KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
I.
Course Description: LIB 511 Reference and Information Services in Library
Settings, 3 s.h., 3 c.h.
This course presents the fundamental knowledge associated with the delivery of reference
services to library users. The primary emphasis is on the evaluation, selection, and
utilization of information sources used in reference service to respond to ready reference,
research, and reader’s advisory questions. Information sources will be identified,
categorized, and contrasted to identify their chief values in providing reference service.
II.
Course Rationale
An essential part of librarianship is providing effective reference service to library users.
Library professionals must understand the fundamental concepts, essential sources,
search techniques, and best-source selection needed in order to provide users with
accurate and authoritative answers to their information needs.
III.
Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
A.
Relationship to Standards
At the conclusion of the course the
student will be able to:
Evaluate and select information sources for
the library’s collection.
Develop a logical query and response pattern
as a foundation of the reference transaction.
Utilize appropriate search strategies to locate
and access information in diverse sources.
Compare and contrast the primary content
and strengths of the basic information
sources.
Apply reference interview techniques to
match efficiently library users’ information
needs and interests with sources of the
appropriate level and complexity.
Demonstrate an understanding of specialized
terminology of the profession used to
describe and explain information sources.
Utilize information found in professional
resources to ensure currency in reference
services.
PDE
ALA/AASL
INTASC
ISTE
ALA
I.B.4
I.C.2
1.2.B
1.3.A-D
4.1.A,C,D
4.2.A,B
4.3.B
I
II.C.
III.3.1
-5
I.B.4
I.C.2
I.C.2
1.1.A-C
1.2.B
1.3.A-D
4.1.A,C,D
I
I
II.C
I.C.1
I.C.2
1.2.A
I
III.B
VI.C
I.B.4
I.C.2
1.3.A-D
I
I.C.2
III.A
3.1.B
3.3.B,D
I
I
III.3.1
-5
III.3.1
-5
III.3.1
-5
III.3.1
-5
III.3.1
-5
B.
Relationship to Conceptual Framework
General Education
Through an introduction to a wide-range of
reference resources, the student acquires a very
broad general knowledge.
Content Specialization
Reference resources are key to content area of
librarianship
Communication
The reference interview – knowing how to help
a patron retrieve information – is an essential
component of this course.
Scholarly Inquiry
Because information formats change
continually, the student must have the ability
and desire to keep abreast of changes.
Integration of Discipline
Knowing how to help patrons acquire
information is a key lifelong learning skill.
Technology Integration
With information available in so many
electronic formats, students must be
technologically well informed.
IV.
Assessment
A.
Core Assignment (See attached)
B.
Other assessments based on a subset of the following:
1.
Documentation of required field work (4 hours)
2.
Reflection journals and papers
3.
Discussion forums
4.
Quizzes and exams
5.
Class attendance and participation
V.
Course Outline
A.
Course Outline Documentation
I.
Introduction to Reference and Information Services
A.
Types of Information Services
B.
Identifying the Reference Question
1.
The Reference Interview
2.
Categories of Information Needs
C.
Finding the Answer – Basic Search Techniques
II.
Introduction to Major Reference Sources
A.
Bibliographic Resources Related to Books, Serials, Libraries, Publishers,
Bibliographic Networks
B.
Encyclopedia Resources Related to General and Subject Inquiries
C. Dictionary Resources Related to General, Subject, Historical, Subject,
Quotations, Thesauri, Concordance, and Usage of Words
D.
Ready Reference Resources Related to Specific Fact Inquiries
E.
Resources for Current Events and Issues Related to General and Subject
Inquiries
F.
G.
H.
Resources for Geography Inquiries Atlases, Gazetteers, Maps, Geographic
Information, Systems and Travel Guides
Resources for the Lives of People Biographical Indexes, Dictionaries,
Encyclopedias, Obituaries, and Databases
Internet Resources as Reference Tools Selection and Evaluation of
World Wide Web Sites – Subscription and Free
III.
The Future of Information Services
B.
Other Policies
1.
Accommodations
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a
disability should privately contact the Director, Office of Service to Americans
with Disabilities to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact
the Director at 610-683-4108 in the Stratton Administration Building to
coordinate reasonable accommodations
2.
Academic Honesty
Any acts of academic dishonesty by students, such as plagiarism on written
papers or cheating on exams, threaten to undermine the educational and ethical
goals of the University for its students. Such violations are of the utmost
seriousness. The goal of the following policy and procedures is to promote a
climate of academic honesty for all individuals at the University (The Key, p.
