Kim Sprankle – ILS 504 S70 – Summer 2012 1
Reference Worksheet 2
Reference Worksheet 2
Kim Sprankle
ILS 504 S70
Summer 2012
Reference and Information Sources and Services
Southern Connecticut State University
Kim Sprankle – ILS 504 S70 – Summer 2012 2
Reference Worksheet 2
1. What is the correct title (i.e., please verify) of the pamphlet that Samuel Swett Green
wrote for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia? Any library report holding it?
Type of Reference Question:
Verification of bibliographic citation information in a historical document and provide
holdings information.
Resource Title: OCLC’s Worldcat
Search Strategy:
I conducted an advanced search in OCLC’s Worldcat using the search terms “Samuel
Swett Green” in the author field, “Philadelphia” in the title field, and “1876-1876” in the
year search box. This search yielded one record – the 15 page book, or pamphlet as it is
called above.
Answer:
The correct title is 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.
This pamphlet can be found at one location, according to Worldcat, and that is in the
holdings of the American Antiquarian Society’s Library, independent research library
founded in 1812 in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Citation:
Retrieved from Worldcat at http://tinyurl.com/7oym5u5
Citation of the verified pamphlet:
Green, S. S. (1876). 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.
Worcester Mass.: Press of Charles Hamilton. Central Exchange.
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.
Type of Reference Question:
Verification of bibliographic citation information for an article in a journal.
Kim Sprankle – ILS 504 S70 – Summer 2012 3
Reference Worksheet 2
Resource Title:
Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) (ProQuest) after verifying that
Reference Librarian was one of the journals indexed in the resource.
Search Strategy:
Since I was not sure if the information provided was correct, I conducted a basic search
by entering the title in quotes to see if there was an article with the specified title. The
results showed one result with the correct citation information.
Answer:
The publication year is not 1992, it is 1982.
Citation:
Peterson Holland, M., & Holland, M. P. (1982). Real-time searching at the reference
desk. Reference Librarian, (5/6)
http://search.proquest.com/docview/57118598?accountid=13743
3. What information goes into the first paragraph of the minutes of a meeting?
Type of Reference Question:
Locate procedural information and provide information.
Resource Title: Robert’s Rules of Order
Search Strategy:
I used the index to locate the topic “minutes” and found the section in the book. I
proceeded to read the entry and immediately came upon the “Content of the Minutes” and
found the information to answer the question.
Answer:
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)
2)
3)
4)
the kind of meeting: regular, special, adjourned regular, or adjourned special;
the name of the society or assembly;
the date and time of the meeting, and the place, if it is not always the same;
the fact that the regular chairman and secretary were present or, in their absence, the
names of the persons who substituted for them; and
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5) whether the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved-as read, or as
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” (see form, p. 454, l. 34-35).
Citation:
Robert, H.M. (2000). Robert’s rules of order: Newly revised. Boston, MA: Da Capo
Press.
4. When was the first swimming pool built in the white house?
Type of Reference Question:
Ready-reference question about a first of something.
Resource Title: Information Please Online Resource
Search Strategy:
I searched for “swimming pool” and “white house” in the general search box and
received 120 results. The second result had the title, “First Swimming Pool in the White
House”, so I selected it.
Answer:
The first swimming pool built at the White House was completed in 1933 by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt, who suffered from polio, built the pool in the West
Wing so he could use it to help strengthen his upper body.
The New York Daily News newspaper helped him raise money from American citizens to
pay for construction of the pool.
In 1969, President Richard Nixon had the pool filled in to turn it into an area for the press
to gather. In 1975, an outdoor pool was built during the presidency of Gerald Ford.
Citation:
When was the first swimming pool built in the White House? (n.d.). Infoplease.
Retrieved June 22, 2012, from
http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/swimming-pool-at-white-house.html
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Reference Worksheet 2
5. How many religious books were published in the U.S. in 2009?
Type of Reference Question:
Identify the number of books published in a given year by subject.
Resource Title:
Bowker’s The Library and Book Trade Almanac which is s subject-specific almanac.
Search Strategy:
I searched in the index for religious books, found the entry for numbers published by
year, 2009.
Answer:
7,997 religious books were published in the U.S. in 2009.
Citation:
Library and book trade almanac: The Bowker annual. (2010). Medford, NJ: Information
Today.
