LIS 205: Introduction to Information Sources & Services

Unit 1: Part 1—Defining Reference

Kevin Rioux, PhD

Division of Library and Information Science

Question:

• So….what does “reference” mean?

Concepts associated with “reference”:

• Authority

– Relationship to Web sources?

• “User-friendliness” and barriers to it

• Mediation

• Others?

Some history:

• Before the late 19th Century—”You’re on your own.”• Samuel Green: “Personal Relations Between Librarians and Readers”,

1876– Three basic reference functions:

• Information• Guidance• Instruction

• 1887—first library school at Columbia• Emergence of a service ethic in early 20th Century

– Early management theories• Development of special libraries

– Service followed development of communication technologies

How our field talks to itself about reference:

• Scholarly works in print and online journals

• Best Practices articles in print and online journals

• Online sites (especially http://www.ala/org/rusa)

• Listservs (e.g., LIBREF-L)

Services related to the Information approach to reference

• Characteristics

– Typically focused on efforts to address a specific information need

• Ready reference questions

• Verifying bibliographic records

• Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

• Document Delivery

• Information Services (especially regarding public services)

• Referral Services

• Research Assistance

• Fee-based Services

• Information Brokering

Services related to the Guidance approach to reference

• Characteristics:

– Typically associated with users who have a continuing information need

– May be a single encounter with user, or may develop into a long-term working relationship

• Readers’ Advisory

• Bibliotherapy

• Term-paper counseling

• SDI

– Traditional approach to SDI

– profiling

Services related to the Instruction approach to reference

• Characteristics

– Complements information approaches

– Working with users who need or want to learn how to use resources on their own

– Often formal instruction programs support academic institutions’ curricular activities

• Both high and low levels of specificity

– General orientations

– In-depth workshops or classes

• One-on-one instruction

• Group instruction

Trends

• Cooperative reference services

• E-reference

• Reliance on both print and electronic resources—maintaining skills in both of these information environments.

• Acknowledgement of stressors that exist in the otherwise gratifying reference position

• Tiered reference departments: “information desk” vs. “reference desk” vs. “liaison services”

• Acknowledgement of the importance of understanding users’ information needs and information behavior

Unit 1: Part 2—Selecting and Evaluating Reference Sources

Some concepts associated with “reference source”

• Arrangement and treatment allows easy access to specific pieces of information

• Not meant to be read in sequence• Typically contains a very thorough index• Traditionally in book format--changing rapidly• Authoritative• Roughly two types of reference source:

– Compilations of information (atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, yearbooks, biography sources, etc.)

– Compilations of references to other sources (catalogs, indexes, bibliographies, etc.)

Some concepts associated with “reference collection”

• Now recognized as being a collection containing sources of many different formats

• May or may not be purchased by the library

– This is a continuous and active decision making process

– A large part of the job is to monitor new online sources that may be useful

• Are often WebPages maintained by librarians (e.g., Virtual Reference Shelf)

• Hybrid solutions that combine print and online sources to address information needs

IMPORTANT to have a written collection development policy!

• Forces you to:

– Identify the reference dept.’s objectives and priorities

– Define the content and scope of the collection

– Determine who does what

– Define selection criteria

– Develop policy

– Determine funding

– Determine outside relationships

• Collection development policies are living documents that are continuously updated

Evaluation of reference sources

• “Evaluation” --Necessary element of collection development

• Typically an issue

– when acquiring new sources (purchased, free, or via sharing agreement)

– When deciding to weed materials

The “Virtual Reference Shelf”

• Lots of relatively high-quality, free sources on the Web

• Some free online sources may supplant traditional printed sources. Examples:

– Books in Print vs. Amazon.com -- both have reliable basic bibliographic information

– Organizational websites vs. Encyclopedia of Associations

– Websites constructed by other librarians

• Internet Public Library Ready Reference collection

Evaluation criterion: Format

• Print materials– Quality of the actual construction of the item– Quality of illustrations and strong relationship to text– Pros: easy to use and predictable cost– Cons: take up room, may not be the most current info available

• Microformats– Pros: Save space, good for preserving content– Cons: not so easy to access, expensive viewing equipment

• CD-ROMS– Pros: store large amounts of information, can include images and sound– Cons: expensive viewing equipment--may be surpassed by Web in currency

• Web/Online Databases– Pros: currency– Cons: harder to use, unpredictable costs

Evaluation criterion: Scope

• Examine the item in light of statements of purpose

– Has the author accomplished what s/he set out to do as described by the statement of purpose?

