INLS-111-02: INFORMATION RESOURCES & SERVICES I

Fall 2001 Course Description

[Course Description] [Course Outline] [Reference Sources] [Assignments & Projects]

Last updated: 8-20-01

Instructor: Helen R. Tibbo

Office Hours: T. 3:30-5:00; Th. 8:30-9:30; & by appt.
Office: 201 Manning Hall

Class: T/Th 11:00-12:15
Tel.: (919) 962-8063

Lab: T. 8:00-9:15
E-mail: tibbo@ils.unc.edu  

Introduction Course Objectives
Oral & Written Assignments Course Load and Work Load
Basis for Grading The Honor Code
Reading List Overview of Topics

INTRODUCTION

This course will focus upon various information and reference systems, services, and tools provided in libraries and information centers. We will examine a variety of current formats for reference, including print, CD-ROM, and online. In general, the course is divided into the following areas of concentration: overview of the reference function and the role of libraries; the history and future of reference service; database and file structure; major categories of information and referral tools (structure, access, and evaluation), including bibliographies and catalogs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, ready-reference tools, and geographical materials; reference collection development and evaluation; question negotiation; search strategy; and pathfinder development. The lab segment of the course will be devoted to learning the fundamentals of electronic database searching across a number of formats and presentation options. INLS 111 is primarily an introduction to information retrieval strategies and "ready-reference" type materials. INLS 211, Information Retrieval Search Strategies, continues the study of various types of information resources, focusing primarily on indexes and abstracts and web resources. INLS 211 emphasizes strategic approaches to electronic data retrieval and evaluation of electronic databases.

Back to the Top

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
  1. Understand the reference and referral function in libraries and other information agencies.

  2. Recognize the intrinsic nature of reference materials.

  3. Know the functions and arrangements of several major types of reference works through reading and physical inspection.

  4. Recognize which types of sources to consult for specific types of questions and how to access them.

  5. Understand the basic steps of the reference process, especially question negotiation and search strategy development.

  6. Be familiar with a variety of modes of providing information including electronic systems.

  7. Have developed standards of judgment for evaluating and selecting reference materials to support a user-oriented service.

  8. Have mastered the basics of electronic database searching.

  9. Be familiar with WWW applications for reference work.

  10. Be familiar with the construction and uses of pathfinders.

The objectives of the course will be achieved through lectures and presentations, assigned readings, examination of key information tools and sources, use of search questions as paradigms of strategy for skill acquisition, evaluations and comparisons of key reference tools, in-class discussion, a term project (pathfinder), library visits, and laboratory sessions involving electronic database and web searching.

Back to the Top

ORAL AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Seven print/electronic-sources exercises : Abstracts & Indexes, Biographical sources, Dictionaries, Directories, Encyclopedias, Geographical sources, and Ready reference sources.

    Working in pairs, students will pass in the complete set of reference question exercises: dictionary, encyclopedia, abstracts and indexes, almanacs, biographical sources, directories, and geographic sources exercises. We will discuss these questions and selected sources in class. While students may work independently it is highly recommended that you find a partner for these exercises. This will cut your workload and provide valuable discussion as you work through the exercises. Teams of two are self-selecting. For each assignment please indicate the names of both contributors but only pass in one set of answers.

  2. Weekly lab exercises

    Throughout the semester, you will be introduced to a wide variety of CD-ROM and online databases and information systems. You will also explore the nature of OPACs and the Internet. You will not be passing in any work from the labs, but we will discuss it in class. Grading will be P/L/F based on your attendance and participation. The skills learned here will be a prerequisite for INLS 211.

  3. A reference interview assignment

    Each student will visit an area library (not Davis), ask for materials concerning his/her pathfinder, and observe/record the results an evaluation form.

  4. A source presentation

    Students will work in small groups and present selected reference sources of a particular genre to the class with the goal of teaching the class how to select, evaluate, and use them.

  5. A reference collection development exercise

    The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your ability to evaluate and select the best reference sources from a pool of items. This assignment may be done by a team of two students or by an individual. Teams are self-selected.

  6. Term project: pathfinder

    For the term project, you will create a web-based pathfinder on a topic of your choice. See specific assignment sheets for details. Each student is to work on his or her own.

  7. Readings & class participation.

    Reading assignments and exercises are due on the dates listed in the syllabus. Completing them by the dates indicated should enhance your understanding of the lecture topics and allow you to participate more fully in class discussions. It will also enable you to ask pertinent questions that day. I will give you specific questions to focus your readings for most classes. Keep these in mind as you complete the readings. We will use them as the basis for discussion the day the readings are due. Make sure you read the Bopp and Smith assignments before tackling your reference sets. The readings listed for each topic are required. Your ability to discuss the readings will be considered as the major element in your class participation grade.

