LIBR 210-01
Reference and Information Services
Summer 2007 Greensheet
Mengxiong Liu, Ph.D.
E-mail: mliu@slis.sjsu.edu
Phone: (408) 808-2089
Office Location: King Library 4059
Office Hours: Call or e-mail for appointment
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS e-Bookstore |
You must enroll yourselves to the course Blackboard before the first day of class (June 4, 2007) to ensure that you receive the announcements on time. You will receive the access code to enroll to the Blackboard via MySJSU emails.
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. Practices and perspectives of digital reference service will also be discussed.
Course Objectives
The goals of this course are:
- To understand the problem-solving process in a variety of situations, and the functions of library reference services;
- To identify the reference tools in various formats 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.
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.
Textbooks 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 at the SLIS e-Bookstore.
Readings
The reading list is on the course Blackboard.
Course Requirements
Course Meetings
Two onsite meetings will be held at King Library 217 from 9am-4pm on
- June 6,
- June 20
Expectations
The expectations for this course are:
- Studying reference sources in various formats;
- Answering reference questions assigned;
- Reading the literature of reference;
- Six 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.
Blackboard
You must enroll yourselves to the course Blackboard before the first day of class (June 4, 2007) to ensure that you receive the announcements on time. You will receive the access code to enroll via MySJSU emails.
Assignments
The assignments for this course are:
| Assignment #1 Paper on reference librarian |
10% |
Assignment #2 |
20% |
Assignment #3 (Group Project) |
20% |
Assignment #4 (Group Project) |
20% |
Assignment #5 |
20% |
Class participation (including Blackboard discussion and 24/7 reference practice) |
10% |
Late Assignments
Late assignments are not accepted unless previously approved by the 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 |
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/
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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