Contact Info:
Instructors: G. Lynn Berard and Matthew R. Marsteller
G. Lynn Berard:
I. Introductions
II. Review of course syllabus, grading scheme, and assignments
III. History of reference service
IV. Philosophy of reference service
V. Types of reference materials – an introduction to the reference
process – Part One
A. Dictionaries and
encyclopedias.
B. Directories.
WEEKEND ONE: Saturday, Feb. 12
VI. Types of reference materials – Part Two
A. Yearbooks, handbooks
and almanacs.
B. Bibliographies and library
catalogs – Part One
VII. Types of reference materials – Part Three
A. Bibliographies and library
catalogs – Part Two.
B. Indexes and abstracts.
VIII. A visit to the Peters Township Public Library – a nearby library
that the class will use for working on assigned problem sets (tentative)
Types of reference materials – Part Four
A. Biographical Sources.
B. Directories
WEEKEND TWO: Friday, March 17
I. Review of problem set #1
II. Types of reference materials – Part Five
A. Geographical Sources.
III. Rousing reference discussions – discussion number one. Topic:
Burnout of reference librarians
IV. Types of reference materials – Part Six
A. Government Documents.
WEEKEND TWO: Saturday, March 18
V. Types of reference materials – Part Seven
A. Databases.
B. The Internet – Part One.
VI. Rousing reference discussions – discussion number two. Topic:
“Gaining cooperation” or marketing of reference services.
VII. Types of reference materials – Part Eight
A. The Internet – Part Two.
VIII. A second visit to the Peters Township Public Library – a nearby
library that the class will use for working on assigned problem sets (tentative)
IX. Introduction to Bibliographic Instruction
A. CMU Instruction
Video
X. Introduction to the reference process – Part One
A. Learning to walk – at
this point we’ve begun to familiarize ourselves with a variety of reference
tools. Now we’ll discuss the leap to receiving reference questions.
B. The reference interview
– part one.
1. General introduction.
WEEKEND THREE: Friday, April 14
XI. Review of problem set #2
XII. Introduction to the reference process – Part Two
A. The reference interview
– Part Two - Variations in reference interviews
B. Public Service principles
and policies
C. Selecting and maintaining
the reference collection
XIII. Rousing reference discussions – discussion number three.
Topic: “Increasing complexity of reference work”.
XIV. Introduction to the reference process – Part Three
A. The reference interview
– Part Three – Reference interaction role playing.
WEEKEND THREE: Saturday, April 15
XV. Review of Problem set #3
XVI. Rousing reference discussions – discussion number four.
Topic: “What the future holds for reference services”.
XVII. Bibliographic instruction presentations (from your pathfinder
topic).
XVIII. Professional responsibilities of the reference librarian.
XIX. Final Exam
XX. Closing thoughts of the instructors and general discussion.
| Problem Sets | 30% | Due: March 17, April 14 |
| Pathfinder/ Bibliographic Instruction | 15% / 15% | Due: To be presented in class April 15 |
| Reference Discussions | 20% | Due: March 17, 18 and April 14, 15 |
| Final Exam | 10% | Given on April 15 |
| Class Participation | 10% | Ongoing |
A. Problem sets (30% of course grade).
1. Problem set #1 – Dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, almanacs,
yearbooks, handbooks.
2. Problem set #2 – Bibliographies, library catalogs, biographical
sources, geographical sources.
3. Problem set #3 – Government documents, Databases, the Internet.
B. Pathfinder – students will be asked to pick a specific topic outside of library science (15% of course grade).
C. Bibliographic instruction – students will be asked to a select all or a portion of their pathfinder for a bibliographic instruction unit. The bibliographic instruction unit is to be presented in weekend three (15% of course grade).
D. Rousing reference discussions – students will be asked to locate and read five articles on various topics related to reference and reference service. The students will prepare a descriptive annotation and a summarization of their thoughts for each article. The articles will be the topic of discussion for the students and instructors (20% of course grade).
E. Final Exam (10% of course grade).
F. Class Participation (10% of course grade).
Statement of Scholarly Responsibility: Students are expected to follow normal practice in acknowledging the source of facts, ideas, summaries, quotations, and paraphrases used in their written work. Direct quotations must be enclosed in quotation marks and the exact source acknowledged. The use of another's words without attribution and without enclosing the words in quotation marks is plagiarism. Using facts, ideas and summaries derived from another source without indicating the source is also plagiarism. A close paraphrase may also be considered plagiarism - even if the source is named. Submitting another student's work as though it were your own is always plagiarism - even if the original paper has been paraphrased or otherwise modified. If you are in doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism, you are encouraged to consult with the instructor. Any student suspected of plagiarism will have the suspect passage pointed out to him/her and will be given an opportunity to explain why it should not be regarded as plagiarism. Depending on the severity of the infraction, penalties for plagiarism include 1) receiving a reduced grade for the assignment 2) redoing the assignment on a different topic 3) receiving a failing grade for the assignment, or 4) receiving a failing grade for the course. Students who are dissatisfied with the instructor's decision in such a case may - without prejudice - refer the matter to the attention of the department chair, the college dean, the provost and academic vice president, and/or the university Conduct Board, as described in the Student Rights and Regulations Handbook.
January 12, 2000