 

General Notes

Please note that any reference course demands a heavy commitment of your time. Much of this time will he spent in campus libraries. As you become familiar with more sources and the search process, the exercises and the pathfinder should become easier. While theoretical considerations are important to the reference function and will be extensively covered in your readings and class discussions, no substitution exists for actually working with specific reference sources.

Please do not ask reference librarians to do your work for you. While such assistance may shorten assignment time and may be appropriate as a "last resort," it will not help you increase your understanding of sources nor of the search process as more diligent effort will. If, however, you cannot find something on the shelf where it is supposed to be, do not hesitate to ask someone where it is.

Finally, please put items back (in the correct place) when you have finished using them. It is simply not fair to your classmates and other library users if you hide or misshelve items that they will need. Also, do not tie up sources longer than necessary when others are waiting. If items are placed on reserve for this class DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE LIBRARY. UNC-CH libraries only have one copy of many of the tools we will use this semester, please use them and return them as quickly as possible as a courtesy to your classmates. I know you will be sharing these tools with many others but I have no control over class size. Show the same consideration to librarians and library users now that you will expect others to show when YOU are the reference librarian, and students are using YOUR reference collection!

Back to the Top

COURSE LOAD AND WORK LOAD

As noted above, any reference course requires a heavy commitment of time. Please be advised of the following guidelines for work and course load established by the graduate school and published in the Graduate School Handbook:

A student who holds a service appointment within the University or who is employed either on or off campus is advised to register on the following basis:

Back to the Top

BASIS FOR GRADING

Semester grades will be determined by the level of participation in class discussions and the quality of written assignments. The term paper for the course is a pathfinder for reference.

  • Print sources exercises 35% (5 pts. each)
  • Source presentations 10%
  • Reference interview assignment 10%
  • Collection development assignment 5%
  • Pathfinder 30% (including progress reports)
  • Class participation 10%
    •

    Grades will be assigned on an H/P/L/F basis. Under this scheme few students will obtain an "H" grade, which signifies a higher level of achievement than an "A" does in other schools' A-F grading systems. This is not to say that earning an "H" is an impossible task, but rather, that the attainment of an "H" in any SILS course denotes a significant academic achievement. Incompletes will not be assigned on an automatic basis. Rather, they will only be issued in cases of extenuating circumstances such as severe health problems late in the semester. In general, the following grading framework will apply:

    H ----> Superior work, complete command of subject, unusual depth, great creativity or originality, etc. (Attainment far beyond the call of duty).

    P+ ----> Above average performance: solid work that extends somewhat beyond what was required to complete the assignment, good command of the material, etc.

    P ----> Completely satisfactory performance: good solid coverage and work. A "P" will be given when a student completes an assignment satisfactorily and according to the instructions.

    P- ----> Marginal performance: not wholly satisfactory (on the whole good, but flawed in some respect)

    L ----> Unacceptable performance: substandard in many respects (seriously deficient)

    F ----> Performance substandard in many/all respects; completely lacking in merit (unworthy of credit)

    NOTE:  Most students will earn a "P" of some variety.

    For assignment grades:
    H = 96-100
    H- = 94-95
    P+ = 92-93 These are all A's in most schools
    P= 90-91

    P- = 80-89 This is a B in most other schools
    L = 70-79 This is a C in most other schools
    F = 69 and below This is an F in most other schools

    For semester grades:

    H = 93.5 and above (due to rounding up to 95)
    P+ = 90.5 - 93.49 (+/- will not show on your grade report)
    P = 79.5 - 90.49
    L = 69.5 - 79.49
    F = anything below 69.5

    Attendance at each class session is expected. It is unlikely that you will do well in the course if you miss many sessions. If you must miss a class, please make arrangements with one of your classmates concerning note taking. It is probably a good idea for everyone to have a "note buddy" in case of illness and/or emergencies when missing a class cannot be avoided. The instructor is not a good source of notes as his outlines may not reflect what actually goes on in class discussion. The following regulations on a student's class attendance were adopted by the Faculty Council:

    Regular class attendance is a student obligation, and a student is responsible for all the work, including texts and written work, of all class meetings. No right or privilege exists which permits a student to be absent from any given number of class meetings.... If a student misses three consecutive class meetings, or misses more classes than the instructor deems advisable, the instructor will report the facts to the student's academic dean for appropriate action...

