Transcript What Kinds of Materials will you find in the Reference

THE LIBRARY REFERENCE COLLECTION:
PRINT AND ONLINE
1
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
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
2
BASIC REFERENCE SOURCES
GENERAL: BROAD IN SCOPE AND DEAL WITH ALL TOPICS.
SPECIALIZED/SUBJECT: NARROW, SUBJECT/TOPIC SPECIFIC.

Dictionaries

Atlases & Gazetteers

Handbooks, Manuals

Directories and Guides- lists

Biographical sources
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
(geographic info.)
(how-to, instructions, overviews)
(about people)


Biography Resource Center,
autobiographies
Almanacs & Yearbooks
(facts, summaries, compendium)
REFERENCE RESOURCES

Ready Reference Collections
Frequently used items may be kept at or nearby the
Reference Desk
◦ Online: bookmarks, favorites
◦



Scope and coverage varies among reference sources
◦



PCC Library’s Selected Web Resources
Pasadena Public Library’s Selected Internet Sites
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
4
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.
5
DIRECT/INDIRECT SOURCES
Direct
Sources
(contain the information)
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Indirect
Sources
(identify other
information sources)
Almanacs
Atlases
◦ Indexes (such as the
Periodical Indexes we
Biographical
used in class)
dictionaries
◦ Abstracts (summaries)
Dictionaries
◦ Bibliographies
Encyclopedias
◦ Concordances
Gazetteers
Guidebooks
Primary or Secondary
Handbooks/Manuals •Some reference sources
Yearbooks
are tertiary
6
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.)
◦
◦
◦
7
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:
◦

Treatment:
◦

historical or current, currency
popular or scholarly; childrens or adult
Format:
◦
print or electronic, ease of access, ease of use
Librarians evaluate items before they are added to8
the library’s collection – print and online.