Reference Worksheet #2
ILS 504 S70 Spring 2012
Jennifer Stephens
Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
1. What is the correct title (i.e., please verify) title of the pamphlet that Samuel
Swett Green wrote for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia? Any
library report holding it?
Question Analysis: Verification of information regarding a historical document
Resource Choice: Biography or bibliography of Green
Search Strategy: I was unable to find the information using any of the sources
given to our group for analysis. Next, I conducted search through the iConn
database of the online resource, Gale Biography In Context, by searching for
“Green, Samuel Swett”. This returned a biographical entry that mentioned
Green’s 1876 speech and his prominent role in establishing the American Library
Association, but did not give the title. Because I have the author name and date, I
then resorted to searching WorldCat using these parameters and found a listing for
The Desireableness of Establishing Personal Intercourse and Relations Between
Librarians and Readers in Popular Libraries.: A paper read at the conference of
librarians held in Philadelphia, October 4th, 5th and 6th, 1876. Because the title
names the conference location and dates, I am confident this is the correct answer.
Answer: The correct title is The Desirableness of Establishing Personal
Intercourse and Relations between Librarians and Readers in Popular Libraries
by Samuel Swett Green. It is currently held in 11 libraries registered with
WorldCat (a combination of 2 copy listings with different author-name
capitalization), the closest being Columbia University Library in New York and
the furthest being The British Library, St. Pancras in London.
Citation: Retrieved from WorldCat:
http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=green%2C+samuel+swett&dblist=638&fq=yr
%3A1876&qt=facet_yr%3A
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
2. Please help me verify the following: Holland, Maurita Peterson, "Real-time
Searching at the Reference Desk," The Reference Librarian 5/6 (1992): 165-71.
Question Analysis: Verification of citation information
Resource Choice: Bibliography of Index of periodicals
Search Strategy: I first consulted the 1992 edition of Bibliographic Index, which
did not yield any results. I then switched to Consuls for a database search.
Through a search for the author’s name in ProQuest’s Library and Information
Abstracts (LISA) database, I found the article and determined that the year of the
publication was incorrect.
Answer: Holland, Maurita Peterson, “Real-time Searching at the Reference
Desk”, The Reference Librarian 5/6 (October, 1982).
Citation: Peterson Holland, Maurita, & Holland, M Peterson. (1982). Real-time
searching at the reference desk. Reference Librarian, (5) Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/57118598?accountid=13743
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
3. What information goes into the first paragraph of the minutes of a meeting?
Question Analysis: Locate procedural information
Resource Choice: Manual or Handbook
Search Strategy: Consult Robert’s Rules of Order for detailed Parliamentary
Procedures that are adaptable to modern methods of meeting organization. Search
index for “Meetings, minutes”
Answer: Section 48: MINUTES AND REPORTS OF OFFICERS
Subsection: Minutes
Heading: Content of the Minutes
“The first paragraph of the minutes should contain the following
information (which need not, however, be divided into numbered or
separated items directly corresponding to those below):
1) the kind of meeting: regular, special, adjourned regular, or adjourned
special;
2) the name of the society or assembly;
3) the date and time of the meeting, and the place, if it is not always the
same;
4) the fact that the regular chairman and secretary were present, or, in
their absence, the name of the person who substituted for them; and
5) whether the minutes of the previous meeting were read and
approved—as read, or corrected—and the date of that meeting if it was
other than a regular business meeting. Any correction is made in the
text of the minutes being approved; the minutes of the meeting making
the correction merely state that the minutes were approved “as
corrected.”
Citation: Robert, H.M. (2000). Robert's rules of order: Newly revised. 10th
edition.
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
4. When was the first swimming pool built in the white house?
Question Analysis: A Ready Reference question in the subject of American
History
Resource Choice: Almanac (factual reference source)
Search Strategy: Conduct a search in Famous First Facts by searching the index
for “Swimming Pool”
Answer: The first White House swimming pool was built in 1933, formally
accepted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on June 2nd.
Citation: Kane, J.N. (1997). Famous first facts: Fifth edition. New York: H.W.
Wilson.
5. How many religious books were published in the U.S. in 2009?
Question Analysis: Locate a documented count of published books for a given
year
Resource Choice: Subject-specific Almanac
Search Strategy: The 2010 edition of Bowker’s The Library and Book Trade
Almanac contains counts of publications listed by subject.
Answer: 7,967
Citation: Bogart, D. (ed.) (2010). The Library and Book Trade Almanac.
Medford, NJ: Information Today.
