libr 503:
Foundations of Information Sources and Services
(3) -- course description
[previously: LIBR 540 -
Foundations of Reference & Information Services]
PRE- or CO-REQUISITES: Pre-
or co-requisite: LIBR 500, 501
GOAL : This course focuses on the knowledge and expertise needed for the provision of basic reference and information services.
OBJECTIVES :
At the completion of this course students will have:
- An understanding of the components of the reference process, and the interpersonal and communication skills needed for effective reference assistance
- The ability to analyze reference and research enquiries in order to assess user information needs
- The ability to formulate search strategies that will efficiently identify and locate relevant information
- A familiarity with the selection, evaluation, and use of the main types/categories of information sources
- An understanding of the basic principles and practices for teaching bibliographic research skills and for providing readers’ advisory services
- A familiarity with the major trends and the professional literature in reference services
- The ability to clearly annotate selective items from the literature
CONTENT :
- The history of reference services; current trends; the changing role of the reference librarian
- The reference process: the reference interview, question analysis, formulating search strategies, access, providing instruction, evaluation
- Theories of information-seeking and communication
- Basic reference sources: the Internet; directories; bibliographic sources; almanacs; indexes; biographical sources; encyclopedias; dictionaries; geographical sources; government documents
- Providing and managing reference services; ethical issues; service to specific populations
- The reference literature of Library and Information Studies
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