Graded Discussion Questions
Week 1
_
Discuss the highlights of the development of reference work
in libraries.
Libraries began simply as depositories for information. As collections grew, it became necessary for librarians to organize them so that they could find the material that they wanted. Until the 19th century, librarians did not assist patrons with their research. In the late 1800s an article was published by Samuel S. Green from the Worcester Public Library (Reference Services 867). He suggested the idea of librarians who would help patrons. The focus shifted to customer service. These librarians became known as reference librarians. Originally, librarians were supposed to raise patrons moral standards, but this is no longer the case. Librarians are expected to keep the questions asked by patrons and the materials used confidential. Today reference librarians respond to questions about facts as well as more difficult research questions. They also help patrons with bibliographic questions.
Reference Services and Information Access. Encyclopedia of Communication and Information. 867-874.
Discuss some of the reasons for the introduction of separate reference reading rooms in libraries.
Separate reference reading rooms were introduced in libraries so that frequently used materials were easy to find and placed in one location. The reference materials were not permitted to circulate so that they would always be available for people who needed them in the library. Having a separate reference reading room could also make it easier for patrons to find a reference librarian if their desk or work space is located there.
Libraries began simply as depositories for information. As collections grew, it became necessary for librarians to organize them so that they could find the material that they wanted. Until the 19th century, librarians did not assist patrons with their research. In the late 1800s an article was published by Samuel S. Green from the Worcester Public Library (Reference Services 867). He suggested the idea of librarians who would help patrons. The focus shifted to customer service. These librarians became known as reference librarians. Originally, librarians were supposed to raise patrons moral standards, but this is no longer the case. Librarians are expected to keep the questions asked by patrons and the materials used confidential. Today reference librarians respond to questions about facts as well as more difficult research questions. They also help patrons with bibliographic questions.
Reference Services and Information Access. Encyclopedia of Communication and Information. 867-874.
Discuss some of the reasons for the introduction of separate reference reading rooms in libraries.
Separate reference reading rooms were introduced in libraries so that frequently used materials were easy to find and placed in one location. The reference materials were not permitted to circulate so that they would always be available for people who needed them in the library. Having a separate reference reading room could also make it easier for patrons to find a reference librarian if their desk or work space is located there.
Week 2
_Discuss the importance of
having RUSA guidelines for good reference behaviors.
Having RUSA guidelines for good reference behaviors ensures that reference librarians at different libraries are working towards the same outcome. It creates a level of standardization among libraries. That means that a patron can go into any library and expect the reference librarian to be performing the same process in the reference interview and using the same techniques to learn from a patron what information they need. That could help the patron to feel more comfortable in visiting the library.
Also, RUSA guidelines are important to support quality work. If people or libraries are tempted to cut back on the quality of their reference service, they have guidelines from a national organization to support their quality work.
Having RUSA guidelines for good reference behaviors ensures that reference librarians at different libraries are working towards the same outcome. It creates a level of standardization among libraries. That means that a patron can go into any library and expect the reference librarian to be performing the same process in the reference interview and using the same techniques to learn from a patron what information they need. That could help the patron to feel more comfortable in visiting the library.
Also, RUSA guidelines are important to support quality work. If people or libraries are tempted to cut back on the quality of their reference service, they have guidelines from a national organization to support their quality work.
Week 6
_
Is ready reference defined by the question or by the answer
source?
Ready reference is defined by the question. A ready reference question will be a question that requires a specific answer. It does not require combination and synthesis of information from multiple sources. Once the librarian has identified a question as ready reference, then she can choose a source to answer the question.
Is ready reference simple reference?
Ready reference is simple in that it does not involve the use of multiple sources and extensive research to synthesize one answer. However, ready reference is not really simple. It requires the librarian to have a knowledge of reference sources so that she can choose the appropriate source to answer the question.
Ready reference is defined by the question. A ready reference question will be a question that requires a specific answer. It does not require combination and synthesis of information from multiple sources. Once the librarian has identified a question as ready reference, then she can choose a source to answer the question.
