(Clara L. Sitter, Mary Gosling) Learn Reference Work

L I B R A R Y E D U C A T I O N S E R I E S
Learn
REFERENCE WORK
FIRST NORTH AMERICAN EDITION
by
Clara L. Sitter
Mary Gosling
with
Colin Gray
TOTALRECALL PUBLICATIONS, INC.

TotalRecall Publications, Inc.
First North American edition DocMatrix Pty Ltd 2007

Based on previous Australasian editions DocMatrix Pty Ltd 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007. All rights reserved.
Published simultaneously by TotalRecall Publications, Inc. in the United States of America, Canada, England and other
countries around the world except the Pacific Rim.
Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical or by photocopying,
recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher.
The views expressed in this book are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of any other party or
parties.
ISBN 978- 1-59095-808-7
REPRINTED UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH PUBLISHER BY TOTALRECALL

PUBLICATIONS, Inc.
1103 Middlecreek, Friendswood, Texas, 77546
Telephone (281) 992-3131 Fax (281) 482-5390
Email sales@totalrecallpress.com
Some or all of this publication is subject to an exclusive publishing license in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea and Hong Kong. The holder of that license reserves all its rights. Importing this publication into any of those
countries may infringe those exclusive rights, placing the importer at risk of an infringement claim. Importers are
recommended to seek independent legal advice to determine if importation of publications into those countries,
including by way of international sale, infringe those rights.
Disclaimer Notice: Judgments as to the suitability of the information herein for purchaser’s purposes are necessarily the
purchaser’s responsibility. TotalRecall Publications, Inc. and DocMatrix Pty Ltd. extend no warranties, make no
representations, and assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or suitability of such information for application to the
purchaser’s intended purposes or for consequences of its use.
CONTENTS
Introduction 7
1. Reference Services 9
2. Reference Sources 23
3. Dictionaries 39
4. Encyclopedias 55
5. Fast Facts 69
6. Biographical Sources 77
7. Geographical Sources 87
8. Bibliographies and Library Catalogs 95
9. Directories 105
10. Indexes and Abstracts 113
11. Government Documents 123
12. The Internet 137
13. Researching and Delivering Information 153
14. Evaluation 159
Answers 173
Glossary 185
References 197
LCSH Form Subdivisions 215
Index 217
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my colleagues, especially Elizabeth Hopgood, Margaret Hyland and Mary
Mortimer, for their help and encouragement. I would also like to thank my husband Jeff and
sons Richard and James for being so patient while I worked on this book (and for giving me
access to the printer!)
Mary Gosling
Australian Edition
Thanks to the University of Denver (DU) Library Information Science (LIS) students for their
inspiration, to Karen Lochhead for the Canadian content, to Mary Mortimer for her patience,
and to my husband, Les Sitter, for his encouragement. Additional thanks to the DU College of
Education (COE) and LIS folks: Ginger Maloney, COE Dean; Deborah Grealy, LIS Director;
and Shannon Smith, Research Assistant.
Clara L. Sitter
North American Edition
Special thanks to Colin Gray for the chapter on the Internet, and his invaluable advice on current
trends in electronic reference work.
Mary Mortimer
Publisher
NOTE ON C API TA LIZ ATION
Titles included in the text are capitalized according to standard library cataloging practice—that
is, apart from names, only the first word of the title has a capital letter. This is intended to
accustom library students and staff to this style. The references at the back of the book use the
normal capitalization found in bibliographies.
INTRODUCTION
Reference services determine the primary way many libraries are known to their users. The
delivery of reference service options have expanded greatly in recent years. Technology including
features such as Internet, IM (instant messaging), pod casting, blogging, RSS (Really Simple
Syndication), 24/7 virtual and chat reference, wireless networking, fax, email, online, and cell
phones has had an impact on information services. All traditional modes of communication
including traditional face-to-face, telephone, and snail mail modes are still in operation.
Reference staff must be prepared to deal with any contact mode and should incorporate
appropriate technology into their services.
Large public library systems are looking at new models for delivery of all forms of service. The
concept of full service libraries is becoming more limited. Some systems are designating certain
libraries as full service including walk in reference while others may be focused on popular
resources and programming (sometimes called the bookstore model or neighborhood libraries),
service to children and teens, language and learning, or special collections for special users.
Subject specialists, instruction librarians, and readers’ advisory staff have enhanced the services of
large libraries. New technology and expansion of resource sharing, have multiplied the formats of
information available to users. In spite of the rapid changes the basic goal of reference service
remains constant: to connect users with information.
This book is an introduction to basic knowledge and skills in reference work. It provides a
foundation of theory and information for good reference service. We also introduce some
additional concepts related to services, models, and issues facing managers. The text is
supplemented with practice exercises and skill tests. Answers for self-checking are at the back of
the book. Examples of sources are included but there are often many sources suitable for
answering a question.
Although libraries use fewer printed reference sources, we have included a combination of print
and electronic sources because some people may not have access to the electronic versions.
Internet resources are included in each of the chapters as appropriate.
Reference materials are subject to frequent editions, revisions, and updates. Electronic and
Internet resources are updated even more frequently. It is a challenge to prepare exercises and
write questions that are relevant for all readers. We hope the questions are general enough to be
answered without consulting a specific title or edition. The most challenging exercises are at the
end of each chapter, and may be omitted if the relevant resources are not available. It is more
important to become familiar with types of tools and to develop a sense of the appropriate
resource than to find the exact answer to these questions.
Enjoy.
Chapter 1
REFERENCE SERVICES
Introduction
The purpose of every library is to connect users with information. The reference department
provides services to help users make the best use of a library’s resources as well as to find
information quickly and efficiently through internal or external sources.
Reference services vary with the purpose and size of the library. A large library is likely to have a
reference section with many librarians who deal with a wide variety of subjects. Individuals may
also be responsible for a function or a subject area. A large library will have a separate reference
