Reference Certification Course

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Reference Certification Course

• Part 1 Introduction to Reference and General
  Print Resources
• Instructors Amy Starr Degnan and Joan E.
  Pellikka
• North Country Library System

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Topics Part 1

• Introductions
• What is Reference?
• Definition and History
• Philosophy
• The Reference Interview
• Print Resources
• Top 50 for Small Libraries
• Selection and Evaluation
• Sample Reference Works
• Practice Questions

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What is Reference?

• Definitions
• I represent reference work to be the personal
  assistance given by the librarian to individual
  readers in pursuit of information reference
  service I hold to imply further the definite
  recognition on the part of the library of its
  responsibility for such work and a specific
  organization for that purpose. In short, we are
  willing to give help, and what is more, consider
  such help an important enough part of our
  obligations to justify training and assigning
  staff especially for this work.
• Reference is essentially research support-
  helping guide researchers toward the most useful
  sources and efficient techniques for finding the
  information they need.
• A reference librarian is a link between a user in
  search of information and the printed or
  electronic source where that information is
  located.

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History

• 1875-1900, the institution of the public library
  and the profession of librarianship was born (in
  the time of Dewey and Carnegie)
• Samuel Swett Green, Worcester Public Library,
  Mass.
• Co-founded Library Journal
• His article, Personal Relations Between
  Librarians and Readers, outlined the major
  principles of reference librarianship

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Philosophy

• A librarian should be as unwilling to allow an
  inquirer to leave the library
• with his question unanswered as a shop-keeper is
  to have a customer go out of
• his store without making a purchase.
• to help those who will help themselves, to
  provide part of the means by
• which those who desire to improve may do so to
  give those who desire to rise
• the aids by which they may rise
• "The computer is only a fast idiot, it has no
  imagination it cannot originate
• action. It is, and will remain, only a tool to
  man.
• Research is not difficult, its time consuming.
• Reference is democracy at work.

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• Its library science not rocket science!

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The Reference Interview

• The Reference Interview A conversation between a
  member of the
• library reference staff and a library user for
  the purpose of clarifying
• the users needs and aiding the user in meeting
  those needs.
• Stages of the interview
• Take the lead
• Establish rapport with the user
• Narrow the topic
• Information gathering and getting the big picture
• Give options
• Intervene to give advice, choices
• Confirm
• Make sure answer provided is what was actually
  needed

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True or False?

• Because users are often pretty clear about their
  information needs, the reference interview is
  unnecessary.
• It is up to the user to know what he or she wants
  and express the need clearly. Library staff
  should take the users question at face value.
• If left to their own devices, patrons will
  usually find what they are looking for without
  any assistance from staff.
• Patrons dont expect to get answers to complex
  questions at small libraries.

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What people really want to know

• Initial question
• Do you have anything on housing?
• Where are your books on Canada?
• Where is your ancient history section?
• Do you have Animal Graveyard?

• Negotiated question
• What are the rights of a tenant in a rental
  situation?
• I need a picture of a grizzly bear for a book I
  am illustrating.
• I need to read about the causes of World War
• 1 for a school assignment.
• Do you have Stephen Kings Pet Sematary?

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• Patron I need a book about insects.
• Staff Ok, are you looking for information about
  a specific type of insect?
• Patron Yes, ladybugs and June Beetles.
• Staff Ok, what about ladybugs and June Beetles
  would you like to know?
• Patron I need to know how to get them out of my
  garden.
• Staff So you need information about garden
  pests and how to get rid of them.
• Patron Yes, exactly.

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Patron I need a book about Mexico. Staff
Sure, are you looking for travel, history, or
something else about Mexico? Patron UmmI dont
know what to call it...I need pictures of people.
Staff You need pictures of Mexican
people? Patron Yes. Staff What information do
you need to get from the pictures? Patron I
have to make a costume. Staff Then you need
information about Mexican culture and
dress. Patron Yes!
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Top Reference Books for Small Public Libraries

• Small / rural public library is defined as
  serving a population of 10,000 or under by ALA
  (all but 7 of NCLS members)
• Every year, RUSA / ALA puts out a list of top
  reference sources for small and medium-sized
  libraries (of all types)
• See Top 50 Reference Books for Small Public
  Libraries handout
• Aim for a balanced collection and avoid
  duplication

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Selection and Evaluation of Print Resources

• Currency
• Is the information relevant today?
• Cost
• Is it worth it?
• Are there free alternatives (print or online)?
• Capacity
• Do we have space for it?
• Is the work comprehensive?
• Criticism
• Is the source authoritative, objective,
  well-reviewed?