Is ready reference simple reference?
Ready reference is simple in that it does not involve the use of multiple sources and extensive research to synthesize one answer. However, ready reference is not really simple. It requires the librarian to have a knowledge of reference sources so that she can choose the appropriate source to answer the question.
Week 7
__
Discuss the pros and cons
of print vs. online geographic sources.
Advantages of print geographic sources
* portability
* do not require an expensive device to read them
* do not require electricity to display
Disadvantage of print geographic sources
*weight and size, atlases can be very large and heavy
Advantages of online geographic sources
* interactive tools for example: programs can use them to generate directions
* users can carry a large number of maps with them loaded on a small device
* can be updated quickly
* scale can be changed with the click of a button
Disadvantages of online geographic sources
* require electricity to run
* require equipment such as a cellphone, tablet, or computer to display
Advantages of print geographic sources
* portability
* do not require an expensive device to read them
* do not require electricity to display
Disadvantage of print geographic sources
*weight and size, atlases can be very large and heavy
Advantages of online geographic sources
* interactive tools for example: programs can use them to generate directions
* users can carry a large number of maps with them loaded on a small device
* can be updated quickly
* scale can be changed with the click of a button
Disadvantages of online geographic sources
* require electricity to run
* require equipment such as a cellphone, tablet, or computer to display
Week 9
_
If you use Internet sources, what are some criteria you
would use to evaluate them?
You want to make sure that the sources are credible. To determine if a site is credible you should look at the address. Ideally, you would want to get information from a college or educational site (.edu or.ac) or a reputable non-profit site (.org). Also, you want to check to see if the page lists the name of its author. The date that the site was last updated is also important.
Since you are doing research with biographic sites you might not be using scholarly or academic sites if the person you are researching is a celebrity or a recent newsmaker. For those types of searches you can use reputable sites, such as the sites from respected and well-known newspapers or magazines. The date that the site was updated is important to look at since information on people who are still living can change rapidly.
By checking information on more than one website, you can help to make sure that you are obtaining accurate information.
Discuss the characteristics of a reliable biographical source.
A reliable biographic source should be updated on a regular basis if it contains information on people who are still living. Sources that cover only historical figures do not need to be updated as often (Puacz, 2011, p.475).
Many reliable biographical sources for living people obtain their information directly from the person who is described. This helps to ensure that the information is accurate, but can cause the information to be more “flattering” than a source that is researched through other methods. (Puacz, 2011, p. 476).
A reliable biographical source should come from a well-known publisher or website. Puacz writes that “A clearly worded and well-defined statement of scope will help to lend legitimacy to the source and its entries” (2011, p. 476). The source should list its selection criteria. If a source excludes many people who meet its criteria or allows people to be listed who do not meet the criteria, then it might not be a reliable source. (Puacz, 2011, p. 476). If a biographical source requires that people buy it to be listed then it should not be considered reliable (Puacz, 2011, p. 477).
Puacz, J. H. (2011). Biographical sources. In R. E. Bopp & L. C. Smith (Eds.), Reference and information services: An introduction (pp. 471-499). (4th ed.).Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Delicious Assignment 2 Blog Posting
www.delicious.com/rkolettel
General Biographical
http://www.egs.edu/library/
Subject Biography
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/authors.asp
http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm
http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/biographies.cfm
Directory
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_of/index.html
http://www.aam-us.org/aboutmuseums/directory.cfm
http://www.afusa.org/neighborspage.php
You want to make sure that the sources are credible. To determine if a site is credible you should look at the address. Ideally, you would want to get information from a college or educational site (.edu or.ac) or a reputable non-profit site (.org). Also, you want to check to see if the page lists the name of its author. The date that the site was last updated is also important.
Since you are doing research with biographic sites you might not be using scholarly or academic sites if the person you are researching is a celebrity or a recent newsmaker. For those types of searches you can use reputable sites, such as the sites from respected and well-known newspapers or magazines. The date that the site was updated is important to look at since information on people who are still living can change rapidly.
