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The Library Reference Collection: Print and Online Selection and Use

The Library Reference Collection: Print and Online Selection and Use. Kinds of Reference Materials. General reference materials : Include information on a variety of subjects Encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, yearbooks, etc. e.g. World Book Encyclopedia (print and online), Wikipedia

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The Library Reference Collection: Print and Online Selection and Use

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  1. The Library Reference Collection:Print and OnlineSelection and Use

  2. Kinds of Reference Materials • General reference materials: • Include information on a variety of subjects • Encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, yearbooks, etc. • e.g. World Book Encyclopedia (print and online), Wikipedia • Subject oriented reference materials: • Focus on a specific subject or discipline • Subject encyclopedias, subject dictionaries, atlases, handbooks, etc. • Web directories and metasites e.g. Infomine • Guides to other information sources • Facts or figures for information needs

  3. Basic Reference SourcesGeneral: broad in scope and deal with all topics.Specialized/subject: narrow, subject/topic specific. • Dictionaries • Language • Subject specific • Encyclopedias • General (World Book, Wikipedia) • Subject specific (Oxford Music Online, Encyclopedia of Psychology) • Indexes and Databases • Subject guides to books, content of books and periodical articles.Readers Guide, ProQuest • Atlases & Gazetteers(geographic info.) • Handbooks, Manuals(how-to, instructions, overviews) • Directories and Guides- lists • Biographical sources(about people) • Biography Resource Center, autobiographies • Almanacs & Yearbooks(facts, summaries, compendium)

  4. Reference Resources • Ready Reference Collections • Frequently used items may be kept at or nearby the Reference Desk • Online: bookmarks, favorites • PCC Library’s Selected Web Resources • Pasadena Public Library’s Selected Internet Sites • Scope and coverage varies among reference sources • Some reference resources may include similar information that overlaps or compliments other sources. • Currency and timeliness is important • Librarians evaluate and “select” reference titles for purchase • Patrons (users) must evaluate for relevance and appropriateness for their needs

  5. Characteristics of Reference Materials: • Designed to be consulted rather than read beginning to end • Typically only a portion (or entry) of the book is needed. • Provide facts and figures in an easy-to-find format • Provide concise information or answers to frequently asked questions • Contain summary or detailed information for particular subject areas • Serve as guides to additional information • Do not circulate; remain in the library for access to all.

  6. Direct/Indirect Sources • Direct Sources(contain the information) • Almanacs • Atlases • Biographical dictionaries • Dictionaries • Encyclopedias • Gazetteers • Guidebooks • Handbooks/Manuals • Yearbooks • Indirect Sources(identify other information sources) • Indexes (such as the Periodical Indexes we used in class) • Abstracts (summaries) • Bibliographies • Concordances • Primary or Secondary • Some reference sources are tertiary

  7. Evaluating Reference Sources • Credibility • Accuracy of Information • Authoritativeness (author, publisher, affiliation, bibliography) • Completeness – length, scope, detail • Bias • Objectivity / Balanced Opinion • Purpose (information, marketing, pursuasive) • Currency / Timeliness • Appropriateness: for user needs/ for library collection needs • Reading level; popular/scholarly • Level of detail, level of technical detail • Documentation: bibliography or notes • Illustrations (pictures, maps, chars, tables, etc.)

  8. Considerations for Choosing Reference Materials • Focus • general/subject specific, • Scope of coverage: broad overview, brief summary, narrow aspect, complete • Pro or Con? Supporting or opposing viewpoint • technical, pictorial, statistical, etc. • Time Factor: • historical or current, currency • Treatment: • popular or scholarly; childrens or adult • Format: • print or electronic, ease of access, ease of use Librarians evaluate items before they are added to the library’s collection – print and online.

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