6. I want to see the review of the book HELP.
Type of Reference Question:
Locate and provide a book review.
Resource Title: EBSCO’s Book Index with Reviews
Search Strategy:
I conducted a search using the term “Help” in the title and chose “book” for the
publication type. The first result showed the book, “The Help” and I did not see any
other books with just “Help” in the title so I chose this book. However, if the patron was
available for a reference interview, I would have asked more open-ended questions to
help verify that “The Help” was indeed the book of interest. I selected the HTML FullText button on the left of the screen to look at the different full-text reviews that were
available and found one from the time-period when the book was published.
Answer:
From Kirkus Reviews, 01/01/2009:
The relationships between white middle-class women and their black maids in Jackson,
Miss., circa 1962, reflect larger issues of racial upheaval in Mississippi-native Stockett's
ambitious first novel. Still unmarried, to her mother's dismay, recent Ole Miss graduate
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Skeeter returns to Jackson longing to be a serious writer. While playing bridge with her
friends Hilly and Elizabeth, she asks Elizabeth's seemingly docile maid Aibileen for
housekeeping advice to fill the column she's been hired to pen for a local paper. The two
women begin what Skeeter considers a semi-friendship, but Aibileen, mourning her son's
recent death and devoted to Elizabeth's neglected young daughter, is careful what she
shares. Aibileen's good friend Minnie, who works for Hilly's increasingly senile mother,
is less adept at playing the subservient game than Aibileen. When Hilly, an aggressively
racist social climber, fires and then blackballs her for speaking too freely, Minnie's
audacious act of vengeance almost destroys her livelihood. Unlike oblivious Elizabeth
and vicious Hilly, Skeeter is at the verge of enlightenment. Encouraged by a New York
editor, she decides to write a book about the experience of black maids and enlists
Aibileen's help. For Skeeter the book is primarily a chance to prove herself as a writer.
The stakes are much higher for the black women who put their lives on the line by telling
their true stories. Although the expos is published anonymously, the town's social fabric
is permanently torn. Stockett uses telling details to capture the era and does not shy from
showing Skeeter's dangerous na™vet. Skeeter's narration is alive with complexity—her
loyalty to her traditional Southern mother remains even after she learns why the beloved
black maid who raised her has disappeared. In contrast, Stockett never truly gets inside
Aibileen and Minnie's heads (a risk the author acknowledges in her postscript). The
scenes written in their voices verge on patronizing. This genuine page-turner offers a
whiff of white liberal self-congratulation that won't hurt its appeal and probably spells big
success. Copyright 2008, VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Citation:
Retrieved from EBSCOhost at http://tinyurl.com/7exv8jf
Stockett, Kathryn. (2009). The help. Amy Einhorn Books, 2009. Book Index with
Reviews, EBSCOhost.
7. Where is Ethnic News Watch Indexed?
Type of Reference Question:
Identify the database(s) where a periodical is indexed.
Resource Title:
Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory
Search Strategy:
I conducted a basic search using ulrichsweb.com by typing in the periodical name,
“Ethnic News Watch” and saw two entries for a slightly modified spelling of the
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Reference Worksheet 2
periodical, “Ethnic NewsWatch”. The first entry identified that this periodical is an
electronic abstract/index database, available in both Spanish and English languages, and
presents a text collection of more than 1.8 million articles from more than 315
publications offering both national and regional coverage. The periodical started in 1990
and is available through ProQuest. The second entry shows that this serial was
previously offered in CD-ROM format, but is inactive.
Answer: ProQuest
Citation:
Retrieved from Ulrich’s Web Online at http://tinyurl.com/7y78nvh
8. Are there any African American News Publications in PA? Name 2 and provide
information about their contact information and editors.
Type of Reference Question:
Identify the names of current publications by subject and location by using a directory.
Resource Title:
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media
Search Strategy: Using the subject index in Volume 3 I searched for the topic “Black
Publications” and found the reference numbers and publication titles for African
American publications by state (I looked at PA) and was directed to Volume 2 that
contained the detailed information for each publication.
Answer:
Publication 1: 30776 Journal of Black Studies
Sage Publications Inc.
c/o Molefi K. Asante, Ed.