47).
VI.
Instructional Resources
“Accessing Legal and Regulatory Information in Internet Resources and Documents.” Journal of
Library Administration 44:1 (2006): 263-324.
“ALA Outstanding Reference Sources.” Accessed Sept. 21, 2006.
<www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/ outstandingref/outstandingreference.htm>
American Library Association. “ALA Fact Sheet Number 26: Internet Use in Libraries.”
Available at <www.ala.org> Accessed Sept. 10, 2006.
“The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.” Accessed Oct. 21, 2006.
<http://www.bartleby.com>
“Ask a Librarian.” Accessed Sept. 21, 2006. <http://www.askalibrarian.org>
Aycock, Anthony. “Where’s Waldo: A Primer on People Searching Online.” Online 30/No. 1
(Jan./Feb.2006): 28-33.
Berenstein, Paula. “Location, Location, Location: Online Maps for the Masses.” Searcher
14/No.1 (January 2006): 16-25.
“Best Free Reference Web Sites: Seventh Annual List.” Reference and User Services Quarterly
45/No. 1 (Fall 2005): 39-44.
“California’s Ask Now”. Established 2003. Accessed Oct. 25, 2006. <http://www.asknow.org>
Feldman, Louise. “Selected Business Resources on the Web.” Colorado Libraries 31/No. 3 (Fall
2005): 34-35.
Fichter, Darlene. “SearchMaster: A New Role for Information Professionals.” Online
(March/April 2000):76-78.
Government Reference Sources. Accessed Sept. 21, 2006
<library.csun.edu/mfinley/govref.html>
Habermann, Julia. “Weblogs as a Source of Business News and Information.” Online 29/No. 5
(Sept./Oct. 2005): 35-37.
“Health and Medical Resources: Information for the Consumer.” Journal of Library
Administration 22:1/2 (2006): 395-428.
Hisle, Lee W. “Reference Questions in the Library of the Future.” Chronicle of Higher
Education (Sept. 30, 2005): B6-B8.
Hommerding, Leroy, and Phyllis Mandel. “Conducting the Reference Interview”. School
Library Journal 51.2 (Feb. 2005): 68+.
Infoplease: All the Information You Need. Accessed Sept. 21, 2006.
<http://www.infoplease.com/search>
The Internet Public Library. Accessed Oct. 25, 2006. <http//www.ipl.org>
Jacoby, JoAnn, and Nancy P. O’Brien. “Getting It Right-The Evolution of Reference
Collections.” The Reference Librarian 91/92 (2005): 5-22.
Katz, William A. Introduction to Reference Work: Basic Information Services, Vol I. 8th ed.
New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Kornegary, Becky, and Heide Buchananan. “Amazing, Magic Searches.” Library Journal
130:18 (November 2005): 44-46.
Library Spot: Reference Sources on the Web. Accessed Sept. 12, 2006.
<http://www.libraryspot.com>
“Mendelsohn, Jennifer. “Learning Electronic Reference Resources: A Team Learning Project for
Reference Staff.” College and Research Libraries (July 1999):372-383.
Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Accessed Sept. 21, 2006. <http://www.merriamwebster.com>
“Outstanding Academic Titles”. Choice 41:5 (Jan. 2004):831-864.
Puacz, Jeanne H. “Electronic vs. Print Reference Sources in Public Library Collections.” The
Reference Librarian 91/92 (2005): 39-51.
“References on the Web”. School Libraries in Canada 50:10 (Oct. 2004): 9-14.
References for Children’s Librarians. Accessed Sept. 21, 2006.
<http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/kids/ref.html>
Ross, Katherine S. Conducting the Reference Interview: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians.
Neal-Schumann, 2002.
Safford, Barbara. “American History: An Outstanding Database”. School Library Media
Activities 20:8 (April 2004):86.
Safford, Barbara. “Hybrid Database: Wildlife Reference Center.” School Library Media
Activities Monthly 20:2 (Oct. 2003) 27-29.
Useful Reference Sources. Updated March 26, 2005. Accessed Sept. 21, 2006.
<www.lib.utexas.edu/refsites/
Welch, Jeanie M. “Silent Partners: Public Libraries and Their Services to Small Businesses and
Entrepreneurs.” Public Libraries 44/No. 5 (Sept./Oct.2005): 282-286.
Woodward, Beth. “One-on One Instruction: From the Reference Desk to Online Chat.”
Reference and User Services Quarterly 44/No.3 (Summer 2005): 203-209.