desk and a circulation desk to meet the needs of its users. A smaller organization may have only
one or two staff to provide a wide variety of services, although the library may be more subject-
focused. Smaller facilities will likely have one desk providing both circulation and reference
assistance.
Reference staff must develop skills in accessing information and assisting users. They need to
know the library’s collection and understand how to find information efficiently.
Most libraries have a reference collection consisting of both print publications and electronic
resources. Libraries may help users find information as well as refer them to other sources. The
Internet has greatly increased the range of resources available for finding information and
answering questions.
The basic purpose of the reference section is to assist users in accessing information in the
library’s collection, selecting the best sources from that collection, and referring users to other
appropriate sources.
Reference Services
Traditional reference services provided by libraries relate to questions, collections and extended
services and may include the following:
Questions
• library assistance
• answers to questions
• readers’ advisory
Collections
• reference collection
• circulation options
• equipment access
Extended Services
• literature searches
• library instruction
• current awareness
9
10 LEARN REFERENCE WORK
Library Assistance
Many library users need help using the library the first time they visit. They often need help
searching the catalog, locating material on the shelves, or finding information in reference
sources. Some people feel comfortable using a library, but are unfamiliar with electronic sources
and may request help using electronic databases or the Internet. Library staff give advice on
search techniques and explain how to use the library’s resources.
Answers to Questions
A number of people come to a library to find the answer to a particular question or problem.
They ask for help at the reference desk because they are unsure where to start looking. Their
questions range from simple requests, e.g., “Do you have any books on the Civil War?”, to
complex research topics such as “What effect did missionaries have on the political development
of Alaska?” Reference librarians are trained to find answers to questions and to help users find the
needed information.
Readers’ Advisory
Library users often come to the library looking for recreational reading. A readers’ advisor is a
library staff member who advises readers on their choice of books. Generally only the largest
libraries have a separate desk and staff for readers’ advisory services. It is more common for
reference staff to assume this responsibility as well as providing information services. As models of
service change the emphasis on readers’ advisory will be more prominent in libraries using the
neighborhood library or bookstore models.
Reference Collection
Perhaps the most important part of a reference section is the collection of resources. It consists of
works to help users find information or refer them to other sources of information. Printed
reference sources are usually shelved close to the reference desk for convenience and so that the
reference staff can assist users. Many reference sources are now available in electronic form as well
as in print. The reference staff aid users in using these sources efficiently. A small select group of
frequently used resources at the reference desk is sometimes called the ready reference collection.
Circulation Options
Most libraries lend materials from their collections to their users. If a library does not own the
required item, staff will borrow it from another library, i.e., a library-to-library loan on behalf of
the user known as “interlibrary loan” or ILL. Many public-supported libraries have reciprocal
borrowing allowing patrons to use their local library card to borrow from a participating library.
In the United States a number of state and multi-state systems have formed reciprocal borrowing
agreements. The service may be referred to as a “one-card” or statewide library card system.
Within systems or collaborative groups users may have options for even faster borrowing
facilitated by daily courier delivery.
Equipment Access
Photocopiers are generally available to enable users to copy relevant information. Most libraries
provide computing facilities with access to printers, scanners, and email to assist users in
preparing reports or recording data. Libraries may circulate other equipment such as e-readers to
complement e-book collections.
Chapter 1 REFERENCE SERVICES 11
Library Instruction
Libraries provide instruction on library use to individuals and groups of users. A library may hold
orientation tours for new users, conduct training sessions for specific resources, or provide
overviews to special collections. School and academic librarians collaborate with faculty to
incorporate information literacy standards into assignments and specific lessons. Most libraries
publish guides to their collections and services. Instruction may be formal or informal as well as
mediated or non-mediated.
Literature Searches
When a library user has a complex research question the library staff may search for relevant
information using online databases, electronic resources, or Internet websites. Sometimes
individuals are encouraged to make appointments to ensure that the most appropriate subject
specialist is responding to the question and that adequate time and resources are available. Some
libraries encourage users to do their own searches.
Current Awareness
Current awareness services may be provided to ensure that library users keep up-to-date with
information in their interest or subject areas. This type of information is often posted on the
library web page. Services may include:
• bibliographies or reading lists—lists of works on a particular topic of interest (also called
pathfinders) are prepared for users.
• bulletins and newsletters—bulletins or newsletters may be prepared and distributed with
news about the library, details of new services, lists of newly acquired resources, and other
items likely to be of interest.
• displays—new additions to the library are displayed in a prominent position, or exhibits on a
particular subject are prepared.
• journal circulation—new issues of journals are sent to users who have expressed an interest in
reading them.
• journal title and contents page—the title and contents pages are sent to users upon request.
• lists of Internet sites—Internet sites relevant to users’ interests are highlighted for the users.
• lists of new titles—a list of resources recently added to the collection is prepared and
distributed to users or made available via email or the Web.
• newspaper clippings—articles may be copied from the newspaper and sent to users as
requested. Commercial clipping services may be contracted to provide articles relevant to
users’ needs.
• selective dissemination of information (SDI)—SDI involves asking users to describe their
information needs and then supplying items to fit those needs as the library receives them.
Special libraries are more likely to provide this customized service. The service may involve a
great effort by the library staff.
Factors Aff ecting Service