By checking information on more than one website, you can help to make sure that you are obtaining accurate information.
Discuss the characteristics of a reliable biographical source.
A reliable biographic source should be updated on a regular basis if it contains information on people who are still living. Sources that cover only historical figures do not need to be updated as often (Puacz, 2011, p.475).
Many reliable biographical sources for living people obtain their information directly from the person who is described. This helps to ensure that the information is accurate, but can cause the information to be more “flattering” than a source that is researched through other methods. (Puacz, 2011, p. 476).
A reliable biographical source should come from a well-known publisher or website. Puacz writes that “A clearly worded and well-defined statement of scope will help to lend legitimacy to the source and its entries” (2011, p. 476). The source should list its selection criteria. If a source excludes many people who meet its criteria or allows people to be listed who do not meet the criteria, then it might not be a reliable source. (Puacz, 2011, p. 476). If a biographical source requires that people buy it to be listed then it should not be considered reliable (Puacz, 2011, p. 477).
Puacz, J. H. (2011). Biographical sources. In R. E. Bopp & L. C. Smith (Eds.), Reference and information services: An introduction (pp. 471-499). (4th ed.).Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Delicious Assignment 2 Blog Posting
www.delicious.com/rkolettel
General Biographical
http://www.egs.edu/library/
Subject Biography
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/authors.asp
http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm
http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/biographies.cfm
Directory
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_of/index.html
http://www.aam-us.org/aboutmuseums/directory.cfm
http://www.afusa.org/neighborspage.php
Week 10
_
What information should a good geographic source such as an
atlas or gazetteer provide?
Above all, an atlas or gazetteer must provide exact locations. What places locations are given for would depend on the them of the atlas or gazetteer. For example, a local map could give the location of a town's high school. This would be represented by a symbol and its location in relation to other landmarks would be shown. A gazetteer covering Connecticut might give the coordinates of Hartford and other important cities.
What are the qualities to look for in a good map?
Maps need to be easy to read. The labeling should be printed in a large enough and dark enough font so that it can be read. The key or legend should clearly identify what the colors and symbols used in the map represent.
The map should also take norms for map making into account. For example water is typically displayed in blue and forests are usually green (Cobb, 2011, p. 560).
The map should also include information about the scale that it is presented in.
Cobb, D. A. (2011) Chapter 19: Geographical sources. In R. E. Bopp & L. C. Smith (Eds.), Reference and information services: An introduction (pp. 555-577). (4th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Above all, an atlas or gazetteer must provide exact locations. What places locations are given for would depend on the them of the atlas or gazetteer. For example, a local map could give the location of a town's high school. This would be represented by a symbol and its location in relation to other landmarks would be shown. A gazetteer covering Connecticut might give the coordinates of Hartford and other important cities.
What are the qualities to look for in a good map?
Maps need to be easy to read. The labeling should be printed in a large enough and dark enough font so that it can be read. The key or legend should clearly identify what the colors and symbols used in the map represent.
The map should also take norms for map making into account. For example water is typically displayed in blue and forests are usually green (Cobb, 2011, p. 560).
The map should also include information about the scale that it is presented in.
Cobb, D. A. (2011) Chapter 19: Geographical sources. In R. E. Bopp & L. C. Smith (Eds.), Reference and information services: An introduction (pp. 555-577). (4th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
_Course Webpage
Rosanna M. Longenbaker
ILS 504 Reference and Information Resources and Services
Fall 2011
Dr. Elsie Okobi
November 27, 2011
Updated August 20, 2013
RosannaMLongenbaker"at"gmail.com
Rosanna M. Longenbaker
ILS 504 Reference and Information Resources and Services
Fall 2011
Dr. Elsie Okobi
November 27, 2011
Updated August 20, 2013
RosannaMLongenbaker"at"gmail.com