Biographical Sources Discussion Points/Questions:

Web Information Sources Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Indexes and Abstracts (Databases) take-home assignment; LIS databases lab exercise

Lab Topic: General Databases

OCTOBER 31: READY REFERENCE AND DICTIONARIES; BUSINESS AND HEALTH SOURCES

Definitions of Types of Ready Reference Sources:

Ready Reference Sources Discussion Points/Questions:

Note on Dictionaries: The purpose of a dictionary is to explain words. Most typically, these words are listed in an alphabetical order and a description of their meaning is given. Dictionaries may include added features such as syllabication, pronunciation, etymology, usage, synonyms, grammar, illustrations, maps, spellings and usage. There are different kinds of dictionaries: those that address national languages (e.g., English, French, Spanish, German, and so on) and those that address languages of specific scientific disciplines (e.g., chemistry, medicine, political science, sociology, and so on).

Dictionaries Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Encyclopedias and Biographical Sources take-home assignment; General Databases lab exercise

Lab Topic: Subject Databases

NOVEMBER 7: GEOGRAPHICAL, GOVERNMENT, AND STATISTICAL SOURCES

Note on Geographical Sources: Geographical sources are invaluable in reference. Information needs ranging from the simple "Where is [a river, town, mountain range . . .]?" to the complex "environmental analyses, historical studies of past explorations, wars, plagues; lunar surface features; geological structure of a mountain range" can be met through the use of maps. Atlases (a collection of maps with a detailed index) are found in most libraries, as are gazetteers, which are geographical dictionaries of place names. Map librarians are very enthusiastic about their profession; are interested in such issues as access to maps, Geographic Information Systems, and map preservation; and they produce many useful guides, union lists, carto-bibliographies, indexes, and directories. When evaluating a geographical source, one has to examine: authority, currency, changing names, revision policies, encyclopedia information, nationalism, topical approaches, balance/content, quality of maps, scale and projection, topographical representation, format, place name control, vernacular vs. language of the country of publication (roma vs. rome), transliteration of names, location of small towns, statistical data, subject access approaches, among others.

Notable Publishers in Cartography:

Definitions:

Geographical Sources Discussion Points/Questions:

Government Sources Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Ready Reference and Dictionaries take-home assignment; Subject databases lab exercise

Lab Topic: DIALOG I-with ralf Shaw

NOVEMBER 14: INFORMATION ETHICS; REFERENCE SERVICES FOE SPECIFIC POPULATIONS; ARCHIVES, MUSEUMS, AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Geographical, Government, and Statistics Sources take-home assignment; Pathfinder Report III

Lab Topic: DIALOG II-with ralf Shaw

NOVEMBER 21: INFORMATION LITERACY, BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION, AND EVALUATION OF REFERENCE SERVICES

Discussion Points/Questions:

Reference Service Evaluation Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Web Searching lab exercise

NOVEMBER 29: VIRTUAL REFERENCE SERVICES AND EVAUATION

Virtual Reference Discussion Points/Questions:

Virtual Reference Services Discussion Points/Questions:

Instant Messaging (or Chat) Reference Discussion Points/Questions:

Readings:

Due: Pathfinder Project

DECEMBER 05: DISCUSSION OF FINAL PROJECT; FUTURE OF REFERENCE

Highly Recommended Readings

• Bates, M.J. (1989). "The Design of Browsing and Berrypicking Techniques for the Online Search Interface." Online Review 13(5), 407-424.
• Belkin, N.J.; Oddy, R.N.; & Brooks, H.M. (1982). "ASK for Information-Retrieval 1: Background and Theory." Journal of Documentation, 38(2), 61-71.
• Belkin, N.J.; Oddy, R.N.; & Brooks, H.M. (1982). "ASK for Information-Retrieval 2: Results of a Design Study." Journal of Documentation, 38(3), 145-164.
• Dervin, B.; & Dewdney, P. (1986). "Question-Negotiation and Information-Seeking in Libraries." RQ 25, 506-513.
• Ellis, D. (1989). "A Behavioral-Approach to Information-Retrieval System-Design." Journal of Documentation, 45(3), 171-212.
• Ellis, D.; Cox, D.; & Hall, K. (1993). "A Comparison of the Information-Seeking Patterns of Researchers in the Physical and Social-Sciences." Journal of Documentation, 49(4), 356-369.
• Hernon, P.; & McClure, C.R. (1986). "Unobtrusive Reference Testing: The 55-Percent Rule." Library Journal, 111(7), 37-41.
• Kuhlthau, C.C. (1991). "Inside the Search Process: Information Seeking from the User's Perspective." Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 42, 361-371.
• Taylor, Robert S. (1968). "Question-Negotiation and Information Seeking in Libraries." College & Research Libraries, 178-194.
• Wilson, T.D. (1999). "Models in Information Behaviour Research." Journal of Documentation, 55(3), 249-270.

Journals and Reference Sources to Browse

In addition to the required readings for each class, I encourage you to make a habit of browsing recent issues of the following journals (all are available online through the University's online catalog) and Internet sources:

Library Journal College and Research Libraries Information Today Peter's Digital Reference Shelf

Reference and User Services Quarterly Reference Services Review Searcher: The Magazine for Database Professionals

Job Resources

• Library Job Postings on the Internet
• Lisjobs.com - Jobs for Librarians and Information Professionals
• LibrarySpot
• LIS-UIUC: Sources of Job Information
• Library ParaProfessional Support Staff
• SLIS-IUB