User needs should drive the services offered. Other factors influencing the services offered include
Facility
• type of library
• function or mission
• space available
Collection
• collection size
• scope
• budget allocation
Staff
• philosophy of service
• workloads
• expertise
Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers

The reference desk is often seen as the hub of the library. Many users seek reference help before
attempting to look in a catalog. Other users are too timid to approach those “smart people”
behind the desk.
Reference staff should be approachable. Behaviors contributing to an approachable appearance

include: making eye contact, smiling, giving a friendly greeting, and giving full attention to each
question. Once the user approaches staff other behaviors include showing interest, listening,
searching, and following up. These behaviors are discussed more fully in the American Library
Association document, Guidelines for behavioral performance of reference and information service
providers (www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinesbehavioral.htm)
Reference staff should be proactive as well as reactive. They should look for users who are
uncertain of where to go or what to do while dealing with users familiar with the range of library
services. Libraries often schedule “roving” librarians to move through the facility actively looking
for ways to be helpful.
All reference staff should know library procedures and policies, such as registrations, emergencies,
telephone procedures, and gathering statistics. Instruction and training, such as how to use the
catalog, may also be the task of the reference staff, so it is important to practice these skills.
It is helpful to be conversant in local and current affairs. Daily and local papers often generate
reference queries. Reference staff should also read community notices and listen to the local radio
and television news.
Never assume knowledge. If you do not know an answer, refer the user to those able to help. Be
prepared to call for help in busy times. Pride in coping has no place in a busy reference
department, especially if it means users wait, or leave without help.
Readers’ Advisors
Good readers’ advisors read widely and are able to discuss a variety of genre literature with users.
Popular fiction genres include mystery, romance, science fiction, and horror. There are also non-
fiction areas for popular reading such as true crime, biography, history, and travel. There are
numerous resources to aid staff in assisting users find requested recreational reading materials. In
order to work as a readers’ advisor and an information provider you need a wide range of skills
and knowledge.
Pers on a l Char acteri stic s

