LIS 601       Spring 2005                                                                                      

Information Sources & Services

Instructor:                   Carla Cantagallo  Reference Department W.T. Young Library

                                    257-0500 ext. 2099

                                    carla@uky.edu

Grading scale:  90 %-100 % = A;   80 %-89 % = B;   70 %-79 % = C;   69 % or less = E

% of Grade

Reaction Papers                                               15% (3 papers at 5% each)

Question Sets                                      50% (2 question sets at 25% each)

Final Exam                                                      25%

Class Attendance & Participation                   10% 

                                                                        100% TOTAL

*Please note: any assignment turned in late will automatically be lowered a letter grade.

ATTENDANCE:          Attendance is of utmost importance and will be taken into account for final grade; this means more than showing up for class.  Be prepared to take part in class discussions regarding the topics at hand.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Reaction Papers:          Three short papers written in response to article(s) read.

Question Sets:  Questions often asked of reference librarians; used to familiarize you with reference materials and build your skills using reference resources (both paper and electronic).

Final Exam:   A set of questions using various resources.

CALENDAR AND TOPICS:

January 13:                  Discuss syllabus, class structure and expectations.

January 20:                  History of Reference Services, Philosophy of Reference. Varieties of Reference Services.  Reference Services for Specific Populations.

January 27:                  The Reference Interview

February 3:                 Bibliographic Control, Organization of Information & Search Strategies

REACTION PAPER #1 due today.

February 10:   Library Instruction

February 17:               Electronic Reference Services. Reference Staff Training

February 24:               Organization and Management of Reference Services

                                    Evaluation of Reference Services. 

REACTION PAPER #2 due today

March 3:                     Introduction to Reference Sources  --  Selection & Evaluation of Reference              Sources.

Reference Sources: Bibliographies and Library Catalogs

March 10:                   Reference Sources: Directories, Almanacs, Yearbooks and Handbooks.

REACTION PAPER #3 due today.

QUESTION SET #1 handed out in class today, due March 31

March 17:                   SPRING BREAK – No Class

March 24:                   Reference Sources: Biographical Sources

QUESTION SET #2 handed out in class today, due April 14

March 31:                   Reference Sources: Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

QUESTION SET #1 due today.

April 7:                        Reference Sources: Indexes, Abstracts & Statistical Sources

April 14:                      Reference Sources: Business Sources, Geographical Sources

QUESTION SET #2 due today.

April 21:                      Reference Sources: Government Documents

            April 28:                      Class wrap-up:  The future of Reference Services

FINAL QUESTION SET will be handed out today                                     

            May 6: Final Question Set Due Today by 5:00pm