Syllabus for Information Sources and Services LS 500

Fall 2002

Saturday's:  Sept. 14 ; Sept. 28; Oct. 26;  Nov.9.

Contact Info:

Instructors:  G. Lynn Berard and Matthew R. Marsteller

G. Lynn Berard:

• Head, Science Libraries,
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
• Phone: (412) 268-2428 Fax: (412) 681-1998
• Email: lberard@andrew.cmu.edu

• Physics and Math Librarian
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Pittsburgh, PA  15213-3890
• Phone:  (412) 268-7212  Fax: (412) 681-1998
• Email:  matthewm@andrew.cmu.edu

 
Email is the preferred way to reach us but feel free to call if you wish.  Email will be answered within 24 hours of receipt and is acceptable at any point outside of formal office hours.  We  have voice mail at CMU and will return calls as soon as possible.

Office Hours:    Mondays, 11AM to Noon;  Thursdays, 1PM to 2PM                                                                  By phone, or on Blackboard in the Virtual Classroom.

Text:   Reference and Information Services:  An Introduction/ by Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith, 3rd. Edition.

Reserve:  As the semester unfolds additional readings will be noted..   This web site will be updated with detailed information on all of the course readings and projects.

Syllabus URL:  http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~lberard/ls500Fall02.html.

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•  Introductions
• Review of course syllabus, grading scheme, and assignments
• History of reference service
• Philosophy of reference service
• Types of reference materials – an introduction to the reference process
•         Dictionaries and  encyclopedias.
•         Yearbooks, handbooks and almanacs.
•          Directories.
•         Bibliographies and library catalogs
•          Biographical Sources.
•  Rousing reference discussion

Readings:  Chapters 1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20

WEEKEND TWO:  Saturday, Sept. 28
 

•   Introduction to the reference process
•         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.
• The reference interview
•         General introduction.
• Review of problem set #1
• Types of reference materials
•           Databases.
•         The Internet
• Visit to the South Fayette Township Library - Guest speaker:  Jackie Schmitt-Marsteller, Director.
•         Geographical Sources.
•         Government Documents.
•   Rousing reference discussion

Readings: Chapters 3,4,5,6, 11, 12, 19, 21, 22

WEEKEND THREE:  Saturday, Oct. 26

•  Review of problem set #2
• The reference interview –  Variations in reference interviews (role playing)
• Public Service principles and policies
• Selecting and maintaining the reference collection
• A visit to the Canonsburg Public Library. Lynn Crouse, Head Librarian
• Assessment and evaluation of reference services and staff
• Rousing reference discussion
• Introduction to Bibliographic Instruction;  CMU Instruction Video

Readings: Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 13

WEEKEND FOUR:  Saturday, Nov. 9

• Review of Problem set #3
• Chat software - let's play!
• Rousing reference discussion
• Bibliographic instruction presentations (from your pathfinder topic)
• Professional responsibilities of the reference librarian.
• Final Exam
• Closing thoughts of the instructors and general discussion.

Grading:Grades will be based on regular class attendance, participation in class, the completion of course projects and a course final.

Course Assignments:

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.
 

Special Needs: Students with learning disabilities and/or special physical requirements should make their needs known to us.  We will make every effort to assist you.

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.

Sept. 5, 2002