LIBR 210-01
Reference and Information Services
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Lili Luo
E-mail
Office Location: 418G, Clark Hall
Office Hours: Mondays 7-8 pm via Elluminate
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
The Blackboard site for this class will open for self-enrollment on January 20. In order to enroll in the Blackboard course site, you will need a password access code. The instructor will provide the access code to registered students via the MySJSU messaging system. You should be enrolled by January 27, 2008.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of information services provided in a variety of settings. The focus is on human intermediation in libraries (both physical and digital) and in other information service environments, mainly covering the methods and models of information service delivery, fundamental tools and resources in selecting and searching information, information evaluation and emerging issues and standards pertinent to information access and service.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 202
Major Themes
- The evolution of reference and information service
- The reference process in various venues
- Information sources in multiple formats
- Search tools and search strategies
- Evaluation of reference interactions
- Evaluation and management of information resources
- Library instruction
- Delivery of reference and information service to diverse populations
- Ethics and policies of reference and information services
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Understand the basic principles and techniques used in the provision of reference and information services
- Be able to conduct an effective reference interview to interpret users’ information needs
- Have a working knowledge of general information resources and search tools in various disciplines
- Be able to quickly identify and select information resources, effectively locate relevant information, and provide clear instructions (if necessary) in the fulfillment of users’ information needs
- Comprehend the skills to critically and thoroughly evaluate information
- Be able to create documents for indirect reference.
- Develop a strong sense of the broader context of reference and information service, in particular the customer service mentality, professional concerns of ethics, and equal representation and service
- Be aware of the emerging issues concerning reference and information service
LIBR 210 supports the following SLIS core competency:
- Use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users
In addition, this section supports the following SLIS core competency:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities.
Textbooks and Readings
Required Text
- Cassell, K.A., and Hiremath, U. (2006). Reference and information services in the 21st century: An introduction. New York: Neal-Schuman. Available through the SLIS e-bookstore, as well as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, neal-schuman.com, etc.
Additional Readings
Additional required readings will be made available online through the course Blackboard site. Methods to access these readings will be provided as well.
Other sources of information to help you broaden your horizon on reference research and practice
- Academic Journals to browse regularly, including Reference Services Review, Reference and User Services Quarterly, Internet Reference Services Quarterly, Journal of Academic Librarianship, Information Technology and Libraries. You may access these journals electronically via King Library.
- Listservs for reference librarians: 1) LIBREF-L, a moderated discussion of issues related to reference librarianship; 2) DIG_REF, a forum for the growing number of people and organizations answering the questions of users via the Internet; 3) ILI-L, the Information Literacy Instruction Discussion List.
- Blogs maintained by reference librarians: 1) Library Garden, an ongoing conversation among librarians with differing perspectives (public, academic, school, consortial, youth) but one shared goal: ensuring the health and relevance of libraries; 2) Resource Shelf, a place where dedicated librarians and researchers share the results of their directed (and occasionally quirky) web searches for resources and information; 3) Digital Reference, News and views on chat reference, IM reference, email reference, VoIP reference, video reference, SMS reference, phone reference, roving reference, and face-to-face reference.
Course Requirements
Course Format
This class is taught in the hybrid mode. Class will meet in Clark Hall 322 from 10am to 4 pm on Feb 9, 10 and May 3. The rest of the course delivery will be conducted online through Blackboard.
Blackboard
The Blackboard site for this class will open for self-enrollment on January 20. In order to enroll in the Blackboard course site, you will need a password access code. The instructor will provide the access code to registered students via the MySJSU messaging system. You should be enrolled by January 27, 2008.
Student Responsibilities
- As a student, you are expected to read and carefully consider all the readings, participate fully in all activities and discussions during the class duration, as well as turning in assignments by the designated time.
- Due dates are not negotiable. If the instructor needs to change a due date, you will be notified as soon as possible. Because due dates are not negotiable, procrastination should be avoided. If you employ procrastination as a time management tool, this can limit your time in dealing with unexpected problems. The instructor has the right not to accept late assignments or to add significant grade penalties. If you foresee any difficulty in completing your assignment on time, you need to contact the instructor at least 36 hours before the due date to request extension. In addition, as the instructor schedules grading time for assignments, students turning in late assignments may receive their assessment much later than the rest of the class.
- If you do not understand assignments, readings, etc., it is your responsibility to inform the instructor. If you are having difficulty, please contact me early so that we can resolve problems before your final grade is unchangeable. You may also ask for help from your classmates through the various discussion methods in Blackboard. You must complete all assignments to pass the course.
Assignments
- Reference source exercises (30%)
Knowledge of reference resources and skills in effectively searching and evaluating them are one of the core competencies of reference work. Thus, you will complete a series of exercises to practice your skills in selecting, searching and evaluating reference and information resources discussed in class. - Reference service evaluation exercises (15%)
Evaluating reference and information services from the user’s perspective gives you a more complete view on reference service provision. You will participate as a user in three reference transactions via different media (face-to-face, email and chat), and submit a report evaluating your experiences. - Reference desk shadowing exercise (15%)
Observing the activities at a reference desk helps you better understand the nature of reference work. You will spend a few hours shadowing an on-duty reference librarian at a reference desk of your choice, and submit a report recording the shadowing experience and reflecting upon it. - Subject-specific reference sources presentation (15%)
This is a group assignment. The class will be split into several groups and each group is responsible for delivering a presentation on reference resources in a specific subject area. This assignment will further your knowledge of reference sources as well as practice your instructional skills. - Pathfinder (15%)
Creating a resource pathfinder on a certain topic is the final project of this class, in place of the final exam. It is a comprehensive assignment where a variety of important reference skills are involved, including the analysis of users’ information needs, identification and evaluation of relevant resources, and organization and presentation of retrieved information, etc. For this assignment, you will select a topic of your interest and create a pathfinder as an indirect reference tool to help users easily locate information about the selected topic. - Engagement and participation (10%)
Engagement and participation in class will reflect: 1) your individual responses to course content and questions posted by the instructor; 2) your responses to your colleagues’ postings; and 3) your involvement in discussion threads throughout the semester. Part of the graduate education experience is to help you learn how to present information with support, and not simply say “Well, I think that….” This also applies to agreeing with someone; the statement “I agree” should be presented with support.
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:
- C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
- B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
- A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.
Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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