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Textbooks and Resources | Course Requirements | Assignments
About Your Instructor
Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard during these dates: May 21-31. You will be required to use a password access code which I will provide using MYSJSU Messaging system.
Course Description
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.
Full Description
This course is designed to present an overview of reference and information services in a variety of settings, including: methods and models of information service delivery, basic tools for reference and information services, and emergent trends in reference and information service.
The major topics are:
- the historical evolution of reference and information service in libraries;
- traditional and emergent models of reference and information service;
- evaluation, selection, and use of general reference sources;
- evaluation and management of reference collections and services;
- issues in information technology and its impact on the provision of reference and information services; and,
- specialized services often incorporated into reference and information service programs, including access services, instructional services, and government information services.
Course Goals and Objectives
By the conclusion of this course, students will:
- demonstrate familiarity with a number of basic reference sources in print and electronic format by providing answers to sample questions designed to utilize those sources;
- demonstrate the ability to evaluate reference sources in a given area by identifying core resources for a field of study;
- demonstrate the ability to evaluate reference and information services at the individual or programmatic level;
- be introduced to a variety of approaches to providing reference and information service, both traditional and emergent;
- become familiar with current trends and issues in reference and information service; and,
- begin to explore various areas of professional specialty common to reference librarians (e.g., by subject, by function).
This course supports the following School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) objectives:
- SLIS supports an environment and curriculum that prepares students to function effectively in libraries, information centers, schools, and other relevant institutions.
- SLIS contributes to the knowledge base of the information community by engaging in basic and applied research and communicating its results through faculty and student presentations, activities, and publications.
By the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- become familiar with the major theories and principles that form the foundation of reference and information services;
- be able to evaluate research related to the theory and practice of reference and information services;
- demonstrate knowledge of current practices in information service, transfer, and management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources; and,
- understand the application of information technologies to information services.
Textbooks and Resources
Required Texts
Bopp, R. E., & Smith, L. C. (2001). Reference and information services: An introduction (3rd ed.). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
Janes, J. (2003). Introduction to reference work in the digital age. New York: Neal-Schuman.
You may order the Bopp & Smith textbook directly from Libraries Unlimited, and you may order the Janes textbook directly from Neal-Schuman. You may also acquire them through Web-based vendors such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Supplemental Texts
The following texts are not required for this course, but they elaborate on some of the issues we will examine. Students have often asked for suggestions for additional material, and the texts listed below are meant to meet that need. Each is an excellent text that interested students may wish to review at some point:
- Grassian, E. S., & Kaplowitz, J. R. (2001). Information literacy instruction: Theory and practice. New York: Neal-Schuman.
- Lanning, S., & Bryner, J. (2004). Essential reference services for today's school media specialists. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
- Ronan, J. S. (2003). Chat reference: A guide to live virtual reference services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Additional Readings
Additional course materials will be available through the Blackboard course site.
Core Journals
Finally, you should begin to become familiar with professional journals that address reference and information service issues appropriate to your career plans, e.g.:
- College & Research Libraries (Z671 .C6)*
- Journal of Academic Librarianship (Z671 .J58)*
- Medical Reference Services Quarterly (R118.2 .M4)*
- Public Libraries (Z673.A5 .P88)*
- Reference & User Services Quarterly (Z671 .R7)*
- The Reference Librarian (Z711 .R43x)*
- Reference Services Review (Z1035.1 .R43)*
The call numbers listed above are drawn from the SJSU library catalog, but they should also help you locate materials, if available, at any academic library to which you may have access. Titles marked with an asterisk (*) show electronic access through the SJSU Electronic Journals List.
Discussion Lists
Electronic discussion lists are an important part of professional dialogue and support for reference and information service librarians. All students in this class should subscribe to LIBREF-L, the largest electronic discussion list dedicated to issues in reference librarianship.
* Join LIBREF-L *
In addition to LIBREF-L, you will find a variety of electronic discussion lists dedicated to specific subject areas (e.g., history librarianship), to specialized service areas often administered as part of reference and information service programs (e.g., instructional services), and to the use of information technology as a means of delivering reference and information services. A sample of these additional lists can be found in the "External Links" section of the Blackboard course site. Students may be especially interested in DIG_REF, the discussion list dedicated to digital reference services.
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Course Requirements
Format
This is a Web-based course. All class activities will take place through the Blackboard course site, including asynchronous discussions and synchronous chat. When a synchronous chat has been scheduled, you will be alerted ahead of time to facilitate attendance.
Technical Requirements
You must have access to the following: Internet/World Wide Web access, Java-enabled Web browser, Microsoft Office (particularly Word and PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat Reader 5+. In addition, you may find that some chat-based digital reference services are more likely to work if you are using a PC and Internet Explorer.
