S501—Reference
Summer, 2011
School of Library and Information Science, Indiana University, Bloomington
(This syllabus is subject to changes with appropriate notice)
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Ron Day |
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E-mail: |
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Office Hours: |
By appointment—please
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Tel: |
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This course focuses on understanding the context and resources for reference services. 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 reference document (i.e, the final pathfinder assignment). Students who wish to become reference librarians in research libraries may want to take S533 (Online Searching).
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
PLEASE READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYLLABUS. THE CLASS GOES QUICKLY.
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. Eight take-home print/electronic reference sources exercises (5% each)
You should go over the relevant class handouts and readings before tackling these exercises.
2. Two reference observation/interview assignments (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.
3. One virtual reference assignment (10%).
You will attempt to find materials for a research project by means of a chat session with the IU librarians or librarians at another institution. You will write a two-page paper on your experiences and discuss them in the next class. Instructions below.
4. One term project: pathfinder (25%)
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.
Readings, class participation, attendance, availability of lecture materials, laptops.
Reading assignments are due on the dates listed in the schedule below. You may wish, as well, to read chapters corresponding to the topics in Richard Bopp and Linda C. Smith, Reference and Information Services: An Introduction (in the bookstore as an optional purchase for the class). Much of the Bopp and Smith chapters will be covered in lecture in the class, though, and are available through the Powerpoints.
I will post the Powerpoint lecture slides online at: http://ella.slis.indiana.edu/~roday/524.html These will be in downloadable format. (Since I modify the order of the classes each semester, if you consult this URL please match the title of the powerpoint class with the class, not the order of the powerpoints with the order of the classes.) I modify content during the semester so some of the content on the slides may not be completely identical to what is presented in class. Some classes may not have lecture slides associated with them (in that case their links will be null). Powerpoints of class sessions will be posted as available.
All required readings are on electronic reserve or are available through the Internet.
Attendance will not be taken. When you are in class, you are expected to participate.
No laptop computers are required in this class and they are not allowed unless there are disability issues that require them.
Schedule
May 10 am: INTRODUCTION REFERENCE & INFORMATION ACCESS PROFESSIONALS
Discussion Points/Questions:
Readings:
--Bajjali, S.T. (2004). "Contemporary Recruitment in Traditional Libraries." Journal of Education for Library and Information Science Education, 46(1), 53-58.
--Hill, K.C. (2001). "Acquiring Subject Knowledge to Provide Quality Reference Service." ReferenceLibrarian,(72), 219-228.
-- Hutcherson, N.B. (2004). "Library Jargon: Student Recognition of Terms and Concepts Commonly Used by Librarians in the Classroom." College & Research Libraries 65(4), 349-354.
-- RUSA (Reference and User Services Association). (2003). "Professional Competencies for Reference and User Services Librarians." Reference & User Services Quarterly 42(4), 290-295.
-- Singleton, B. (2003). "Entering Academic Librarianship: Tips for Library School Students." College & Research Libraries News, 64(2), 84-86.
-- Whisler, Laurel A. (2004). "Resumes, Curricula Vitae, and Cover Letters for Music Librarians: Suggestions for Librarians in Job Searches or Compiling Annual Review Documents." Music Reference Services Quarterly, 8(4), 1-46.
May 10 pm : The Future of Reference Services and Current Trends
Readings:
OÕGroman, J. and Trott,
B. (2009) ÒWhat will Become of Reference in Academic and Public
Libraries?Ó Journal of Library Administration, 49. 327-339.
ÔEmbeddedÕ Librarians:
Kesselman, M. and Watstein,
S. B., (2009) Creating Opportunities: Embedded Librarians. Journal
of Library Administration, 49. 383-400.
Briet, S. (1951/2006). What is Documentation? (chapter 1) Available from: http://ella.slis.indiana.edu/~roday/what
is documentation.pdf
Day, R. http://ella.slis.indiana.edu/~roday/Briet_preface.pdf
Assignment: pathfinder report
May 12 am: BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL, ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION, AND SEARCH STRATEGIES
Discussion Points/Questions:
Readings:
-- Wilson, Patrick. "Searching: Strategies and Evaluation." For Information Specialists: Interpretations of Reference and Bibliographic Work.
--Buckland, Michael. Naming in the Library: Marks, Meaning, and Machines. http://people.ischool.berkeley.edu/~buckland/naminglib.pdf
-- Dalrymple, O.W. (2001). "Bibliographic Control, Organization of Information, and Search Strategies." In R.E. Bopp & L.C. Smith. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. pp. 69-96.
-- Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. DCMI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
-- Furrie, Betty, in conjunction with the Data Base Development Department of The Follett Software Company. What is a MARC Record and Why is it Important? Seventh edition reviewed and edited by the Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of Congress. 2003.
-- Mann, T. (2003). "Why LC Subject Headings Are More Important Than Ever." American Libraries34 (9), 52-54.
Class Topic: Online Catalog
Assignment: online catalog assignment
May 12 pm: QUESTION ANALYSIS & NEGOTIATION (REFERENCE INTERVIEW)
Readings:
--Taylor, Robert S. "Question-Negotiation and Information Seeking in Libraries." College and Research Libraries, May 1968, 178-194. (RD: Old, but still good).
-- Wilson, Patrick (1986). "The Face Value Rule in Reference Work."
-- Bopp, R.E. (2001). "The Reference Interview." In R.E. Bopp & L.C. Smith. Â Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. pp.47-68.
-- Dewdney, P.; & Michell, G.B. (1996). "Oranges and Peaches: Understanding Communication Accidents in the Reference Interview." RQ 35(4), 520-536.
--RUSA (Reference and User Services Association). (2004b). "Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers." Reference & User Services Quarterly 44(1), 14-17.
