LIBR 210-03
Reference and Information Services
Course dates: February 6, March 19, and May 7
MOD D402, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Spring 2004

Dr. Mary M. Somerville
Adjunct Faculty
marysomerville@earthlink.net

GREENSHEET

Course Description

This process-oriented course examines the experiences and practices of information professionals. Within the context of contemporary organizations’ information and instructional services, two components of question negotiation and question satisfaction receive emphasis: 1) relational information search process (ISP) from the point of view of both the information seeker and the information intermediary and 2) interpersonal communication and experiential learning elements common to face-to-face, asynchronistic email, and synchronistic 24/7 virtual reference coaching.

Course Overview

Through active learning strategies, students observe and experience the techniques of the reference interview, further appreciation of the information search process (in themselves and others), and gain familiarity with information sources and services. For instance, the instructor’s presentation on the information search process (ISP) is followed by experiential activities which provide students with insights into their own first hand experiences of the phenomena – thereby preparing them to recognize ISP stages in others. A lecture on the interpersonal components of the reference negotiation process is complemented by hands on virtual reference experience. Students use the California State University’s 24/7 virtual reference system and role play both information provider and information seeker. Contextual understanding of information seeking behavior and usage is advanced through completion of a writing exercise, accompanied by reflections on the information finding, evaluating, and usage journey. In the synthesizing assignment, students forecast the reference and information environment five years out through a scenario planning exercise which serves to clarify professional competencies and professional values.

School Mission

The course supports the School’s first program goal “to prepare students … to function effectively as information management professionals in libraries, information centers, and related environments.” It incorporates the program’s objectives by: 1) studying the major theories, important principles, and current practices of reference and information service; 2) analyzing the communication processes embodied in scholarly publication cycles and bibliographic access systems; and 3) examining information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and utilization of data, information, and knowledge.

Course Deliverables

At the conclusion of this course, students are able to:

1. Discuss current issues pertaining to reference and information services, including reference interview elements, information competence principles, and physical and digital research sources;

2. Understand the problem-solving processes used by successful information professionals, including information search strategies, in light of contemporary information and communication technologies (ICT);

3. Appreciate the considerations necessary to design/redesign of reference, instruction, and information services, now and in the future, and

4. Describe their first hand experience of collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing information for application in a collaborative scenario planning exercise.

Information Resources

We do not use a textbook. Rather, we rely on primary materials, identified by the professor and the students, to advance individual and group inquiry. A core reading list is available before the first day of class. Throughout the course, students share other useful references over Blackboard.

Academic Honesty

All assignments must be the student’s own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers. Please refer to the University codes and rules on plagiarism for further details.

Grading Philosophy

This course uses collaborative inquiry to enhance individual ‘sense making.’ Therefore, it is expected that students pro-actively advance both their own learning and also their peers. The grading scheme reflects this value orientation.

Course Grading

A total of 100 points may be earned. Maximum points per assignment or activity are indicated below. Note: any assignment submitted in the digital drop box after the published deadline receives reduced credit – one point is deducted for each hour or partial hour that the submission is late.

Possible points (out of a total of 100 points) are distributed as follows:

Group work/peer assistance - 25 points *

Class attendance and participation – 15 points (5 points per mandatory class meeting)

Information search process notes – 20 points (10 points for each of 2 assignments)

Individual reference topic paper – 20 points

Individual scenario planning paper – 20 points

*Note: 25% of the possible points reflects the average of scores assigned a student by her/his small group peers.

Grading Scale

Course Calendar

Friday, February 6 – on campus class meeting

Saturday, March 13 - reference topic paper due by 10 p.m. in digital drop box

Wednesday, March 17 - information search process notes due by 10 p.m. in digital drop box

Friday, March 19 - on campus meeting

Friday, May 7 - on campus meeting

Monday, May 10 - scenario planning paper due by 10 p.m. in digital drop box

Monday, May 10 – information search process notes due by 10 p.m. in digital drop box

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