• tact
• tenaciousness
• approachability
• enthusiasm
• interest
• service commitment
Commu nic ati on S ki lls

• active listening skills
• appropriate questioning techniques
• ability to give instructions and explain procedures
• positive body language
• ability to put people at ease
• skills working with all ages and temperaments
Kn ow ledge Base
• the library collection
• search strategies
• good search techniques
• library policies and rules
• principles of good customer service
• when to ask for help or make referrals
E XER CISE 1.1 - L I BR ARY S ER VI CES

Visit a library and find out what services are offered. Complete the following table based on the
information gathered from guides, websites, handouts, and observations.
Se rvice D oe s the libra ry pr ovide ?

Library assistance
Answers to questions
Readers’ advisory
Reference collection
Circulation options, e.g., interlibrary loan (ILL)
Photocopiers and scanners
Email access
Equipment circulation
Library instruction
Literature searches
Bibliographies or reading lists
Bulletins and newsletters
Journal titles and contents lists circulated
Journal circulation
Displays
New titles lists
Lists of Internet sites
Selective dissemination of information
Types of Reference Qu esti ons

Reference questions fit into the following categories:
• directional—requiring knowledge of the physical layout of the library, e.g., where are the
maps shelved?
• instruction—educating people to use the library’s resources effectively, e.g., how do I use the
ERIC database?
• ready reference—providing factual information from one or two simple sources, e.g., what
is the population of Mexico?
• readers’ advisory—recommending titles or authors for pleasure reading, e.g., can you
recommend a good thriller?
• research—answering complex questions requiring multiple sources, e.g., what is the impact
of current levels of unemployment on the Social Security Systems of France, the U.S. and
Canada?
• referrals—suggesting community agencies for services outside the library, e.g., where could I
get a tourist map of the city?
E XER CISE 1.2 – T YP ES OF R E FE RE N CE Q UE STI ON S

Look at the following questions and decide to which of the above categories they belong—
directional assistance, user instruction, ready reference, readers’ advisory, research consultation, or
referral services.
1. I want some information on zoology.
2. Can you suggest a good murder mystery?
3. Where are the recent journals shelved?
4. I am looking for a book about a school written by a Canadian author.
5. Can you find some articles on the effects of rubella in pregnant women?
6. I need some information on the history and development of the American cotton industry.
7. How do I use your library catalog?
8. How do you stop severe chest pains?
9. Has Thomas Keneally written anything else besides Schindler’s Ark?
10. Where do you keep the large-print fiction?

11. When will the next election be held?
12. Do you have any pictures of the Grand Canyon?
13. I need some information on the use of radiocarbon testing to date ancient relics.
14. I am looking for a blue book on one of the shelves near the door. My friend had it last week
and said it was very good.
15. I want a good introductory book on astronomy.
16. Please will you show me how to use the Internet? I am looking for some information on the
importance of exercise.
17. Who was Conchita Supervia?
18. Where would I get a copy of the Smithsonian Annual Report?
19. How long is the Nile River?
20. Give me everything you have on Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Reference Interview

One of the most challenging aspects of reference service is communicating with the library user.
Information seekers frequently have a difficult time articulating their questions. Generally several
exchanges need to take place between the librarian and the library user to identify the unexpressed
information need.
There is a fine line between patron privacy and the librarian’s need to know enough about the
question to be helpful. The conversation with the user to determine the question is referred to as
the reference interview. It is a communication process.
In the 1980s a number of studies were done to evaluate effective reference service. They indicated
that many reference librarians were not “completely and correctly” answering reference questions
nearly half of the time simply because the user’s question was not completely understood. It is
risky for any reference staff to assume they know the user’s question without confirming, or
paraphrasing, the question.
The question—and the answer—must be verified. The steps in the reference encounter 1 are:
1. Welcoming—Make eye contact, smile, give a friendly greeting.
2. Attending—Give full attention, maintain eye contact, make attentive comments.
3. Listening—Paraphrase or clarify, do not interrupt.
4. Probing—Use open probes to initiate and pursue the inquiry: “Tell me more….” Use
contracting probes to narrow the focus “Can you be more specific?”
5. Verifying—Paraphrase the question. Ask “Is that your specific question?”
6. Searching—Go with the user to the shelf, report progress (telephone), make a referral.
7. Informing—Cite the source, confirm that the answer is understood.
8. Follow up—Ask “Does this completely answer your question?” or other follow-up.
Search Strategy
The search strategy is the process of finding answers to reference questions in the fastest, most
efficient way. Staff should never give answers that are not based on sources. It is not good
practice to give answers from your own knowledge without consulting references. It may be
appropriate to discuss strategy with the user and encourage them to contribute their ideas.
An effective search strategy involves the following steps:

1. clarify the problem
2. select materials
3. prioritize sources
4. locate sources
5. search materials
6. evaluate the process
7. compile and present the findings
•
1
Based on model reference behaviors introduced by Ralph Gers and Lillie Seward in “Improving reference
performance: results of a statewide study”, Library journal, November 1 1985, pp. 32-35.
Clarify the Problem

• Fit the topic into a discipline; look up terminology if needed.
• Determine the level of detail needed.
• Determine how much information is required.
• Respect the user’s privacy. Avoid direct questions regarding the purpose of the inquiry such as
“Why do you need this information?” or “What are you going to do with this information?”
Make a statement if it is necessary to know the purpose. For example: “I could be more
helpful if I knew the purpose of the information.”
• Determine the urgency of the request.
• Identify whether recent or historical information needed.
• Determine if a particular format is required such as a video or periodical article.
Select Materials
• Decide if the information is likely to appear in reference sources.
• Decide if the information will be found in the library or will require a referral.
• Determine if you need to contact an expert in the field.
Prioritize Sources
• Identify the sources in the order of their likelihood to contain the information.
• Consider the appropriateness of each source.
Locate Sources
• Find appropriate resources in the reference or circulating collection.
• Identify resources outside the library.
• Arrange pick up or delivery as appropriate.
Search Materials
• Search until an answer is found, or
• It is determined that the answer is not in the identified source.
Evaluate the Process

• Request more information if needed.
• Request more time if necessary.
• Refer the user to another library or librarian as appropriate.
Compile and Present the Findings

• Confirm the type of information needed.
• Confirm the preferred information format including books, journals, or nonprint.
• Review the method of presentation required.
• Clarify the timeline restrictions.
The Reference Desk

In some libraries the circulation desk and reference desk are separate. In others the same desk
provides both reference and loan services. Users will usually ask for help at the first desk they see.
This means that circulation staff often refer users to the reference desk or will try to handle the
questions themselves.
Larger libraries may have a separate area for complex questions. Staff at the reference desk screen
questions and make appointments for users to see a more senior staff member if necessary.
Arrangements for recording reference questions vary from library to library. Many libraries record
the total number of questions. Others go into detail about the type of inquiry and the time taken
to complete it. Some libraries use cards or a notebook to record places and people to contact.
Pressures at the Reference Desk

Working in a reference area can be demanding and may require facing the following situations:
• managing several questions at once
• adjusting to an irregular pace of questions
• balancing telephone and face-to-face requests
• coping with demanding patrons
• dealing with interruptions
Pressures may lead to exhaustion, frustration, and apathy, resulting in poor service. Busy libraries
may limit reference shifts to two or three hours at a time.
Training Methods
Libraries adopt different methods to train new reference staff. They may be attached to an
experienced member of staff and work under supervision in a mentoring position. They observe
senior staff conducting reference interviews, formulating and carrying out search strategies in a
“shadowing” relationship. They may be given time to browse through the reference collection
and to explore electronic resources to become familiar with information sources. The best way to
learn to work on the desk and interact with users.
Library Technicians in the Reference Section

A library technician is likely to make the initial contact with the user. If the inquiry is difficult,
they should refer the patron to a reference librarian. The amount of responsibility given to
technicians depends on the philosophy of the library and the librarians, the type of library and its
users, and the size of the library.
Ethics
Library staff follow a code of ethics which outlines that they should always
• remain objective
• provide the right information
• avoid making judgments about the clients or the questions asked
• avoid interpreting the information
• avoid giving legal, medical or financial advice
• respect the confidentiality of each query
• provide equal service to all
• remember legal implications when supplying information.
Although you should try to treat all library clients equally, some libraries prepare guidelines on
the level of service provided to various types of clients. For example, research staff in an academic
library are likely to receive more assistance than undergraduate students.
Code of Ethics of the American Library Association