You must be able to send and receive e-mail, including attachments. You should plan to check your e-mail and the Blackboard course site regularly for announcements.
For more detailed information, consult the SLIS home computing environment page.
Blackboard
SLIS IT support personnel have created a "Blackboard Tutorials and Resources for SLIS Instructors and Students" site. It is located at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/blackboard/. Use the tutorial to learn how to set up and manage your Blackboard account.
Incompletes
A grade of "Incomplete" will be assigned only in cases of medical or family emergency.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are strongly prohibited by university policy. All assignments turned in for grading must represent your own work, either individually or (when appropriate) as part of a group. Assignments suitable for group work will be noted explicitly. To help avoid questions, please be sure to cite all sources used for evaluative and research assignments.
It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a copy of all graded and returned materials for use as evidence in any question that might arise regarding the final grade in the course.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.
Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San José since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.
The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
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Assignments
Assignment Due Dates
All assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the dates noted below.
Detailed instructions for each assignment will be posted in the "Assignments" section of the Blackboard course site.
Note: remember to regularly consult the Blackboard course site for any announced changes to assignments or due dates.
Class Participation (20%)
All students are expected to participate fully in the course. Active participation in all synchronous and asynchronous discussions is expected of all students, and each student is expected to maintain individual contact with the instructor regarding course requirements, concerns, etc. Participation in threaded discussions will be crucial to success in this course and will be evaluated using the "Guidelines for Critical Engagement" described in the individual course presentations and assignments available on the Blackboard course site.
In addition to active participation, each student will be required to complete a number of assignments based on our study of reference and information sources and services. These assignments and their weight in determining your final grade for this course are as follows:
Reference Interview Analyses (20%)
You will pose reference questions in different information environments and observe different approaches to reference and information service. This assignment is designed to help you begin turning a critical eye on reference services provided in person and in the Web-based environment through a combination of observation, interaction, and reflection. Analysis I (Face-to-Face) will be due on June 8th. Analysis II (digital reference) will be due on June 22nd
Reference Source Exercises (20%)
You will answer a number of sample reference questions using different tools. These short exercises are designed to help acquaint you with different types of reference tools (e.g., encyclopedias, indexes) and their use. You will also provide brief evaluations of the tool(s) used to answer each question. Assignments will be due on June 29th, July 8th, July 18th, and July 28th.
Pathfinder (20%)
You will develop a guide to core reference materials (print and electronic) for a specific area of study. This assignment is designed to help you become familiar with a variety of information resources in an area of interest to you and to prepare you for typical professional responsibilities for reference collection development and instruction. This assignment will be due on August 3rd.
Mock Digital Reference (20%)
You will be given the opportunity to provide answers to sample reference questions drawn from an archive of actual questions posed to a digital reference service. You will choose one question to answer and will provide comment on at least one of the answers provided by your classmates. These sample questions and opportunities for review will be made available by mid-July, and will be due no later than August 8th.
Submitting Assignments
Assignments must be submitted on their specified due dates. This is especially critical during the absurdly crowded summer session. Any assignment turned in after the due date, without the permission of the instructor, will have its total score reduced by one letter grade. You must have permission from the instructor to submit your assignment late prior to the due date. Any assignment turned in more than one week after the deadline will not be accepted for grading, and a failing grade will be recorded (unless a student has received an extension from the instructor).
Correct usage of academic English, spelling, grammar, and composition are expected, and all sources should be cited according to the most recent (5th) edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. For further information, see the SLIS APA Style Resources page.
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About Your Instructor
Scott Walter is currently the Assistant Dean for Information & Instructional Services at the University of Kansas Libraries. Prior to this, he served as Interim Assistant Director for Public Services & Outreach, Interim Head of Library Instruction, and Head of the George B. Brain Education Library, all at Washington State University. He has also served as a reference and information services librarian at The Ohio State University and at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Scott is an active member of the American Library Association, the Association of College & Research Libraries, and the American Educational Research Association (among others). He completed his M.L.S. at Indiana University, where he also completed an M.S. in History and Philosophy of Education. He has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Indiana University, Indiana State University, Washington State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Illinois.
There will be no specific online office hours set for this class, but your instructor will be available to answer questions submitted either through the Blackboard course site, or directly to my e-mail address. Please note that your instructor is on Central time, and that you should expect to receive a reply to any questions within 48 hours of receipt. Any extended absences that might affect response time will be announced through the Blackboard course site. You may also make an appointment to meet with me in the chat room available through the Blackboard course site.
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