LIBR 210-05
Reference and Information Services
Spring 2008 Greensheet
J. David Midyette
E-mail
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Materials Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
All students must self-enroll on the Blackboard organized for this course with an access code provided by the instructor
Course Description
Reference work is where the rubber meets the road in library work. Information professionals are increasingly confronted with new demands for information based in new technology, new formats, and new needs. While print is still a crucial component of reference work, librarians and the people that they serve are increasingly in need of and demanding information from electronic resources. These shifting needs present a myriad of challenges to librarians both old and new in terms of their own understanding and integration of new ideas and skills.
In this course we will:
- look at how the reference interaction works;
- examine reference sources in multiple formats;
- develop skills in providing a range of reference services; and
- ponder the future of reference work within the library setting.
Prerequisite: LIBR 202
Course Objectives
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, students will:
- Have a developed understanding of the reference process
- Understand the impact of cultural diversity in library reference work
- Be able to meet the information needs of patrons in a variety of library settings
- Acquaint themselves with core reference sources in multiple disciplines
- Know where to find peer support
- Be competent in the evaluation and usage of multiple information sources
- Have an understanding of the impact of technology on reference interactions
- Be familiar with issues and trends in reference services
LIBR 210 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- 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 Competencies:
- 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;
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations;
- Retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups;
Textbooks and Materials
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 eBookstore, as well as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, neal-schuman.com, etc.
Core Journals
You should be familiar with professional journals and other practitioner publications that explore reference and information service issues appropriate to this course, including:
- College & Research Libraries
- Journal of Academic Librarianship
- Medical Reference Services Quarterly
- Public Libraries
- Reference & User Services Quarterly
- The Reference Librarian
- Reference Services Review
- Information Today
- ONLINE
- Searcher
Course Requirements
Assignments
- Observations
All reference interactions are different and vary according to type of library and patron need. It is crucial for your development as librarians to see how this variety impacts information need and the “success” of the reference interaction. You will observe three different reference interactions in different library settings and report your findings to your fellow students for evaluation and comment. - Exercises
To give you a better understanding of the variety of reference sources that you might need as a practitioner, you will be performing several reference exercises designed to familiarize yourself with where you will be looking for information as a practitioner. These will be designed to balance success, frustration, challenge, and ease. They will help you understand the emotions that your patrons feel or will feel as they search for information to meet their needs. - Pathfinder
These are crucial tools in all libraries and can be useful to everyone from the first-time library user to the seasoned bibliophile. Most people experience the unplanned need for information in their life, and a pathfinder can be a quick but helpful way to get them started. For this exercise, you will select either a topic that you are familiar with or a topic about which you know little to nothing. You will find resources and produce a quick start guide to launch patrons down the path to understanding that topic. Your pathfinder will include sources in different formats with brief descriptions of the source and why it will be beneficial. - Participation
Since this class is entirely online, weekly discussions will form a good portion of your coursework. This is an excellent way to begin building networks, but also to provide helpful feedback to your peers. Posts and responses are expected to be substantive, and should further discussion and promote independent thinking. One component of this will be an online assignment where students will “lead the discussion.” For this exercise, you will be expected to post a substantive statement on a topic essential to reference work. Students will post their responses and work to generate a fuller understanding of the topic. This will be separate from the weekly postings and will be done over several weeks, but will be considered part of the participation grade.
Summary of assignments and their worth:
More details on the assignments, and a list of due dates, will be provided in Blackboard.
| Assignment | % of final grade |
| Observations | 30% |
| Exercises | 30% |
| Pathfinder | 20% |
| Class participation | 20% |
Extra Credit
Extra credit options will not be available.
Late Assignments
Late work will only be accepted only with prior approval of instructor.
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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