LIS601, Information Sources & Services UK Extension
Mildred Franks Louisville
Spring 2005
Wednesdays 6-8:30 p.m.
Ekstrom Library – Library Instruction Room, 2nd floor
Instructor: Mildred Franks, Ekstrom Library Reference Dept.
Office Hours: 3-5 Tuesdays, and by appointment
Phone: 852-8740
E-mail: mildred.franks@louisville.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to basic information systems, sources and services provided by libraries and other information organizations. Consideration is given to the ethics of information services, the user-system interface, question negotiation and the development of search strategies, and the evaluation of information systems, sources and services.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To understand the nature of information, information needs, and how people satisfy personal information needs.
To become familiar with a broad range of information systems, sources and services provided by libraries and other types of information-related organizations.
To get a sense of the history and development of basic reference tools.
To understand how people interact with information professionals and information systems when seeking information.
To understand the basic issues and strategies involved in managing and evaluating information systems, sources and services.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
Class sessions will be devoted to lectures/discussions which focus on selected subjects identified in the class schedule. Students are expected to prepare for the discussions by reading the assigned materials in the text and articles which will be on Reserve, and by examining the sources on the source lists provided by the instructor. Class attendance and active participation in the discussions are expected of all students.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Short papers (4) 5% each 20%
Practical exercises (4) 10% each 40%
Pathfinder 30%
Class Participation/presentation 10%
Grades: A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89.99
C = 70 – 79.99
E = less than 70
Student evaluations will be based on the following:
The SHORT PAPERS are as follows. In addition to the written report, each student will be expected to contribute their findings and conclusions to the class discussion.
1. (Due Jan. 26) Reference Interview report (see separate sheet for instructions)
Length: 4-6 pages, double spaced
2. Due date varies (see separate list) Write a brief history of a selected reference source and present the information to the class. Basic information can be found in Distinguished Classics of Reference Publishing, by James Rettig, on Reserve. At least one additional resource should be used.
Length: 4-6 pages, double spaced / Presentation: 10-15 minutes
3. (Due Mar. 23) Electronic sources: Pathfinder Report II
(See Pathfinder Assignment for details)
4. (Due Apr. 13) Article on Instruction.
Read an article on some form of library instruction for the age group and type of library of your particular interest. Write a brief summary with comment.
Length: 4-6 pages
The PRACTICAL EXERCISES: Using the lists provided, each information source should be examined in terms of evaluation criteria for reference sources (see Text, chapter 13).
Ø For each source list, the student is to prepare a sheet for each of 5 sources – 2 from the list provided by the Instructor and 3 sources discovered in the Reference stacks. For each source give a brief statement on format, scope, authority, treatment, arrangement, and special features. (See attached form).
Ø In addition, there will be questions to be answered using the sources on the source lists provided. Answers will be discussed in class on the designated days. Students will hand in their assignments prior to the discussions. In answering the questions, indicate the answer and the source or sources providing that answer. Answers to the questions should be found in the sources on the lists distributed in class. Students should not ask for assistance from the library staff, but you may work in groups as you search for answers. However, statement of the answer and listing of the source(s) should be the work of the individual. Any questions regarding the exercises should be addressed in class.
PATHFINDER: See separate Pathfinder Assignment sheet for details.
THE INSTRUCTOR WILL ASSIGN A GRADE OF E FOR THE COURSE TO ANY STUDENT FOUND GUILTY OF CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM ON AN EXAMINATION OR AN OUT-OF-CLASS ASSIGNMENT. YOU MAY DISCUSS THE PRACTICAL EXERCISES WITH OTHER STUDENTS--DISCUSSING A QUESTION AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS IS OK--HOWEVER, WHAT YOU TURN IN SHOULD REPRESENT YOUR INDEPENDENT EFFORT.
Choose one source and prepare a report on the history of how the source came about and special events in its reception and publication history. Basis for the report will be a chapter in Rettig’s Distinguished Classics of Reference Publishing, (Reserve) and at least 1 other source should be consulted. Written report and presentation to class due on the date indicated.
