LIBR 210-15
Reference & Information Services
(Executive MLIS)
Spring 2008 Greensheet
Cheryl Stenström
E-mail
Office Hours: By appointment via Blackboard
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
This course will be delivered entirely online through Blackboard. Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard during these dates: January 17-28. You will be required to use a password access code which I will provide using the MySJSU Messaging system.
Course 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 covered as well as an overview of reference as a basic library service. Management and evaluation of services will be stressed, and emphasis will be given to emerging models.
Full Description
As part of the required set of courses in the Executive MLIS stream, this course explores some of the foundations of providing reference service, as well as functions, processes, sources and their evaluation. In addition, special attention will be given to various topics from a management point of view including staffing models, management of print and electronic collections, investigation and evaluation of new services and other topics of interest.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 202
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
- have explored reference and information delivery as a library service
- demonstrate familiarity of the components of a successful reference interview
- demonstrate familiarity of basic reference sources (in multiple formats)
- be able to implement basic search strategies
- be able to evaluate of reference sources
- have an understanding of topics in bibliographic instruction
- have understanding of reference policies and standards
- demonstrate an ability to evaluate a variety of reference programs and their components
- have become familiar with emerging service models
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; and
- evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.
Textbooks and Readings
The textbooks should be ordered from the SLIS eBookstore:
- Katz, W.A. (2002). Introduction to reference work: Basic information services. (vol. I, 8th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0-07-244107-0.
- Katz, W.A. (2002). Introduction to reference work: Reference services and reference processes. (vol. II, 8th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0-07-244143-7.
Recommended Text
- Bopp, R. E., & Smith, L. C. (2001). Reference and information services: An introduction. (3rd ed.). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
Additional Readings
Additional course materials will be available through the Blackboard course site or through the King Library online subscriptions.
Course Requirements
Course Format
As this is a Web-based course, all assignments for this class will be distributed via Blackboard. Please check your Blackboard email and the discussion board on a regular (preferably daily) basis. You may contact me via email, and I will make every effort to respond promptly (within 48 hours at the latest). Please note that I live in the Atlantic time zone.
All assignments will be evaluated for thoroughness, analysis, creativity, and thoughtfulness. Points will be deducted for failure to use correct spelling, grammar, and composition. All assignments are to have a professional appearance, using consistent formatting and citing techniques. Consult the SLIS APA Style Resources page for further specifics. In addition to grades received on the assignments, active participation in online discussions throughout the semester will be graded (see the grading summary below). Due dates for assignments are firm. In exceptional circumstances, I can be contacted to negotiate an extension before the assignment due date.
Assignments
- Reports
You will be asked to formally observe reference work and consciously participate in two different types of reference interactions (though you may wish to participate in any number of transactions of each type). You will submit a brief report on each of these experiences. - Exercises
You will complete a series of exercises designed to give you practical experience examining and using some of the reference sources and search techniques we are studying. - Issues case study
Case studies are an effective tool for applying skills and theories, participating in group problem solving, and using evidence. You will participate in this is a detailed group project related to the topics explored in the course. - Database vendor feedback letter
You will compose a letter intended to give an online database vendor feedback about their product. This could take the form suggestions for improvement to a product your library has used for a period of time, or it could be feedback as to why your library prefers not to purchase a particular product based on your initial evaluation. For this assignment, you will be working in pairs or small groups of three. - Bibliographic instruction package
You will be asked to prepare a presentation package for a bibliographic instruction session (you will choose your topic at the beginning of the term). This will include and audio/visual elements for the presentation, speaking notes or other guides for the presenter, an outline of the presentation format, supporting materials for participants including a bibliography or pathfinder on the specific subject area and any 'quick start' or user guides (these can be meant for print or online use). For this assignment, there are several components. You will be working in pairs or small groups of three, and peer assessment will be used. - Discussions
A portion of the overall grade is allocated for class participation. For the purposes of this class, participation includes prompt and thoughtful contribution to online discussions, engagement with class activities, and a demonstration that you are making an effort to master the material covered in this course. During most weeks of the course, there will be a new discussion topic posted related to the course readings. You will be required to participate in a minimum of thirteen topics.
Summary
More details on the assignments will be provided in Blackboard.
| Assignment | % of final grade |
| Reports | 10% (5% each) |
| Exercises | 20% (5% each) |
| Case study | 10% |
| Vendor letter | 10% |
| Instruction package | 30% |
| Discussions | 20% (~1.5% each) |
Course Calendar
The course is divided into two streams running more or less concurrently. Each week, an aspect of service will be explored along with a type of reference source or technique.
- Unit 1 (Weeks 1 through 3, January 23-February 12): Background and overview/The reference interview
- History and overview
- Philosophy of service
- Ethics
- The reference interview I
- The reference interview II
- Unit 2 (Weeks 4 through 7, February 13-March 11): Administration and management/Sources, part 1
- Policies
- Issues
- Staffing models
- Staff training
- popular internet sources
- bibliographies
- indexes
- encyclopedias
- Unit 3 (Weeks 8 through 10, March 12-April 1): Users/Sources, part 2
- Bibliographic instruction
- Serving special populations
- almanacs/directories
- biographies
- Unit 4 (Weeks 11 through 13, April 2-April 22): Evaluation/Sources, part 3
- Evaluation: sources
- Evaluation: services
- Evaluation: ROI
- geographical sources
- dictionaries
- government documents
- Unit 5 (Weeks 14 through 16, April 23-May 13): Trends/Sources, part 4
- Trends: your website as a reference tool
- Trends: collaboration
- Trends: virtual reference
- statistics
Summary
| Topic | Sources/Techniques | Deadlines | Due Date | |
| Week 1 | History and Overview | none | none | |
| Week 2 | Philosophy of Service | Reference Interview I | Establish working groups | February 5 |
| Week 3 | Ethics | Reference Interview II | BI subject | February 12 |
| Week 4 | Policies | Popular internet sources | none | |
| Week 5 | Issues | bibliographies | Exercise 1 [5%] | February 26 |
| Week 6 | Staffing models | indexes | none | |
| Week 7 | Staff training | encyclopedias | Case study [10%] | March 11 |
| Week 8 | Bibliographic Instruction | almanacs/directories | Exercise 2 [5%] | March 18 |
| Week 9 | Special populations | biographies | ||
| Week 10 | READING BREAK | Report 1 [5%] | April 1 | |
| Week 11 | Evaluation: sources | dictionaries | Post BI packages | April 8 |
| Week 12 | Evaluation: services | geographical sources | Exercise 3 [5%] | April 15 |
| Week 13 | Evaluation: ROI | government documents | Vendor letter [10%] /BI package (peer assessment) | April 22 |
| Week 14 | Trends: website | statistics | Exercise 4 [5%] | April 29 |
| Week 15 | Trends: collaboration | none | BI package (final assessment) [30%] | May 6 |
| Week 16 | Trends: virtual reference | none | Report 2 [5%] | May 13 |
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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