Sandra Hirsh, Professor
8AM - 9:15AM, Tuesday and Thursday, Psych 306
Office Room 10, 621-5220
Email: shirsh@ccit.arizona.edu
Office Hours: 1-2PM, Tuesday and Thursday, or by appointment
Class Listserv: LIS524
This is an introductory course that examines how reference librarians and information professionals conduct reference work in all types of libraries and information centers. The course covers the evaluation of basic reference materials in print and electronic formats and the search strategies and interviewing skills needed to answer questions posed by patrons or clients.
Bopp, R.E. and Smith, L.C. (1995). Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. 2nd edition. Libraries Unlimited: Englewood, CO.
Supplementary Read packet (available at the ASUA Bookstore).
2. Observation Report (15%)
You will be required to spend 4 hours observing the service, organization, and environment of a reference department. You may conduct this observation at any type of library – public, academic, school, or special library. You will write a 5-6 page paper based on your observations. Some questions to keep in mind as you observe the reference area are: library setting and environment (including signage), reference services offered, clientele, types of questions asked, and organization of the collection. These observations will be discussed in class on the due date.
3. Encyclopedia Report (15%)
You will compare an encyclopedia in print and electronic formats (CD-ROM, SABIO, WWW) and write a 5 page paper on the advantages and disadvantages to accessing information in both formats. Consider the following: scope, audience, currentness, organization, indexing/access issues, quality, authority, comprehensiveness, accuracy, clarity, objectivity, and "value-added" features (e.g., graphics, maps, sound, video, web links).
4. Examinations (55%)
This course will have 3 exams (2 midterms and a final exam) comprised of short-answer and essay questions. The short answer questions will simulate the types of questions posed at a reference desk, and answers can be located among the items included in the sources lists. The essays will derive from the issues addressed in lectures, class discussions, and the Reads.
5. Class Participation (5%)
Students are expected to participate in class discussion, as well as participate on the class listserv (LIS524) and outside listservs related to reference (e.g., LIBREF-L).
Search Strategy:
Benson, J., and Maloney, R.K. (1975). Principles of searching. RQ, 14 (4), 316-320
Bibliography:
Benaud, C-L, & Bordeianu, S. (1993). OCLC’s FirstSearch: A reference tool still evolving. Reference Services Review, 21 (2), 7-16.
Reference Interview:
Dervin, B. and Dewdney, P. (1986). Neutral questioning: a new approach to the reference interview. RQ, 25 (4), 506-513.
Larson, C.A., and Dickson, L.K. (1994). Developing behavioral reference desk performance standards. RQ, 33 (3), 349-357.
Smith, N.M., and Fitt, S.D. (1982). Active listening at the reference desk. RQ, 21 (3), 247-249.
Tyckoson, D.A. (1992). Wrong questions, wrong answers: Behavioral vs. Factual evaluation of reference service. Reference Librarian, 38 (December), 151-173.
Electronic Reference
Lancaster, F.W. et al. (1994). Searching databases with CD-ROM: Comparison of the results of end-user searching with results from two modes of searching by skilled intermediaries. RQ, 33 (3), 370-386.
Piternick, A.B. (1990). Decision factors favoring the use of online sources for providing information. RQ, 29 (4), 534-544.
Tenopir, C. (1995). Integrating electronic reference. Library Journal, 20 (6), 39-40.
Dictionaries
Kister, K.F. (1992). Kister’s Best Dictionaries for Adults and Young People: A Comparative Guide. Phoenix, AZ: Oyrx Press. p. 61-73.
Sader, M. (1988). Chapter 9: What to look for in dictionaries and word books. General Reference Books for Adults: Authoritative evaluations of encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries. New York: R.R. Bowker. p. 227-238.
Internet Reference
Kalin, S.W. (1991). Beyond OPACs…The wealth of information resources on the Internet. Database, 14 (4), 28-33.
Ladner, S.J. (1993). Using the Internet for reference. Online, 17 (1), 45-51.
Lanier, D., and Wilkins, W. (1994). Ready reference via the Internet. RQ, 33 (3), 359-367.
Encyclopedias
Kister, K.F. (1994). Kister’s Best Encyclopedias: A comparative guide to general and specialized encyclopedias. 2nd ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. p. 15-20.
