LIBR 228-01
ADVANCED INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Spring 2005

Jo Bell Whitlatch
E-mail
Voice: 408-808-2005
Class meetings: 10 a.m. - 4 p. m.
Saturdays: 2/19; 3/12; 4/16; 5/14
Location varies - see calendar detail
Office Hours: By Appointment
King Library (KL)
4th Floor Administrative Offices

GREENSHEET

| Course Requirements | Grading |

Course Description

Survey of information sources, information transfer processes, and research patterns in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, including use characteristics, interpersonal communication, and query analysis. Topics covered will include library instruction, library guides, virtual reference systems, management, and evaluation of reference services. In addition, the course will emphasize specific skills judged essential for effective reference practice: oral and written communication, working effectively with other people, analysis, creative problem solving, and assessment.

Designed for students who wish to work in larger public or academic libraries.
Prerequisite: LIBR 202 and 210.

Objectives

1. To understand the process of information seeking in the sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
2. To demonstrate the ability to produce a library guide in both printed and electronic format in consultation with a faculty member.
3. To present, as a team member, an effective interactive teaching and learning session on a specific electronic source.
4. To develop an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of virtual reference systems.
5. To analyze the effectiveness of electronic answering sources for statistical queries.
6. To develop skills in evaluating reference service effectiveness.

This course relates to the following SLIS Objectives:

Teaching students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in:

• The foundations of information services;
• Information transfer;
• Information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources;

Course Requirements

Successfully completing assignments related to objectives (Section II, A-F). Participation during class sessions and on the class reflector. Use of basic HTML for student presentation pages.

Reading assignments must be completed in advance of class session. Readings are provided through links in the course Calendar page and through readings on Reserve, first floor King Library.

All papers must be typed, double spaced, with a font size of at least 12 points. Attending the four Saturday class sessions is essential. Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.

Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

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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Grading

• Annotated Article and Essay on Information Seeking
  (Feb 10) 10 percent
• Statistical Sources on Assigned Questions
  (March 2) 10 percent
• Analysis of Reference Services
  (March 24) 10 percent
• Evaluation of Reference Services
  (April 16) 20 percent
• Library Instruction Presentation
  (varies April 16, May 14) 20 percent
• Library Guide and Process Paper
  (May 1) 25 percent
• Participation in class and on WebCT
  (Feb 19 - May 14) 5 percent
  

All disputes over grades must be presented to the instructor in writing.

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Jo Bell Whitlatch 2004-12-28

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