Guide to Reference Books
Oxford English Dictionary
Webster’s… and the Merriam-Webster family of Dictionaries
Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage
Roget’s Thesaurus
Encyclopedia Britannica
World Book Encyclopedia
Emily Post’s Etiquette
Encyclopedia of Associations
Statesman’s Year Book
World Almanac
National Union Catalog
Times Atlas of the World
Readers’ Guide… and the Wilson Indexes
Dictionary of National Biography
Science Citation Index
1/03/05
LIS601 – Spring 2005 – Franks (Louisville)
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Jan 12 |
Introductions Syllabus Library Website Reference History
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Ref. materials: What Elements Selection tools |
(Text 1, 13)
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Jan 19 |
Information: Definitions Info.Seeking & Behaviors |
Dictionaries
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Case: selections
Text 17
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Jan 26 |
Ref. Interview IP Behaviors Q. handling |
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Text 3 Ross & Dewdney RUSA …Behavioral.. |
Paper 1– Ref. Interview |
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Feb 2 |
Ethics |
Encyclopedias |
Text 2, & ALA Docs. Ferguson Text 18 |
Dict & Ency histories |
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Feb 9 |
Issues w/ Internet & Digital Ref. |
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Text pp.97-101 & 116-125 Zanin-Yost |
Dict & Ency Exer 1 |
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Feb 16 |
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Handbooks |
Text 15 |
Pathfinder I Handbook histories |
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Feb 23 |
Bibliographic control |
Bibliographies Minerva Worldcat |
Text 4 Text 20
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Handbook Exer 2 Bibliography histories |
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Mar 2 |
Search Strategies |
Indexes & Abstracts General |
Dilevko Text 21 |
Index histories |
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Mar 9 |
(cont.) |
Subject |
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Bibl.& Index Exer 3 |
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Mar16 |
SPRING |
BREAK |
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Mar 23 |
Government Pubs. Depository program Service/trends |
Gov. Sources Major ref. Pubs. Finding aids |
Text 22 |
Paper 3/Pathfinder II
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Mar 30 |
Instruction |
Geography sources |
Text 8 Text 19 |
Paper 4 - Instruction
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Apr 6 |
Special Populations |
Biographies |
Text 12 Text 16 |
Geog. Histories Biog. Histories |
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Apr 13 |
Management issues |
Statistics |
Text 9 and 11 |
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Apr20 |
Evaluation |
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Text 10 |
Geo,,Bio,Stats. Exer 4 |
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Apr27 |
DEAD |
WEEK |
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May 4 |
EXAM |
DATE |
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Pathfinder completed |
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Text:
Bopp, Richard and Linda Smith. Reference and Information Services. 3rd ed. Englewood, CO, Libraries Unlimited, 2002. (Reserve)
Readings which are indicated (Reserve) are on Reserve in Ekstrom Library (articles will be electronic). All others are available full-text through the Libraries databases, or on the web at the URL indicated.
ALA Documents: “Library Bill of Rights”; “Code of Ethics of the American Library Association”; and “Privacy, an Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.” All of these are available from the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom webpage: http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif
Case, Donald O. Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior. New York: Academic Press, 2002. Pages 5-9. 288-290, and Chapter 4 (pp. 64-78) (Reserve)
Dilevko, J, and L. Gottlieb, “Print Sources in an Electronic Age: A Vital Part of the Research Process for Undergraduate Students.” The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 28(6) (2002): 381-392.
Ferguson, Stuart and John Weckert. “The Librarian’s Duty of Care: Emerging Professionalism or a Can of Worms?” Library Quarterly, 68(4) (1998): 365-389.
Ross, Catherine and Patricia Dewdney, “Best Practices: An analysis of the best (and worst) in 52 public library reference transactions.” Public Libraries, 33 (Sept./Oct. 1994): 261-266. (Reserve)
RUSA (ALA’s Reference and User Services Assn. ) Guidelines, accessible from their website at: http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/referenceguidelines.htm
Zanin-Yost, A. “Digital Reference: What the Past Has Taught Us and What the Future Will Hold.” Library Philosophy and Practice, 43(2) (2002): 155-164.
Supplemental seminal and worthwhile readings:
David A. Tyckoson, “What’s right with reference,” American Libraries, 30.5 (May 1999): 57-63.
“Machine Help and Human Help in the Emerging Digital Library,” Ronald J. Heckart. College & Research Libraries, 59 (May 1998): 250-259.
“Some Ethical Aspects of Being an Information Professional.” Robert Wengwert. Library Trends, 49 (Winter 2001): 486-509.
J. E. Rowley, “The Controlled versus natural indexing languages debate revisited,” Journal of Information Science, 20.2 (1994): 108-119.
“Connecting Online Search Strategies and Information Needs: A User-Centered Focus-Labeling Approach." RQ, 36 (Summer 1997): 562-568
Robert Hulshof, “Providing services to virtual patrons,” Information Outlook, 3.1 (January 1999): 20-23.
“Introduction” in Locating United States Government Information; a Guide to Sources. Edward Herman. 2nd ed. 1997. pp. ix-xv (Ref. Desk J 83 .H4 1997)
“Access to Government Inforamtion,” Chapter 2 in Tapping the Government Grapevine, Judith Schiek Robinson. 1998. (Ref. Desk ZA 5055 .U6R63 1998)
“Flying a Light Aircraft: Reference Service Evaluation from a User’s Viewpoint.” RQ, 34 (Winter 1994): 217-230.
“Reference Is Better than We Thought.” Library Journal, vol. 127 (April 15,2002): 41-42.
“Dealing with International Students in a Multicultural Era.” Kwasi Sarkodie-Mensah. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 18 (Sept. 1992): 214-217.