LIBR 221-10
Government Information Sources
Spring 2005

Instructor: Sheri Irvin
E-mail
(909) 607-9526

GREENSHEET

| Textbooks and Readings | Accommodation of Disabilities |

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the wide variety of information sources produced by the government of the United States. The course will consider issues of access and the structure of information dissemination, and how the average citizen and the political system are affected. Although the main focus of the course will be on U.S. government sources, state/local and international sources will also be considered. Lectures, discussions, resource demonstrations, readings, and field trips will acquaint students with a broad understanding of the significance and use of government information sources.

Course Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Understand the significance of government information sources.
   • Promote the purpose and role of government sources.
   • Articulate the issues and trends that affect the dissemination and use of government sources.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of how government information sources are organized and used.
   • Describe the various formats (paper, microforms, CD-ROM/DVD, and online sources) of government information.
   • Understand the value of government sources to users in both public and academic libraries.
   • Identify the kinds of questions for which answers can be found in government information sources.
3. Understand the role and scope of a government information specialist.
   • Define the scope of a specialist’s professional activities and concerns.
   • Recognize and utilize the specialist’s information tools for answering government information questions.

Textbooks and Readings

Required Text
The required textbook is Judith Schiek Robinson, Tapping the Government Grapevine: the User-Friendly Guide to U.S. Government Information Sources, 3rd edition, Oryx Press 1998.

Assigned Readings
There will be other assigned readings.

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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 Jose 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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