LIBR 210 - Regular Session
Reference & Information Services
Summer 2003

Dr. Renée N. Jefferson
E-mail
Office hours: Blackboard, by appointment

Course Links

Course Schedule

GREENSHEET

Course Description

The course is designed to present an overview of concepts, components, and current developments in reference and information services provided in various types of libraries.

The major topics are:

1. an understanding of concepts/definitions and models/types of reference and information services;

2. a survey of reference sources in various types of formats;

3. a study of the evaluation, selection, and use of general reference sources by type of material;

4. theoretical frameworks and techniques supporting the practices of reference and information services; and

5. issues in information technology and its impact on the provision of reference and information services and on current models for the delivery of reference and information services to remote users, such as e-mail based and world wide web-based service models and other mechanisms that apply network technology.

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, the student should be able to perform the following:

1. demonstrate familiarity with a number of basic reference sources in various types of formats by efficiently and independently providing answers to sample questions designed to utilize those sources;

2. identify the various types of reference sources, including their characteristics and functions;

3. comprehend theoretical concepts and techniques that support the provision of reference and information services;

4. apply theory-into-practice approaches to provide basic reference and information services; and

5. identify state-of-the-art information technology and current models for the delivery of reference and information services.

The course supports the following School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) objectives:

The student will be able to understand the major theories and important principles of the foundation of information services, and in addition will demonstrate knowledge of current practices in (1) information transfer, (2) information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources, and the application of diverse technologies to information services.

Course Materials

Textbook (required)
Bopp, Richard E., & Smith, Linda C. (2001). Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. [You may order the textbook from Libraries Unlimited. The telephone number is 1-800-225-5800. The address for their web site is www.lu.com.]

Additional course materials will be available through Blackboard.

Course Format

This is a web-based course. There are two MANDATORY class sessions: Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th. We will use Blackboard for all course activities.

Blackboard
You should enroll on the Blackboard site for the course between Monday, May 19th and Friday, May 23rd. Follow the instructions posted in the Announcements’ section.

Stanley Laufer, the SLIS Network Administrator, has created a Blackboard Tutorials and Resources for SLIS Instructors and Students. It is located at http://witloof.sjsu.edu/blackboard/. Use the tutorial to learn how to set up your Blackboard account.

Requirements
You must have access to the following: Internet/World Wide Web, Microsoft Office (particularly Word and PowerPoint), and Adobe Reader 5+.)

You must be able to send and receive e-mail, including attachments. You will need to check your e-mail and Blackboard daily for announcements.

Office Hours

I will not set specific online hours. I will be available to answer questions Monday through Friday. You should have a response to your questions within 48 hours. You may also make an appointment to meet with me in the chat room that is available in Blackboard.

Assignments & Grades

There are three graded assignments for this course: one source project, the development and presentation of a library instruction session, and a query set. The percentage each assignment contributes to your final grade is listed below, followed by a brief description. You will be required to complete all assignments for the course.

Assignments

Instruction Session & Presentation: The instruction session is designed to assist you in identifying and describing information sources generally located in reference departments. It will also assist you in comprehending and applying library instruction concepts. You will design, present, and develop instructional materials for a library instruction session. This is a group assignment.

Reference Collection: This assignment is designed to assist you in becoming familiar with a variety of information sources and their uses. Your assignment is to develop a reference collection for a specific type of library. This is an individual assignment.

Reference Issue Paper: You will write a paper on an issue related to reference services. This is an individual assignment.

Class Participation: You will be required to participate in class exercises related to the readings. These exercises will consist of individual and group assignments.

Instructions for each assignment are posted under the Assignments section of Blackboard. Assignments MUST be submitted on their specified due dates. Any assignment turned in after the due date, without the permission of the instructor, will have its total score reduced by 10%. [Note: You must have permission from the instructor to submit your assignment late PRIOR to the due date.] Any assignment turned in more than one week after the deadline will not be accepted for grading, and a failing grade will be recorded; that is, unless a student has received an extension from the instructor. This is only fair to students who have worked to get their assignments in on time.

Correct usage of academic English, spelling, grammar, and composition are expected. Note: You are encouraged to use spell check, grammar check, etc. Points will be deducted for failure to use academic English, correct spelling, grammar, and composition.

All assignments must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers. The San Jose State University codes and rules governing plagiarism are in effect. Please refer to the following sites for specific information.

"Academic Dishonesty Procedures", SJSU Class Schedule
http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-spring/soc-spring-273.html

University Policy F88-10: http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/f88-10.htm
S98-1 (amends F88-10): http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/s98-1.htm
S02-4 (amends S98-1): http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S02-4.htm

All graded assignments will be marked using one of the following letter grades.

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a copy of all graded and returned materials for use as evidence in any question that might arise regarding the final grade in the course.

Incompletes
Incompletes will be assigned ONLY in cases of medical or family emergency. Medical or other proof will be required.