Syllabus
MSLS 817 ADVANCED REFERENCE SOURCES AND SERVICES
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to expand student understanding of current issues and developments in reference resources and services in a range of in-person and digital information-providing contexts. Students will apply critical, constructive approaches to evaluation, reference interviewing, problem solving and participation in publically available services such as the Internet Public Library. Explores reference and information services in a variety of settings, introduces widely used print and online sources, and develops question negotiation skills and search strategies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the course are to prepare students to understand and do reference and information work in libraries and other information arenas. It includes: basic reference sources, both print and electronic, history, philosophy, and practice of reference services. By the end of the semester, students should be able to identify and evaluate information sources and be able to choose appropriate sources to answer reference questions; understand the process of reference including reference interviewing and search strategy; and discuss current issues in reference services including policy issues in different types of settings.
To expand student understanding of current issues and trends in reference collection development and best practices in reference service models (including instruction), within the context and discussion of professional policies, guidelines, and ethical values.
• To examine the principles of question handling to meet individual and community needs.
• To critically analyze principles and techniques of evaluation with respect to research.
• To provide the opportunity to participate and reflect on the role of digital reference services both as a user and as a provider of such services.
COURSE OUTLINE:
History of Reference
Reference collections: access, evaluation, and
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to expand student understanding of current issues and developments in reference resources and services in a range of in-person and digital information-providing contexts. Students will apply critical, constructive approaches to evaluation, reference interviewing, problem solving and participation in publically available services such as the Internet Public Library. Explores reference and information services in a variety of settings, introduces widely used print and online sources, and develops question negotiation skills and search strategies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the course are to prepare students to understand and do reference and information work in libraries and other information arenas. It includes: basic reference sources, both print and electronic, history, philosophy, and practice of reference services. By the end of the semester, students should be able to identify and evaluate information sources and be able to choose appropriate sources to answer reference questions; understand the process of reference including reference interviewing and search strategy; and discuss current issues in reference services including policy issues in different types of settings.
To expand student understanding of current issues and trends in reference collection development and best practices in reference service models (including instruction), within the context and discussion of professional policies, guidelines, and ethical values.
• To examine the principles of question handling to meet individual and community needs.
• To critically analyze principles and techniques of evaluation with respect to research.
• To provide the opportunity to participate and reflect on the role of digital reference services both as a user and as a provider of such services.
COURSE OUTLINE:
History of Reference
Reference collections: access, evaluation, and