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Bare minimum reference collection

• For even the smallest library
• World almanac
• Set of encyclopedias
• Atlas
• Dictionary
• Local phone books and directories
• ? What else ?

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Local and government information

• Local phone books and directories
• Chamber of Commerce Directory
• Local government manuals
• Local colleges
• Public Codes / Laws
• Services Directory
• Other local libraries

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Random House Websters Unabridged Dictionary

• What does a dictionary tell you about a word?
• Definition
• Usage
• Etymology
• Pronunciation
• Variants
• Update every 2-3 years
• Why?
• What is the definition and correct spelling
  of___________?

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The World Almanac and Book of Facts

• Update every year
• Contents
• Special Features
• Year In Review
• Economy, Business, Energy
• Crime
• Military Affairs
• Health and Vital Statistics
• Personalities, Arts, Media
• Science Technology
• Consumer Information
• U.S. Government
• U.S. Facts, History, Elections

• U.S. Cities, States, Population
• World History Culture
• Sports
• General Index
• What are the odds of getting a full house in
  poker?

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Dorlands Illustrated Medical Dictionary

• Update every 2-3 years
• Dictionary vs. encyclopedia
• American Medical Association Complete Medical
  Encyclopedia
• Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (access through
• Health Reference Center Academic)
• What is a ganglion cyst?
• What does an anesthesiologist do?

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Consumer Reports Buying Guide

• Update every year
• About Consumer Reports
• Specializes in head-to-head, brand-name
  comparisons of autos and household products since
  1936
• Buys all the products it tests and accepts no
  free samples
• Published by Consumers Union, an independent,
  non-profit testing and information organization
• Supplement to Consumer Reports serial
  subscription
• What is the best MP3 player for my money?

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United States Government Manual

• Also available online! www.gpoaccess.gov/gmanual
• Official handbook of the Federal Government
  providing comprehensive information on the
  agencies of the legislative, judicial, and
  executive branches.
• Typical agency description
• List of principal officials
• Summary statement of the agencys purpose
• Role in Federal Government
• History and authority
• Sources of information
• What is the function of the US Department of
  State?

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Statistical Abstract of the United States

• The standard summary of statistics in the social,
  political, and economic organization of the
  United States
• Published since 1878 by the US Department of
  Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration
  and the US Census Bureau
• Consists primarily of tables and charts
• Indexed by table number (as opposed to page
  number)
• How many children in the US are living with or
  being raised by their grandparents?
• How much corn does the average American consume
  in a year?

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Kovels Antiques and Collectibles Price List

• Update when new edition is published
• Now in its 40th edition by original authors Ralph
  and Teri Kovel
• A book for collectors that covers a wide variety
  of collectibles and their estimated values
• I would like to know the value of some Coca-Cola
  memorabilia that I have collected over the years.

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101 Law Forms for Everyday Use

• Update when new edition is published
• NOLO mission statement make the law as simple as
  possible, saving you time, money and headaches
• NOLO publishes numerous books regarding legal
  issues aimed at the general public
• I need to create a lease for an apartment I am
  preparing to rent out. Do you have an example?
  I am also interested in reading any legal
  information on the subject.

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Great American History Fact-Finder

• Update when new edition is published
• Covers a wide spectrum of American history and
  culture, including political events, military
  history, sports, arts, entertainment, landmark
  legislation, and business
• 2,200 entries arranged alphabetically
• Who ran on the campaign slogan, Dont swap
  horses in midstream?
• Where did the westbound and eastbound tracks of
  the transcontinental railroad meet?

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Right, Wrong, and Risky A Dictionary of Todays
American English Usage

• One of the 2007 RUSA top picks
• A dictionary that "views the real world of
  today's American English, identifying usage
  questions that are debatable, citing conflicting
  answers, and offering risk-free solutions for
  each conflict." -Booklist
• Is it spelled judgement or judgment?
• Where did the term ground zero come from?

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Last but not least

• NEVER let a patron walk away empty-handed
• (or minded)!
• Now for the fun part
• QUIZ!