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
6. I want to see the review of the book HELP
Question Analysis: Locate a complete book review
Resource Choice: Bibliography with reviews
Search Strategy: Assuming the patron is referring to the novel The Help by
Kathryn Stockett published in 2009, the 2009 edition of Book Review Digest
would be an appropriate resource to locate a variety of complete (or excerpts of)
book reviews from trusted sources.
Answer:
An excerpt from Christian Science Monitor, 101(66), p. 14 (March 3,
2009) –Heller McAlpin
“Stockett’s debut novel is about crossing lines—racial, societal, emotional—in
Jackson, Miss., in 1962. It crosses your brain barrier, too, with its compulsively
absorbing symphony of voices. …Stockett skillfully interweaves her characers’
stories, capuring their courage, fear, and pride. …A book driven by guilt could
have been mawkish, but Stockett’s ear for both outrage and humor and her earnest
efforts to correct stereotypes pay off—despite her decision to convey only black
voices in dialect, with nary a dropped ‘g’ among her generally less sympathetic
Southern white characters.”
Citation: Doyle, C. (ed.) (2009). Book Review Digest.
7. Where is Ethnic News Watch Indexed?
Question Analysis: Locate an appropriate database to access an index
Resource Choice: Database that lists indexes
Search Strategy: I conducted a title search for “Ethnic NewsWatch” on
ulrichsweb.com, The Global Source for Periodicals, which generated two results.
There is a listing for “CD-ROM” format, and for an “Online” format, which gives
additional information that the “Serial Type” is “Abstract/Index, Database”.
Answer: ProQuest indexes Ethnic NewsWatch in the online format. The Start
Year is 1990 and it contains text in Spanish and English. Description: “Presents a
text collection of more than 1.8 million articles from more than 315 publications
offering both national and regional coverage.”
Citation: http://www.ulrichsweb.com
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
8. Are there any African American News Publications in PA? Name 2 and provide
information about their contact information and editors.
Question Analysis: Locate names and detailed information on current
publications by geographic location
Resource Choice: Directory
Search Strategy: I consulted the Subject Index in Volume 3 of Gale Directory of
Publications and Broadcast Media and located a heading called “Black
Publications”, which is organized alphabetically by state. I chose two listings that
included the name and reference number, and then referred to Volume 2, which
gives detailed information on media in Pennsylvania.
Answer:
1. Journal of Black Studies [30796]
Mokefi K. Asante, Editor
“Journal containing economic, historical, and philosophical research on black
people”
Sage Publications Inc.
c/o Molefi K. Asante, Dept. of African American Studies
Temple University
Gladfelter Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215)204-4322
Publication email: advertising@sagepub.com
Publisher email: info@sagepub.com
2. New Pittsburgh Courier [31223]
Lou ransom, Managing Editor
Rod Doss, Editor and Publisher
“Black community newspaper”
315 East Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412)481-8302
Citation: Gagne, L. (ed.) (2009). Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast
Media. Detroit: Gale Group.
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
9. What is the job outlook for Librarians in the next ten years?
Question Analysis: Information regarding national employment projections
Resource Choice: Government Information
Search Strategy: I accessed the reference tool “Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2010-11 Edition”, located on the website for the U.S. Department of Labor’s
Bureau of Labor Statistics. I conducted a keyword search for “librarian” within
the OOH website, which brought me to a page that gives an overview of the field.
On the page under the Answer: “Job Outlook” subheading, I found the following
information:
“Job growth is expected to be as fast as the average and job opportunities are
expected to be favorable, as a large number of librarians are likely to retire in the
coming decade.”
“Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2008 and
2018, which is as fast as the average for all occupations.”
Citation: U.S. Department of Labor. (2010). Occupational outlook handbook:
2010-2011 edition [online]. Retrieved February 28, 2012 from
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
10. I will be teaching a course on Business and Economics Information sources, I
need the titles of two possible books with their reviews.
Question Analysis: Locate titles of reference works with reviews available
Resource Choice: Subject Index
Search Strategy: I used the online Guide to Reference website and browsed
within the “Social and Behavioral Sciences” category and its subheading of
“Economics and Business”, which includes 695 entries. Narrowing the results
further to the subheading “Basic Industry Information” yields 27 results.
Narrowing even further to the subheading “Overviews” returns 15 results. I chose
two print sources that addressed retrieval of economic and business data and
consulted Booklist for reviews.