Temple University
Dept. of African American Studies
Gladfelter Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215)204-4322
Publication E-mail: advertising@sagepub.com
Publisher E-mail: info@sagepub.com
Journal containing economic, historical, and philosophical research on black people.
Founded: 1970.
Freq: Bimonthly
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Kim Sprankle – ILS 504 S70 – Summer 2012 9
Reference Worksheet 2
Editor: Molefi K. Asante
Associate Editor: Ama Mazama
Publication 2: 31038 Philadelphia New Observer
1520 Locust St., Ste. 501
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215)545-7500
Fax: (215)545-5548
Newspaper (tabloid) with features for Black and Hispanic audience.
Founded: 1975
Freq: Weekly (Wed.)
Editor and Publisher: Hugo J. Warren III
Citation:
Gagne, L. (ed.) (2009). Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media. Detroit,
MI: Gale Group.
9. What is the job outlook for Librarians in the next ten years?
Type of Reference Question:
Locate and provide information on employment trends over time.
Resource Title: Occupational Outlook Handbook Online
Search Strategy:
I went to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and found the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Online (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/) to conduct my search. Under Occupational Groups I
chose to limit my view to Education, Training, and Library and clicked-on Librarians. I
then chose Job Outlook to open a page summarizing the job outlook for librarians over
the next ten years.
Answer:
Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower
than the average for all occupations.
There will continue to be a need for librarians to manage libraries and staff and help
patrons find information. As electronic resources become more common, patrons and
support staff will be more comfortable using them, so fewer librarians will be needed for
assistance. However, the increased availability of electronic information is also expected
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Reference Worksheet 2
to increase the demand for librarians in research and special libraries, where they will be
needed to help sort through the large amount of available information.
Budget limitations, especially in local government and educational services, may slow
demand for librarians. Some libraries may close, reduce the size of their staff, or focus on
hiring library technicians and assistants, who can fulfill some librarian duties at a lower
cost.
Citation:
Retrieved from the Occupational Outlook Handbook Online
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm#tab-6
10. I will be teaching a course on Business and Economics Information sources, I need the
titles of two possible books with their reviews.
Type of Reference Question:
Locate the titles of possible textbooks by subject and provide reviews.
Resource Title: Guide to Reference and Booklist Online
Search Strategy:
I started the search by using Guide to Reference, browsing to the Social and Behavioral
Sciences subject index, and finding the category Economics and Business with 695
entries. I conducted a search using the search terms “business info source” which
resulted in 45 results. After doing a quick scan of titles, I noticed that many were
encyclopedias and directories, which are not necessarily the types of books to use as
textbooks. I found one title that appeared relevant and useful as a textbook in a course
about business and economic information sources. Since Guide to Reference does not
contain reviews I used Booklist Online to look for a review of the book and see if there
are other books that are identified as being useful as companion textbooks to this title. I
found one in the review of the first book that works well with it.
Answer:
Book 1
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
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Review from Booklist Online:
Business Information: How to Find It, How to Use It.
1992. 499p. Oryx, hardcover, $49.95 (0-89774-556-6); Oryx, paperback, $38.50 (089774-643-0). 650’.072. REVIEW. First published July, 1992 (Booklist).
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 CDROM, 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 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
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Reference Worksheet 2
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)
Book 2
Review from Booklist Online:
The Core Business Web: A Guide to Key Information Sources.
White, Gary W. (editor).
Sept. 2003. 325p. Haworth, hardcover, $49.95 (0-7890-2094-7). 025.06.
REVIEW. First published December 1, 2003 (Booklist).
This practical reference will save students and researchers hours of “googling” and
surfing time. It is divided into 25 areas of business, among them accounting, company
information, industry information, labor, real estate, and taxation. Contributors searched
the Web to find gateways, portals, directories, and metasites of business information. The
panel of mostly business librarians identified, evaluated, and summarized the most useful
sites based on timeliness, relevance and reliable content, east of navigation and use, and
authority of site’s author or publisher. Brief introductions provide background subject
material, and descriptions of each site are 5 to 10 meaty sentences. A detailed index
offers additional access points. Users of this volume will quickly be led to relevant Web
resources. — RBB
Citation:
Retrieved from the Guide to Reference Online at
http://www.guidetoreference.org/HomePage.aspx
And Booklist Online at
http://www.booklistonline.com/Default.aspx