Weekends:  Feb. 11/12,  March 17/18,  April 14/15 ;   Friday's  6p.m.-10p.m.; Saturday's  8a.m. - 6p.m..

Course Description:
Philosophy and techniques of information services in libraries, with the sources, tools and technology essential to the reference process.  Specific reference problems and research studies, the reference interview, and search strategies are considered.
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Contact Info:

Instructors:  G. Lynn Berard and Matthew R. Marsteller

G. Lynn Berard:

Matthew R. Marsteller: WEEKEND ONE:   Friday, Feb. 11

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

Readings:   Chapters 3, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20.


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.

Readings:  Chapters 2, 4, 5, 6,  18, and 21.


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.

Readings:  Chapters 11 and 12
 

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

Course Assignments:

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
Pathfinder examples
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.
 

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.

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.


January 12, 2000