Answer:
1. Industry research using the economic census: how to find it, how to use it.
Jennifer C. Boettcher, Leonard M. Gaines
Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2004
DESCRIPTION: xv, 305 p., ill., 1 map
LCC: HC101.B594
DEWEY: 338.097300727
ISBN: 157356351X
Review: BookList, 03/15/2005
The U.S. Economic Census contains data essential to understanding the U.S.
economy and determining its current health. It can also help users recognize
trends in different industries, target marketing and sales, and understand key
economic indicators. This handbook explains "the Census concepts, methods,
terminology, and data sources" and also explains how to locate needed census
data. The six chapters in part 1, "Understanding the Economic Census," cover
its history, procedures, terminology, reports, and more. Part 2, "Selected
Industries," highlights agriculture, transportation and warehousing,
manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and other sectors. In each of these chapters,
Boettcher and Gaines define the industry, then discuss its changing nature,
how it is covered in the Economic Census, how the data are made available,
and how the data are used. They also give information on other data sources
that provide current information in between census years. Tables at the end of
each industry chapter compare NAICS codes and text with SIC codes and
text. Appendixes contain sample questionnaires and lists of regional federal
depository libraries, State Data Center and Business and Industry Data Center
lead agencies, and Census Bureau regional offices. A thorough index,
including authors, titles, agencies, symbols, and other important terms and
concepts, facilitates access. This practical guide to finding and using the
multitude of data in the Economic Census will be useful in public and
academic libraries, and special business collections will definitely want to
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
purchase it. -- Susan Awe. Booklist, published by the American Library
Association.
2. Business information: How to find it, how to use it.
Michael R. Lavin
Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1992
DESCRIPTION: xi, 499 p., ill.
LCC: HF5356.L36
DEWEY: 650.072
ISBN: 0897746430
Review: BookList, 07/01/1992
The first edition of this book received a favorable review from the Board
[RBB Je 15 87]. Lavin has now updated it with new and expanded coverage of
topics and sources, new illustrative pages, and greatly expanded coverage of
electronic products, especially CD-ROM, which was barely mentioned in the
first edition. Six chapters are completely new, and all others have been
enlarged, although one on job hunting and consumer information has been
dropped.
As before, this is not meant to be a comprehensive bibliography of business
sources; it does not mention nearly as many titles as does Lorna Daniells'
Business Information Sources (Univ. of California, 1985) or Encyclopedia of
Business Information Sources (8th ed., Gale, 1990). It is designed to provide
in-depth descriptions of major business publications that, while representing
the author's "personal preferences and biases" are also "authoritative,
respected works . . . among the most frequently used by researchers . . . [that]
best illustrate the concepts under discussion . . . display unique features
[and/or] reflect the rich diversity of published information." Lavin's emphasis
remains on the importance of planning search strategies and developing a
critical eye in appraising sources and information.
Each chapter lists at the beginning the major titles to be covered but then
includes many more. Featured titles receive long descriptions, but competitive
titles are also given brief mention and contrasted with the featured one; for
example, Thomson Bank Directory is given a 11/2-column description that
ends with a paragraph about Polk's World Bank Directory, telling of
similarities and differences. Chapters begin with an overview of the topic and
then go on to detailed analysis of the featured sources, frequently mentioning
things to watch out for. For example, in chapter 18, "Marketing Information,"
Levin points out that different companies may arrive at their data in different
ways and thus figures may vary widely. Annotated suggestions of books and
articles end all chapters.
Examples of the expanded information on electronic sources include seven
pages about online databases in general compared with three pages in the
earlier edition; ABI/INFORM is now described in about two pages, including
sample citations and mention of its CD-ROM version and of several
companion products, while formerly it was mentioned only in two separate
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Jennifer Stephens
ILS 504 S70, Spring 2012
Reference Worksheet #2
sentences. The very new (early 1991) CD-ROM version of Predicasts F & S
Index, called F & S Index Plus Text, is described and contrasted both to its
print format and to PROMT.
As before, accurate title and subject indexes are provided. All mentions of a
title are indexed, but again no indication is given as to which is the major
description of a title as opposed to only a brief mention.
This source is one that can be used both for quick reference and for long-term
study. Librarians new to the business field can read it for a good grounding in
important sources and in planning search strategies. Experienced librarians
can use it to remind themselves of the special features of titles and also to
update themselves on new sources and how they compare with others.
Libraries may want circulating copies so that in-depth study is possible. This
new expanded and updated edition of Business Information is both
authoritative and affordable. Libraries serving a business clientele will find its
selective focus meets a variety of needs. ((Reviewed July 1992)). Booklist,
published by the American Library Association.
Citation: American Library Association. Guide to reference [online].
Retrieved February 28, 2012 from
http://www.guidetoreference.org/Browse.aspx
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