Information Resources and Services/Reference

Library Technology 120

Fall 2007

Instructor:                  Judy J. Cater, Professor/Acquisitions Librarian

                                    760-744-1150 x 2618

                                    jcater@palomar.edu

Required Text:          Reference and Information Services for the 21^st Century

by Kay Ann Cassell and Una Hiremath, 2006

1-55570-563-4

Course Description:  This course is an examination of library reference services.  It will prepare you to conduct a reference transaction incorporating the following essential components:

·         Conduct an effective reference interview

·         Locate, evaluate, and use a wide range of print and online reference resources

·         Use referral techniques when appropriate

Course Policies:        

Attendance: Materials presented and discussions in each class meeting are essential to the completion of the course.  Missed classes will result in loss of points on the Attendance/Class Participation component of your grade.  Any student having two unexcused absences during the semester will be dropped from the course.

Withdrawal:    September 18, 2007 is the last day to drop class with no transcript notation.

October 13, 2007, is the last day to drop class with W

Computer Use:  Written Projects and assignments must be completed using a word processing program.  Internet access and an email address are required components of the class.

Grading System & Policies:    All assignments must be completed on time to receive full credit.  Late assignments turned in by the beginning of the class meeting immediately following the due date will be eligible for no more than 50% of the possible grade points.  No late assignments will be accepted after that time. There are no “make-up” dates for Midterm exams, Final exams, or the Practicum.  Cheating, plagiarism and disruptive classroom behavior (including computer use when not appropriate) are grounds for expulsion from the class or a failing grade.  Cell phones and pagers must be turned off or set to “vibrate” during classroom or library sessions.

Grades will be determined according to the following distribution of points:         

The total number of points possible for the course is 1000.  The grading scale will be:

A         900-1000 points                      B         800-899  points           C         700-799  points

D         600-699   points                      F          0-599  points  

Students needing assistance are encouraged to use the Tutoring Center in the Library.

Information Resources and Services/Reference

Library Technology 120

Fall 2007

Class Schedule

Aug. 21:          Course Introduction and discussion of assignments

                        Class expectations & mutual responsibilities

                        Types of Questions, Reference Referral, Philosophy of Reference Services

For next class:

Readings:        Cassell & Hiremath (C&H)  Chapter 1, 2, 3

Assignment:    Establish email account, if you don’t already have one. 

            Confirmation email due.  (20 points)

Aug. 28:          Classification Systems, Library Catalogs & Bibliographic Records

                        Defining & Evaluating Reference Sources

                        Palomar College Library Tour

For next class:

Readings:        C&H   Chapter 5, 7

Sept. 4:           Guest speaker: Mary Russell Palomar College Library Media Technician II

Indexes and Periodicals

                        Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

For next class:

Readings:         C&H Chapter 6, 10   

Assignment:     Index, Encyclopedia & Dictionary Exercise (20 points)

                         Pathfinder topic due next week                             

Sept. 11:         Almanacs, Yearbooks, & Current Event Sources

                        Handbooks & Manuals

                        Atlases and Gazetteers

                        Pathfinder topic due this week

For next class:

Readings:        C&H Chapter 4

Sept. 18:          Directories

Bibliographies

                        Challenging patrons

For next class:

Readings:        C&H Chapter 13

Sept. 25:         Electronic Sources and the Internet

For next class:

Readings:       

Assignment      Job Shadowing Report due next week

Oct. 2:              Statistical Sources

                         Guest speaker: Anna Woodcock

                         Job Shadowing report due

For next class:

Assignment:    

Oct. 9:             Reference Interview

                        Discussion of Job Shadowing Project

                        Review for Midterm Exam

For next class:

Assignment:     Review for Midterm Exam    

Oct. 16:           Midterm Exam

For next class:

Readings:         C&H Chapter 12

Oct. 23:           Government Information

For next class:

Assignment:      C&H Chapter 9

                         Pathfinder Project due next week

Oct. 30:           Pathfinder Project due

Discussion of Pathfinder Projects

                        Medical Information

For next class:

Readings:        C&H Chapter 11

Assignment:     Medical Information Assignment (20 points)

Nov. 6:            Biographical Information

                         Disability awareness film

Nov. 13:          Guest speaker: Ron Haines- Disability Resource Center

For next class:

Assignment:      Written assignment (20 points)

Nov. 20:          Literary Information

For next class:

Reading:          Review C&H Chapter 9  pages 164-168

Nov. 27:          Legal Information

Guest speakers: Cheryl Weeks-Frye & Debra Morse -San Diego County Public Law Library

For next class:

Assignment:    Review for Practicum

Dec. 4:            Practicum and Review for Final Exam

                        Distribution of Take Home Final Exam

                        (Extra credit opportunity to be announced)

Dec. 10:          Take Home Final Exam due

                        (May be turned in electronically or in paper copy)