– Subject, geographical, linguistic, time, currency, are some of the variables to examine

Evaluation criterion: Relation to Similar Works

• Is it unique?

• Is it written for a different audience?

• Is is a spinoff? If so, is it appropriate?

• Does it expand your collection enough to make it worth purchasing?

Evaluation criterion: Authority

• Do the authors have the experience of education to be writing such an item?

• What organizations are they affiliated with?

• What is the reputation of the publisher?

Evaluation criterion: Treatment

• Is the presentation of the material of high quality?

• Are any of the topics covered overly-politicized or glossed-over?

• What audience is the material geared toward?

Evaluation criterion: Arrangement

• Alphabetical

• Indexes

• Cross-references

• Search capabilities

Evaluation criterion: Special Features

• Useful search tools?

• Documentation and training materials?

• Customer service?

• Any other bells and whistles?

• Are you getting a good deal?

Evaluation criterion: Cost

• Extremely variable, depending on:

– Vendor

– Package deals

– Size of your service population

– Number of concurrent users

– Remote of local access

– Per-use schedule or unlimited use

• Need to determine if the cost is justified by the need

Selection Aids

• Reference material reviews in periodicals:– Reference Books Bulletin (part of Booklist)– Various Library Journal columns– Choice– Reference and User Services Quarterly– American Reference Books Annual– College & Research Libraries

• Formal Guides– ALA’s Guide to Reference Books– Walford’s Guide to Reference Books (British)– Sweetland’s Fundamental Reference Sources– Other specialized guides for schools, sciences, and other areas

Physical Arrangement of the Reference Collection

• Ready reference collection

• Grouping types of sources

• However the collection is arranged, printed guides should be provided for users

Weeding the reference collection

• Systematic weeding process should be included in the collection development policy

• Consider:

– Timeliness

– Physical condition

– How the resources is best accessed (i.e., format)

– Old material may be useful for historical research

Unit 1: Part 3--Dictionaries

Origins of the dictionary

• Earliest dictionary concept: “Glosses” that were used to translate Latin texts into vernacular language

• Early dictionaries were arranged according to subject rather than alphabetically--due to philosophical ideas about the nature of “knowledge”.

Contemporary use of dictionaries

• Define words, check spelling, pronunciation, usage, etymology, syllabication, part of speech.

• Sometimes indicate antonyms, synonyms, examples of usage• May include illustrations• Political: dictionaries have some influence on the standardization of language• Descriptive vs. prescriptive approaches to compiling dictionaries• Types:

– Unabridged -- all words in current usage– Abridged– Etymological– Slang– Dual-language– Dialect– Usage

Evaluation of dictionaries: Format

• Print: from the largest unabridged to the tiniest pocket dictionary, one should consider:– Users that will consult the dictionary– Convenience vs. comprehensiveness– Cost– Currency

• Web-based dictionaries– Extremely convenient– Look for quality indicators: publisher/compiler, recent date, ease of

use, good interface, etc.– Many may be older works in the public domain, so caution is

advised.

Evaluation of dictionaries: Scope

• Scope variables:

– Etymology

– Usage

– Pronunciation guide

– Geographical and proper names

– Illustrations

– Breadth of coverage

Other dictionary evaluation/selection variables:

• Authority: is the editorial team credible?

• Accuracy: clear, unambiguous definitions that reflect current usage

• What are the needs of the users? (Dictionaries are complied for specific audiences)

• What are the current dictionary resources?

• Are specialized subject dictionaries needed?

• “Webster” is not copyrighted (!)