    Back to the Top

    THE HONOR CODE

    This class strictly follows the Honor Code. Information on the Honor Code can be found at:
    http://www.unc.edu/depts/honor/honor.html.

    The following is taken from the 1997-1998 Graduate and Professional Guide to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and remains true today: "Students of the University have accepted responsibility for their conduct and discipline in academic and non-academic affairs. . . . Our Honor Code states that "It shall be the responsibility of every student ... to obey and to support the enforcement of the Honor Code, which prohibits lying, cheating, or stealing when these actions involve academic processes or University student or academic personnel acting in an official capacity." . . . Unless unusual mitigating circumstances exist, a student who is found guilty of cheating on a test or of plagiarizing a paper, for example, will be suspended. This decision reflects on the strength of the Honor Code. . . ."

    You will also be using SILS library and lab material during the course of the semester. Please remember that many of your fellow students also need to use the same material. Follow the proper checkout procedures and return materials promptly to be a good SILS citizen.

    The Zen of Reference Work: RELAX!!!! work hard, and have confidence and faith in yourself and the process. All good things take time. There's much to learn and you can not do it overnight. Have a great semester! I hope you enjoy this course and all of your courses. If you have any problems concerning the course drop by my office or give me a call and we will discuss them.

    Back to the Top

    READING LIST

    Back to the Top

    OVERVIEW OF TOPICS
    #
    Date
    Lab Topics
    Class Topics
    Due
    1 8/21 Introduction to SILS 111 labs. OPACs. Introduction to INLS 111.  
    2 8/23   Reference services: an introduction. Questionnaire.
    3 8/28 Explore CD-ROMs in Davis and other electronic offerings from Davis. Search for pathfinder topic. Pathfinders and reference resources: an introduction. Dr. Gollop to lead this class.  
    4 8/30   Tour of Davis Library's reference, electronic reference, and DRA catalog areas. Meet in Davis Reference Dept.  
    5 9/4 Lisa Stimatz to discuss user instruction at UNC-CH. Meet in classroom. User instruction. Pathfinder topic. Description of searching experience.
    6 9/6   Selection & evaluation of reference materials. Discuss searching experience. Assign collection development exercise.  
    7 9/11 Basics of electronic retrieval. Abstracts and indexes overview; database structure. Student presentation.  
    8 9/13   Bibliographic control & search strategies.  
    9 9/18 Academic Universe & InfoTrac. Review of A&I exercise. Access-related reference services. A&I exercise.
    10 9/20   Encyclopedia overview. Student presentation. Discuss collection development exercise & issues. Collection development exercise.
    11 9/25 FirstSearch (Library Lit). The reference interview.  
    12 9/27   Review of encyclopedia exercise. Directories overview. Student presentation. Encyclopedia exercise.
    13 10/2 Ebsco Host (Serials Directory), BIP, & Ulrich's. More on the reference interview. Pathfinder update.
    14 10/4   Review of directories exercise. Geographical sources overview. Student presentation. Directory exercise.
    15 10/9 World Wide Web Searching #1. Search engines and directories.  
    16 10/11   Tour of Maps Collection. Meet in Wilson Lib.  
    17 10/16 World Wide Web Searching #2. Evaluating web resources. Reference observation exercise.
    18 10/23 World Wide Web Searching #3. Review geographical sources exercise. Ready reference sources overview. Student presentation. Geographical sources exercise.
    19 10/25   The virtual reference desk. Guest speaker from Davis Library re Chat Reference and other virtual outreach.  
    20 10/30 LISA. Review ready reference exercise. Biographical sources overview. Student presentation. Ready reference exercise.
    21 11/1   Government documents. Meet in Davis Library.  
    22 11/6
    HTML workshop for pathfinder construction.
    		 Content for pathfinder.
    23 11/8   Review biographical sources exercise. Dictionaries overview. Student presentation. Biographical sources exercise.
    24 11/13
    HTML workshop for pathfinder construction.
    		  
    25 11/15   Reference panel.  
    26 11/20
    Review dictionary exercise. Introduction to DIALOG searching.
    		 Dictionary exercise.
    27 11/27
    DIALOG workshop.
    		  
    28 11/29   Tour of the Southern Historical Collection. Meet in Wilson Library 4th floor.  
    29 12/4 DIALOG searching #3. Dealing with difficult public service situations.  
    30 12/6   Evaluation of reference services. Course evaluation.  
    31 12/11 12-3 PM   Pathfinder presentations. Pathfinder presentations & Pathfinders.

    Back to the Top