LIBR 210-03
Reference and Information Services
Fall 2007 Greensheet
Michelle Holschuh Simmons
E-mail (preferred method of communication)
Office Hours: virtual via e-mail and by appointment
Phone: (336) 854-3034; call as needed (please keep in mind that I am on Eastern Time)
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
I will send the access code for the Blackboard site via the MySJSU messaging system to those enrolled in the class on the 21st of August. Please enroll in the Blackboard site no later than August 24th.
Catalog Description
A process-oriented examination of how information professionals answer reference questions. The interpersonal skills required for effective question negotiation and the sources with which questions are answered are stressed.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce you to the world of reference and information services. We will explore various methods and models of information service delivery, examine and evaluate key information sources of various types and formats, and discuss vital issues and emerging trends in reference and information delivery. Topics will include:
- The history of reference service
- Information seeking behavior
- The reference process (including the reference interview)
- Evaluation of reference interactions
- Information sources and their use (including effective search strategies)
- Collection and evaluation of reference sources (both paper and electronic)
- Reference service to diverse populations
- The role of instruction in reference service
- Reference ethics and reference policies
- Trends in reference and information services
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Use basic reference tools and searching techniques to answer a wide range of questions;
- Conduct an effective reference interview;
- Make the connection between user needs, information resources, and the relevant information technology;
- Assess the quality and usefulness of new reference sources;
- Evaluate reference services that address the needs of a diverse and changing society;
- Understand the relationship between reference service and information literacy instruction;
- Begin to develop a personal philosophy of reference 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 competencies:
- Retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups;
- Recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
- Evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.
Textbooks and Readings
Recommended textbooks and required readings:
We will have no required textbook for this course. However, I strongly recommend that you make use of one or more of the following texts both in this course and in your life as a practicing reference librarian:
- Bopp, R. E., & Smith, L. C. (2001). Reference and information services: An introduction (3rd ed.). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
- Cassell, K.A., and Hiremath, U. (2006). Reference and information services in the 21st century: An introduction. New York: Neal-Schuman.
- Janes, J. (2003). Introduction to reference work in the digital age. New York: Neal-Schuman.
- Katz, William A. (2002). Introduction to reference work. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Each week we will read several articles from the professional literature. All articles will be available electronically on Blackboard through the SJSU King Library databases.
Go to SLIS eBookstore.
Course Requirements
Mode of Instruction
This course will be entirely asynchronous. We will use Blackboard for online discussions, for the submission of assignments, and for accessing readings and course materials.
Assignments
The assignments for this course are as follows:
- Observation reports
Your understanding of reference work will be enhanced if you are able to connect the theory that we discuss and read about in class with the real-world practice. Therefore, you will formally observe reference work and participate consciously in two types of reference interactions. You will submit a brief report on each of these experiences. Please see the Observation Report assignment sheet in Blackboard for detailed information and a grading rubric. (30% of total grade) - Exercises
You will complete a set of exercises designed to give you practical experience examining and using some of the reference sources and search techniques we are studying. Please see more detailed information about these exercises in Blackboard. (20% of total grade) - Pathfinder
Your success as a reference librarian will depend, in great part, on your ability to understand your patrons’ information needs and help them locate appropriate resources. In order to hone these skills, you will compile a pathfinder designed to assist a user with a particular information need. This assignment will enable you to work through various facets of the reference process, including interviewing the user, searching for useful information sources, communicating your findings to the user, and receiving user feedback. It will also help you develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of information sources. Please see the Pathfinder Assignment sheet in Blackboard for detailed information and a grading rubric. (25% of total grade) - Online Discussions (including responses to readings or other class activities): Because this class is entirely asynchronous, the online discussions are an integral part of this course. These will be structured, and participation is mandatory. For each week’s class material, one substantive, thoughtful initial post (at least 300 words) and two responses to other people’s posts (at least 150 words each) are required. Please see the online discussion expectations sheet in Blackboard for detailed information and a grading rubric. (25% of total grade)
For due dates, detailed requirements, and grading rubrics for each of the assignments, please see documents in Blackboard.
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.
Late Assignments
I will not accept late assignments without prior notification and with the understanding that there may be a decrease in the number of points earned for the assignment.
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://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.htm.
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
Contact the webmaster