• Buying guide: Kister’s Best Dictionaries for Adults & Young People: A Comparative Guide

Types of dictionaries

• Unabridged--three primary ones– Webster’s 3rd New International Dictionary of the English Language (1961)

• Updated with addenda• In need of revision, but is considered autoritative

– Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (2nd ed.) (1997)• Somewhat smaller• Reflects the most modern usage--most up to date--supplements

Webster’s 3rd– Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary of the English Language (1965)

– Unabridged dictionaries are expensive, huge, and used all the time. Worth the cost.

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• Etymological Dictionaries

– Oxford English Dictionary (1989)

• Premier source for etymology

• 20 volume set, now on CD-ROM

– Other good choices:

• New Shorter Oxford Dictionary on Historical Principles

• Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• Desk Dictionaries– Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2003). Comes with a CD-ROM.

• See Amazon.com description• Good general use dictionary for adults--highly authoritative• Entirely available on the Web for free

– Other good ones:• American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

– Attractive and heavily illustrated• Webster’s New World College Dictionary

– Printed by Macmillan– Primary focuses on English as it practiced in the US

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• School dictionaries

– Simplified, easier to read definitions

– Type and illustrations are larger

– Understood by readers with limited vocabularies

– Examples:

• American Heritage Concise Dictionary

• World Book Dictionary

• Macmillan First Dictionary

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• Foreign language dictionaries:– Often have usage information– Colloquialisms– Pronunciation guides– Geographical names– Examples:

• Cassell’s series• Larousse’s series • Oxford series (esp. non-European languages)• Harper Collins• Online: www.yourdictionary.com

– Extensive links to free language dictionaries

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• Dialect dictionaries

– Cover regionalisms in usage, pronunciation and spelling

– Single words as well as phrases

– Geographical usage labels

– Example: Dictionary of American English

• 5 volumes (eventually)

• Most extensive dialect dictionary by far

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• Slang dictionaries

– Only colloquial speech

– Cover vulgar and colloquial terms not covered in standard dictionaries

– Examples:

• Dictionary of American Slang (1995)

• Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang (1994)

Types of dictionaries, cont’d

• Other types of dictionaries:– Thesauri

• Antonyms and synonyms• Roget’s is the most authoritative

– Usage dictionaries• Covers standard grammar and syntax• Points out common errors

– Word menus• e.g., Random House Word Menu• Lists related words such as all the bones in the human body

– Abbreviation and acronym dictionaries• Often specialized• e.g., Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary

– Quotation books• Bartlett’s is a classic, but there are many others• Indexed by subject, author, and date of publication

– Subject Specific Dictionaries

Unit 1: Part 4--Encyclopedias

Use of encyclopedias

• Encyclopedias provide information on a wide array of topics in an accessible format, first on a general level, and then on a specific level by referring the reader to more detailed sources of information.

• Types of information needs addressed by encyclopedias:

– Ready reference

– General information about topics

– Pre-search information

Types of encyclopedias

• Single volume encyclopedias

– Full format or desk size

– More concise than multivolume sets

• Encyclopedias for young people

– Support school curricula with pedagogical tools

– Simplified language, but good coverage

• Single subject encyclopedias

– Can augment overall collection

• Yearbooks and supplements

• Foreign and foreign-language encyclopedias

Evaluating encyclopedias for use or purchase

• Scope• Subject coverage• Audience• Breadth and depth • Pointers to other sources• Cross-references• Study guides• Uniqueness• Authority• Accuracy• Objectivity• Currency• Indexing and other access tools

Format of the encyclopedia

• Print

– Quickly accessible

– Popular

– May not be as up to date

– Expensive

– Space issues

• CD-ROM

– Inexpensive and popular

– Updated every year

• Online

– Updated frequently

– Encyclopedia Brittanica is free online

• Electronic versions have audio and video features

Reviewing tools for encyclopedias

• Kister’s Best Encyclopedias: A Comparative Guide to General and Specialized Encyclopedias

• Subject Encyclopedias

• ARBA Guide to Subject Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

• Reference Books Bulletin (Booklist)

Important general enyclopedias

• World Book Encyclopedia

• Compton’s Encyclopedia

• Encyclopaedia Brittanica

• Encyclopedia Americana

• Brittanica Online

• Encarta encyclopedia products

• Random House Encyclopedia

• Columbia Encyclopedia