LIBR 210-01
Reference and Information Services
Summer 2006 Greensheet
Mengxiong Liu
E-mail
Phone: (408) 808-2089
Office Location: King Library 4059
Office Hours: Call or e-mail for appt.
| Greensheet Links Required Text and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
You must enroll yourselves to the course Blackboard before the first day of class (July 5, 2006) to ensure that you receive the announcements on time. You will need an access code, which will be sent to all registered students via MySJSU.
Course Description
This is a process-oriented introductory course describing how reference librarians and other information professionals answer questions asked by their patrons or clients. The course emphasizes two aspects of the system developed for this function: the interpersonal skills to determine the information needs of the inquirer; and the knowledge of sources and search techniques to fill the need and help the inquirer solve her or his problem. Sources include print, microform, electronic (CD-ROM, online, Internet, WWW), and people. Perspectives of digital reference service will also be discussed.
Course Objectives
- To understand the problem-solving process in a variety of situations, and the functions of library reference services;
- To identify the standard reference tools employed by librarians and information professionals;
- To learn how to answer a variety of reference questions, and how to conduct reference interviews;
- To examine how to libraries provide reference services in the digital age.
SLIS Objectives
- Information transfer
- Selection and utilization of information resources
Required Text and Readings
Required Text
Katz, William A. (2002). Introduction to Reference Work. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. This book has two volumes. Vol. 1 is the required textbook and can be purchased via www.bn.com. The textbook is required for the first class meeting on July 5.
Readings
The reading list is on the course Web page.
Course Requirements
Course Schedule
There will be two onsite meetings:
- 9-4pm on July 5
- 9-4pm on July 26
- Classroom: King Library 217
The course runs from July 3 to August 16
Primary Requirements
The primary requirements for this course are:
- Studying reference sources in various formats;
- Answering reference questions assigned;
- Reading the literature of reference;
- Five assignments including papers, projects and 4 hours of observation of reference work in libraries;Class participation including role-playing, presentations, and group exercises.
Students MUST be able to:
- Access the Internet/WWW, Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint), and Adobe Reader.
- Send/receive e-mails and know how to use the Internet effectively and search common Web search engines (e.g., Google).
- Know how to use Blackboard. The tutorial is on the SLIS Web page.
Grading
The assignments for this course, and their corresponding values to your final grade, are:
| Assignment #1: Paper on reference librarian | 10% |
| Assignment #2: Reference tools exercise | 20% |
| Assignment #3: Reference core collection project | 20% |
| Assignment #4: Virtual reference project | 20% |
| Assignment #5: Observation paper | 20% |
| Class participation | 10% |
Grading Policy
Grades are determined in the following manner. Late assignments are not accepted unless previously approved by the instructor.
| 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+ |
Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf
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/
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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