Course Objectives:

• To become familiar with the essential characteristics and aspects of the reference process and service;
• To develop a personal philosophy of reference service;
• To examine the reference process as a functional service offered at traditional library service points as well as virtually, by phone, in your office, etc.
• To become familiar with reference work in all types of libraries and information centers;
• Be able to master skills necessary for analyzing and answering reference queries;
• Acquire research skills and become familiar with the professional literature on reference work.

Contact Info:

Instructor:  G. Lynn Berard
Principal Librarian, Science Libraries
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Phone: (412) 268-2428      Fax: (412) 681-1998
Email: lberard@andrew.cmu.edu
**Email is the preferred way to reach me 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:   I will hold an office hour each week on Tuesdays from 10am to 11am.  I  am available on email and will do my best to respond as quickly as possible...

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 listed in Blackboard.

Syllabus URL:  http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/lberard/ls500REFFall08.html

I am setting up 14 course sessions for this course, a new one to be available on Blackboard on Sunday evenings (see Course Schedule).During each session you should find an introduction to the topic, followed by a PowerPoint presentation/discussion of the topic via Camtasia software, readings and either a weekly discussion board question to respond to OR an exercise to complete will be setting up 5 assignments to be completed during the course (due dates will be provided) and will be administering a final exam, as required by the Department of Library Science for all core courses.  The exam will be completed in Blackboard during finals week (Dec. 8-12, as scheduled).

I will be utilizing a variety of  interactive technologies including a voice-over software product called “Camtasia” which will enable me to record class lectures for you and/or the *new* Wimba Classroom software recently purchased by Clarion University. To access my Camtasia lectures, click on a URL which I will provide and it will appear on your screen. No special software is required at the student end; just be sure to have either speakers or headphones ready to go so you can hear my voice.

I am new to the virtual classroom software, Wimba, so we will be experimenting with its powerful, interactive capabilities.  We will work together to find a good time to meet in this virtual classroom and I will also make sure that the transcript of the classroom meetings will be archived for those who cannot attend.  This software requires a set of headphones and a microphone so that you can hear the lecture and speak when called upon.  Headsets with built-in microphones range in price from $15 to hundreds.  Inexpensive ones are just fine and are available at local stores such as WalMart, Target, etc. 

Wimba Classroom Requirements:
All students should be able to access Wimba Classroom.  Please make sure that you meet the following system requirements:

Once you have successfully completed the setup wizard on the computer that you are using, you should not need to run the setup again.

Wimba Technical Support: 
If you have technical difficulties or cannot complete the setup wizard successfully, please contact Wimba's technical support at: 1-866.350.4978 (US & Canada) 

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Grading:    Grades will be based on  participation in class, the completion of course exercises and a course final exam.  See table below.
                Grading scale is as follows:
                 A =  90-100
                 B =  80-89
                 C =  70-79
                 D =  60-69
                 E = 0-59

A. Problem sets (40% of course grade).

Course Schedule:  subject to minor changes

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

Note: Clarion University of Pennsylvania regards student participation in class as essential to the learning process. Therefore regular classroom attendance is required. It is understood that absence does not excuse the student from course work and the responsibility to complete assignments on time. The instructor should be notified in advance of planned absences and arrangements will be made to complete missed work. The instructor is not required to give make up examinations or accept class work missed as a result of an unexcused absence.

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.

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Lynn Berard      August 2008