Sader, M. (1988). Chapter 5: What to Look for in Encyclopedias. General Reference Books for Adults: Authoritative evaluations of encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries. New York: R.R. Bowker. p. 57-62.
Valauska, E.J. (1995). Britannica Online: Redefining encyclopedias for the next century. Database, 18 (1), 14-19. Not in readings.
Reference Evaluation
Bunge, C.A. (1984). Potential and reality at the reference desk: Reflections on a "Return to the Field." Journal of Academic Librarianship, 10 (3), 128-132.
Campbell, J.D. (1992). Shaking the conceptual foundations of reference: A perspective. Reference Services Review, 20 (4), 29-36.
Dewdney, P., & Ross, C.S. (1994). Flying a light aircraft: Reference service evaluation from a user’s viewpoint. RQ, 34 (2), 217-230.
Durrance, J.C. (1989). Reference success: Does the 55 percent rule tell the whole story? Library Journal, 114 (April 15, 1989), 31-36.
Hernon, P., and McClure, C.R. (1987). Library reference service: An unrecognized crisis – A symposium. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 13 (2), 69-74.
Miller, W. (1984). What’s wrong with reference: Coping with success and failure at the reference desk. American Libraries, 15 (5), 303-306, 321-322.
Geographic Sources
Sader, M. (1988). What to look for in atlases. General Reference Books for Adults: Authoritative evaluations of encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries. New York: R.R. Bowker. p. 149-161.
Government Documents
Maxwell, B. (1995). The 10 Best Federal Government Internet Sites. Database, 18 (4), 42-47.
Business
Lavin, M.R. (1992). Chapter 1: Sources and forms of business information. Business Information: How to find it, How to use it. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, p. 3-22.
Technostress
Cline, P. (1993). Confessions of a reference technophile. Reference Librarian, 39, 5-11.
Kupersmith, J. (1992). Technostress and the reference librarian. Reference Services Review, 20 (2), 7-14, 50.
Stieg, M.F. (1990). Technology and the concept of reference or what will happen to the milkman’s cow? Library Journal, April 15, 115 (7), 45-49.
Trade Bibliography
Forthcoming Books
American Book Publishing Record
Cumulative Book Index (5th floor oversize Z 1219)
Publisher's Trade List Annual
Books in Print (desk)
Subject Guide to Books in Print (desk)
British National Bibliography Z 2001 B75
Children's Encyclopedias
World Book AE 5
Compton's AG 5
New Book of Knowledge AG 5
Subject Encyclopedias
Encyclopedia of World Art N 31
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians ML 100
Encyclopedia of Philosophy B 41
New Catholic BX 841
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences H 40
McGraw Hill Science/Technology Q 121 (newest in Science)
Guide to American law. KF 156
Encyclopedia of Religion. BL 31
Statistical Sources
Statistical Abstract of the U.S. (desk)
County and City Data Book HA 202
Rand McNally Commercial Atlas (atlas case)
Historical Statistics of the U. S. HA 2202
Arizona Statistical Abstract HC 107
American Statistical Index (ASI) HA 209.A43 (main ref)
Standard Reference Index (SRI) HA209 S75 (main ref)
Business Information
Standard Industrial Classification Manual (desk)
Encyclopedia of Business Information HF 5353
Business Periodicals Index (table K)
Predicasts Funk and Scott United States (table K)
Infotrac "General Business File" (CD)
Moody's Industrial Records HG 4961
Standard and Poor Corporation Records HG 4501
Dun and Bradstreet Million Dollar Directory (desk)
Value Line (current periodicals)
Brands and Companies T 22
Thomas Register HD 9720
Literature
Harner Literary Research Guide PR 83
Modern Language Association. International Bibliography (print and CD)
New Cambridge Bibliography English Literature Z2001
Magill. Literary Criticism Z 6511
Essay and General Literature Index. (Table d)
American Writers PS 129
Contemporary Literary Criticism (Table D)
Dictionary of Literary Biography PS 221
Benet Reader's Encyclopedia PN 41
Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature
Quotations - Bartlett, Stevenson, Oxford