Class topic: Reference Interview
Assignment: Reference Interview assignment
May 17 am: SELECTION AND EVALUATION OF REFERENCE SOURCES AND SEARCH ENGINES AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESOURCES
-- What are the primary evaluation points for web sites? One of the most important elements of today's topic is the criterion used for evaluating and selecting reference sources. These criteria are helpful both in choosing new titles to purchase for a library and in familiarizing yourself with new material in general. Use the following points as a checklist to be sure you have not overlooked some important features of a reference item:
--Search engines—past and future
Readings:
Readings:
á -- RUSA (Reference and User Services Association). (2001). "Guidelines for the Preparation of a Bibliography." Reference & User Services Quarterly 41(2), 115-117.
Assignment: Book reviews, Books in Print, and Web resources exercise;
Worldcat, UlrichÕs, and Dissertation Abstract
exercise
MAY 17 PM: INDEXES AND ABSTRACTS (DATABASES)
Terms and concepts frequently used in relation to databases:
-- Abstract: A type of index that gives the location of an article in periodical or a book and a brief summary of that article.
-- Controlled-vocabulary: An indexing system in which the indexer, in assigning descriptors to works, is limited to a specified list of terms called the index vocabulary.
-- Descriptor: A term or a string of symbols used to designate the subject of a work.
-- Index: Consists of a series of bibliographic identifiers (author, title, subject, etc.) or surrogates, each of which characterizes a document or other pieces of information.
-- Indexing Vocabulary: The set of descriptors to be used in indexing the contents of documents in an information storage and retrieval system.
-- Information Retrieval System: Any system (typically electronic) that provides information to users in response to their requests (e.g., online catalog).
-- Keyword: A substantive word in a document that can be used to provide access to that document when used as a search term.
-- Natural-Language: An indexing system in which no index vocabulary controls are imposed. Any significant term (keyword) in the text of the item being indexed may represent the subject content of that item and thus provide access to it.
-- Online searching: Is the use of computer terminals or workstations to search databases (from almost anywhere in the world), retrieve results, and either print the results, save, or forward them to users electronically.
-- Subject Authority List: An official list of subject headings used in a given catalog or bibliographic service (e.g. Library of Congress List of Subject Headings, Sears List of Subject Headings).
-- Subject Heading: An indication of the subject of a bibliographic item using entries from a standardized vocabulary such as Library of Congress Subject Headings.
-- Thesaurus: A structured collection of terms that is used to index documents. A thesaurus provides control of synonyms and indicates how a particular index term is related hierarchically to others in the index vocabulary.
Discussion Points/Questions:
-- How does an abstract differ from an index as far as access and retrieval performance are concerned?
-- What makes for a good abstracting and indexing service (i.e., a database)?
-- How do you decide which database is the best for your needs?
-- What is "natural language" or keyword indexing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of indexing? Provide examples.
-- What is "controlled vocabulary" or subject indexing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of indexing? Provide examples.
-- What are the major characteristics and uses of a thesaurus and a subject heading authority file for information retrieval? List advantages and disadvantages.
-- What is the purpose of a citation index? In what ways is a citation index valuable in reference work?
-- Explain the differences between popular and scholarly literature.
-- What is Open URL and how does it work?
-- What is Google Print and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
-- What is Google Scholar and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
-- Online searching is a process that involves several strategies, stages, or tasks. What are they?
Readings:
-- Guide to Library Research. Duke University Libraries.
-- Quint, B. (1991a). "Inside a Searcher's Mind: The Seven Stages of an Online Search (Part 1)." Online 15(3), 13-18.
-- Quint, B. (1991b). "Inside a Searcher's Mind: The Seven Stages of an Online Search (Part 2)." Online 15(4), 28-35.
Assignment: General databases assignment
MAY 19 AM: ENCYCLOPEDIAS; BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES; WEB SOURCES, READY REFERENCE 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:
Assignment: Encyclopedias and Biography Resources exercise; Ready
reference exercises
May 1`9 pm: 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:
Assignment: Geographical, government, and statistical resources
assignment
May 24 am: VIRTUAL REFERENCE SERVICES AND EVALUATION
Virtual Reference Discussion Points/Questions:
Virtual Reference Services Discussion Points/Questions:
Instant Messaging (or Chat) Reference Discussion Points/Questions:
Readings:
Assignment: virtual reference interview: Engage in a chat reference interview at two online institutions. Make your questions sophisticated enough that you learn something about the online interview process. Write a two page paper comparing your chat interviews at the two different institutions.
May 24 pm: WEB 2.0 and LIBRARIES 2.0 and newer technologies
"Web2.0" and "Library 2.0" refer to user-centered indexing, knowledge organization, and retrieval, often making use of social networks. The following links will familiarize you with these terms and some of their associated technologies:
Readings:
May 26 am: INFORMATION ETHICS; REFERENCE SERVICES FOR SPECIFIC POPULATIONS; ARCHIVES, MUSEUMS, AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Readings:
May 26 pm: Wrap-up and class presentation of pathfinders. FINAL PROJECT (PATHFINDERS) DUE. Please email to me (roday@indiana.edu) the URL to your pathfinder with the subject line, "pathfinder".
Job
Resources
Library Job Postings on the Internet
Lisjobs.com - Jobs for Librarians and Information Professionals
LibrarySpot
LIS-UIUC: Sources of Job Information
SLIS-IUB
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Grades will be assigned on an A, B, C scale. 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:
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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:
1.Quotes another person's actual words, either oral or written;
2.Paraphrases another person's words, either oral or written;
3.Uses another person's idea, opinion, or theory; or
4.Borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative material, unless the information is common knowledge.
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!