As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and
making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the
work of librarians, other professionals providing information services, library trustees and library
staffs.
Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of
Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of
the profession in this changing information environment.
We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination

of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a
profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information.
We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and
future generations.
The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making.
These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover
particular situations.
1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and
usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate,
unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library
resources.
3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to
information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or
transmitted.
4. We recognize and respect intellectual property rights.
5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith, and
advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees
of our institutions.
6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our
employing institutions.
7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not
allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our
institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own
knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by
fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
(www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/codeofethics/codeethics.htm)
Code of Ethics of the Canadian Library Association

Members of the Canadian Library Association have the individual and collective responsibility to:
1. support and implement the principles and practices embodied in the current Canadian
Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom;
2. make every effort to promote and maintain the highest possible range and standards of
library service to all segments of Canadian society;
3. facilitate access to any or all sources of information which may be of assistance to library
users;
4. protect the privacy and dignity of library users and staff.
(www.cla.ca/about/ethics.htm)
Legal and Professi onal Requirements

When assisting a client, you may have to take into account
• copyright
• privacy
• confidentiality
• duty of care
• censorship
Copyright
Before providing information to a client you must make sure that you are not infringing the
copyright laws by copying or downloading information inappropriately. You must become
familiar with the conditions of the copyright law and instruct clients on how to comply with it.
Privacy
Even if your library is not covered by state or federal privacy legislation, libraries generally follow
privacy principles such as only collecting information from the client that is necessary for the
library to conduct its business, not keeping such information longer than is necessary, keeping
that information secure, and ensuring that the client knows what information is being collected,
and why. You would certainly not reveal a client’s personal details, or the details of an enquiry, to
another library client or to other staff who had no need for this information.
In some libraries staff may also need to be aware of commercial, technical, or political reasons for
the security and confidentiality of information.
Confidentiality
Library staff must be discreet and tactful when handling enquiries. It can be frustrating if a client
is unwilling to tell you why they need the information, but they have the right to keep quiet
about their reasons. Be careful when conducting a reference interview that your conversation is
not overheard by other library clients.
Duty of Care
Whether or not library staff can be held liable for the quality of the information that they supply
is not clear. However, when working in a reference area professional ethics require you to make
sure that to the best of your ability the information you provide is accurate, and comes from a
variety of documented sources.
Censorship
Many people argue that libraries should not include books or other information on controversial
topics. However, ALA’s position is made clear in its Freedom to read statement
(www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement.htm), part of which
states:
It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest
diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or
considered dangerous by the majority.
There is also controversy over people’s (especially children’s) free Internet access in public
libraries. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (www.ala.org/ala/oif) has a lot of information
about the legal and moral issues for libraries.
E XER CISE 1.3

Examine the following requests for information and decide whether there are any legal or ethical
implications relating to the request.
1. Where would I find a list of poisons?
2. I am interested in buying an atlas. Which one would you recommend?
3. I am appearing in court next month on a drink-driving charge. Can you direct me to some useful
legal books?
4. I need to photocopy three chapters out of this book Techniques for student research. Can you
direct me to the photocopier?
Chapter 2
REFERENCE SOURCES
Introduction
A reference collection contains sources in print and electronic format intended for reference
rather than reading. Reference materials generally do not circulate and are usually marked “library
use only”. Because reference works are the tools of reference service they may be referred to as
tools.
The reference collection consists of dictionaries, encyclopedias, biographical resources, directories,

atlases, gazetteers, yearbooks, almanacs, manuals, handbooks, bibliographies, and other sources
providing readily accessible reference information. Reference materials are arranged to enable
convenient use by library users and staff.
Finding Out about Ref erence Work s

