LIS 704 03 - Dominican University

DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
LIS 704 Reference & Online Services
Fall 2011
Mary Pat Fallon, Assistant Professor
(708) 524-6602
Crown 334
mpfallon@dom.edu
Office hours: W/Th 4-5
and by appointment
Course Description:
An introduction to effective reference service in an electronic age. The course deals with the selection,
evaluation and use of general reference sources in both hard copy (print) and digital formats; nature
development, functions and management of reference and online services; the reference interview;
concepts principles and problems of online bibliographic organization and control. Prerequisite or corequisite:701
Learning Objectives
To develop an understanding of the philosophy of reference service and the dynamics of the
reference process in various environments.
To develop the expertise and judgment necessary to select materials to meet the diverse
information needs of users.
To know the function and arrangement of several types of reference works regardless of format,
through physical inspection, reading, and use.
To achieve the ability to analyze information queries and to establish logical manual and
computerized search strategies for the successful fulfillment of users’ needs.
To achieve the basic skills required for online searching using online databases and the Internet.
To develop bibliographic instruction skills.
To become aware of and develop informed opinions on issues and trends which have an impact
on libraries and information provision.
Textbook:
Reference & Information Services in the 21st Century by Kay Ann Cassell and Uma Hiremath. Neal
Schuman Publishers, 2nd edition Revised, 2011.
General Requirements: 25%
Students are expected to participate in discussions and class activities. You are expected to have read
the assigned material and come to class prepared to discuss and critique these readings.

Postings for readings (chapters and articles) must be placed on the class wiki before 4:00 pm on the
assigned date. Postings should include a reaction (not a summary) to some of the main ideas presented
in the assigned readings.
If you have questions pertaining to the readings, please post them at the end of your response. We will
use these postings for discussion purposes during class time. You are always encouraged to bring
additional literature to the attention of the class.
Students are expected to attend all classes. Habitual lateness and/or absences will affect your class
participation grade. Infrequent class participation will substantially lower your overall grade for this
course.
Service Reports: 20%
Write three reports analyzing the type of service you receive from a non-library setting, bricks and
mortar library, and electronic reference.
Each report deals with a single current incident - but should identify multiple factors contributing to an
evaluation of service as good or bad.
Refer to class readings when writing your reports.
In-class assignments: 25% Due: Throughout the semester
These exercises will take place in class. Class work cannot be made up outside of class. Assignments
include: Periodical Assessment & Review, Ready Reference, Business and Current Events, Library &
Information Science sources, Health & Psychology Sources, Facts and Stats, Boolean Searching, Review
Sources, etc.
Subject Guide: 30%
Create an online research guide that will serve the information needs of an undergraduate/ graduate
researcher.
Imagine that you are a reference librarian and a user asks for help with finding good resources in your
subject area. Referring the user to the guide that you created should answer many of the questions that
he/she might pose about a topic.
Academic Honesty:

"All students of the GSLIS are expected to observe high standards of academic honesty and integrity. Any student
whose conduct violates such standards may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by due process." (GSLIS
Bulletin)
Plagiarism is unethical and unprofessional and will result in project failure. Each student is responsible for
understanding what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
Dominican University Bulletin 2010-2012: definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and academic dishonesty p. 29
GSLIS DOMINICAN GRADING POLICY (Effective 12/15/2004)
Grade Numeric Definition
Equivalent
A 4.0 Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the
course materials and evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far
surpasses course expectations; nearly flawless work.
A- 3.67 Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of
the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all
requirements in a superior manner.
B+ 3.33 Good solid work. Student demonstrates strong comprehension of the course
materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course
syllabus.
B 3.0 Satisfactory acceptable work. Student performance meets designated course
expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials and performs at
an acceptable level.
B- 2.67 Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete, substandard
understanding of course materials, or absence of required work; indicates danger of
falling below acceptable grading standard.
C+ 2.33 Unsatisfactory work. Student performance demonstrates unsatisfactory
understanding of course materials and inability to meet course requirements.
C 2.0 Unacceptable work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete and
inadequate understanding of course materials.
C- 1.67 Poor work.
F 0.0 Failing grade.
8/30/11