LIIS 250 Reference Resources and Services*
This course is an introduction to the reference process, effective and efficient search strategies, ethical considerations, library instruction, and methods of evaluating reference services. Students will learn about major trends – emphasizing the changing nature of reference services.
General Education Competency
[GE Core type]
LIIS 250Reference Resources and Services*
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Library & Information Science
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
General Education Competency
[GE Core type]
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
This course is an introduction to the reference process, effective and efficient search strategies, ethical considerations, library instruction, and methods of evaluating reference services. Students will learn about major trends – emphasizing the changing nature of reference services.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Write a plan for reference services for a given type of library
- Interpret the information needs of a patron with a question in person, by telephone, email, and online chat
- Evaluate the quality of reference resources
- Select appropriate information resources for a given type of library
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Definition of Reference / Basic Resources
Reference Interview: Setting the Stage / Evaluation of Reference Sources
Email Reference / Search Engines / RIP #2
The "Real" Question / Dictionary Comparison / RIP #3
Negotiating the Question / Encyclopedia Comparison / RIP #4
Beyond Negative Closure / Online Periodical Index Comparison / RIP #5
Closure / RIP #6
Reference Policy Planning / Almanac Comparison
Reference Ethics / RIP #7
Special Contexts (Age, Ethnicity, etc.) / RIP #8
Special Contexts, cont. / RIP #9
Virtual Reference / Resource Sharing / RIP #10
Future Trends & Staying Informed
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Weekly textbook readings and exercises
Students pair up for 10 reference interview practice sessions by phone, email, and chat
Weekly discussion board topics
Required Exams
Self-evaluation of the reference interview practices on the Discussion Board
Midterm exam
Final Exam
Required Text
Conducting the Reference Interview, 2nd ed. Catherine Sheldrick Ross, Kirsti Nilsen, and Marie L. Radford. Neal-Schuman, 2009. ISBN 9781555706555
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Weekly textbook readings and exercises
Students pair up for 10 reference interview practice sessions by phone, email, and chat
Weekly discussion board topics
Self-evaluation of the reference interview practices on the Discussion Board
Midterm exam
Final Exam