There are several standard guides to reference sources including Walford’s Guide to reference
material and the American Library Association (ALA) publication, Guide to reference books.
Robert Baley is the current editor of the ALA guide originally written by Eugene Sheehy and for
many years referred to simply as Sheehey’s. Two textbooks frequently used in graduate schools are
Richard Bopp’s Reference and information services and William Katz’s Introduction to reference
work.
Several general reference books have been published in the last few years including Kay Ann
Cassell and Uma Hiremath’s Reference and information services in the 21st century: an introduction.
School librarians may benefit from Ann Riedling’s Reference skills for the school library media
specialist: tools and tips, 2nd ed. There are numerous other works addressing various aspects of
reference service. These and other resources are listed in the bibliography.
Library journals, popular magazines, scholarly journals, and newspapers may include reviews of
new reference works. Publishers send announcements about forthcoming reference materials.
Reviewing publications for reference materials include Booklist, Choice, Library journal, and School
library journal. Reference & User Services Association (RUSA), a division of ALA, publishes
Reference & user services quarterly (RUSQ) containing articles on reference services as well as
reviews of reference materials. RUSA offers a number of helpful resources via the ALA website
www.ala.org
Each year the May issue of American libraries includes a feature article on outstanding reference
sources listing distinguished reference titles selected by RUSA’s Reference Sources Committee.
Library journal also publishes a special issue on reference materials. Libraries Unlimited publishes
an annual volume, American reference books annual (ARBA) listing new reference titles.
23
Evaluating a Reference Work

When choosing reference materials consider the following factors:
• currency
• accuracy
• authority
• purpose
• scope
• bias or slant
• arrangement
• bibliography
• indexing
• format
• need
• cost
Currency
It is important to check the preface or introduction to determine the timeliness of the
information. The year of publication is not always an indicator of the currency of the contents as
some reference sources take years to compile. The copyright date is a better indication of major
revisions. Resetting the text of a reference source, such as a large encyclopedia, is a major
undertaking so some publishers produce yearbooks or a supplement instead of updating the
complete work. Web resources are easily updated but one cannot assume that everything on the
Web is current. Updating schedules are important factors when considering all types of resources.
Accuracy
Accurate information is essential when providing information to users. Spot check facts in
resources and consult reliable reviews to confirm the quality of information. Some reference
works are designed to be eye-catching, using lots of colors, large illustrations, maps, and a variety
of fonts. It is important not to be sidetracked by presentation and forget to check the accuracy of
the information.
Authority
The publisher’s reputation is important and can be used as a measure of the quality of the work.
The preface usually lists names of editors, editorial staff, advisers, consultants, and contributors
with their qualifications and status. Accuracy may be sacrificed if the author or editor relies on
secondary rather than primary sources.
Purpose
Most reference works include an introduction explaining why the work was produced and
describing the intended user group. Read the introduction to ensure a fit for the collection.
Scope
Check to see if the publication is comprehensive within its chosen area or if it is selective. Some
reference sources are designed for specialists. Others are prepared for the popular market. Authors
or editors may compromise between scholarship and popularity to boost sales.
Chapter 2 REFERENCE SOURCES 25
Bias or Slant
Some reference works have a national, political, or group slant. They may include information of
interest to a particular country, party, or organization rather than having a generic appeal. Always
check publication information as this may suggest a bias in the presentation.
Arrangement
Some reference works are easier to use than others because the information is arranged in a more
logical manner. Most users want to find information quickly so they prefer sources designed for
ease of consultation. Arrangement and presentation are important.
Bibliography
Reference sources often provide bibliographies or suggestions for further reading. It is important
to check the recency of these references.
Indexing
The index needs to be comprehensive and easy to use. It should include adequate cross-
references. These are usually indicated by “see also references” referring the reader to related
entries. Indexes also include “see references” referring users from terms not used to standard or
preferred terms.
Format
Features such as the size of the publication, typeface, illustrations, paper quality, colors, binding,
and arrangement will influence your judgment of a reference work. The inclusion of special
features such as maps, charts, illustrations, tables, photographs, and bibliographies may encourage
staff to choose one reference source in preference to another.
Need
It is important to consider how the item relates to the collection. Is the material needed to
provide balance or to complement other available resources? Does it fit the needs of the users?
The same information is often available in print or electronic form. The subject matter and the
intended use will help determine the best choice for the situation.
Cost
Pricing alone should not be the determining factor in purchasing choices. All libraries have
budgets and there is never enough money. Cost must be a consideration when looking at the
purchase in light of the entire budget and needs for the collection.
How to S tudy Ref erence Works

• Examine the title page carefully to determine the scope of the work as indicated in the title,
the author’s name, the author’s background (qualifications, positions held, titles of earlier
works), the publisher, and the date of publication.
• Read the preface or introduction for further information about the scope of the work, special
features, limitations if any, and comparison with other publications on the subject.
• Examine the publication itself to determine its arrangement, types of entries, cross-references,
supplementary lists, indexes, and the quality of articles. Notice if articles are popular or
scientific, signed or unsigned, impartial or biased and if bibliographical references are
included.
• Compare the publication with earlier editions. Determine if the work supersedes or
complements earlier editions.
E XER CISE 2.1 – E X AMI NI NG A R EFER EN CE W O R K

Visit a library and select any general reference tool. Examine the work carefully reviewing the steps
outlined above. Make notes in the form below and add comments for features you want to remember.
Title
Author or editor (if there is one)
Edition
Place of publication
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work
Arrangement (e.g., alphabetical listing)
Example of a question it might answer

Selecti ng the Correct Ref erence T ool

To select the correct reference tool, remember the five basic questions: What? Who? Where?
When? Why? The table will help with that decision.
Information Sources
Question Purpose Source

Meaning
Spelling
Words Pronunciation Dictionaries and thesauri
What? Synonyms
Usage
Background Encyclopedias
Things
Facts and figures Almanacs and handbooks
Background Biographical dictionaries

Who? People Encyclopedias
Location Directories
Location Maps, atlases, gazetteers
Where? Places Facts and figures Almanacs and handbooks
Background Encyclopedias, thematic

atlases
Facts and figures Almanacs and yearbooks
When? Events and dates
Current events Indexes, yearbooks
Why? Information Facts and figures Directories, handbooks,

statistics
Source: Adapted from Figure 2-2 in Lane, Nancy, Margaret Chisholm & Carolyn Mateer (2000). Techniques for
student research: a comprehensive guide to using the library. New York: Neal-Schuman
E XER CISE 2.2 – E XA MI NI NG T YP ES OF R E FERE N CE M AT ER IA LS

Listed below are a number of types of reference materials. Look at a library’s reference collection and
try to find an example of each of the types. Examine it carefully, noting the type of information it
contains and the way it is arranged. Read the introduction and fill in the tables.
Alman a c—a miscellany of useful facts and statistical data

Atlas —a volume of maps or charts with or without explanations
Bibliogr aphy —a list of related resources usually subject-related
Biogr aphi cal s our ce —an alphabetical listing of people with dates, titles, birthplace, family,
education, and career
Dicti on ary —an alphabetically arranged publication containing information about words
Dir ect ory —a list of names of residents, organizations or firms in a city, region, country or
international group, providing various details such as address, telephone number, email, and fax; a
list of members of a particular profession or trade
En cy cl ope dia —a systematic summary of significant knowledge; a summary of knowledge of one
subject. Usually arranged alphabetically
Gaz ette er —a geographical directory listing information on places and locations
Ha ndb ook —a concise source of information for a particular field of knowledge
Ma nu al—a book of instruction on doing, making, or performing something
Yea rb ook —annual publication of current descriptive or statistical information
Dictionary—an alphabetically arranged publication containing information about words, meanings,

derivations, spelling, pronunciation, syllabication, and usage
Title of dictionary
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work
Arrangement (e.g., alphabetical listing)
Example of a question it might answer

En cy cl ope dia —A systematic summary of significant knowledge; a summary of knowledge of one

subject. Usually arranged alphabetically
Title of encyclopedia
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work
Arrangement (e.g., alphabetical

listing)
Example of a question it might
answer
Biogr aphi cal s ou rce —a listing of people, in alphabetical order by name, and information about
the person such as dates, titles, birthplace, family, education, and career; a biographical directory
Title of biographical dictionary
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Dir ect ory —a list of names of residents, organizations or firms in a city, region, country or
international group, providing various details such as addresses, telephone number, email, and fax; a
list of members of a particular profession or trade
Title of directory
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Atlas —a volume of maps or charts with or without explanations
Title of atlas
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Gaz ette er —a geographical directory listing places, locations, and information about them
Title of gazetteer
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Yea rb ook —an annual publication containing current information in brief, descriptive, or statistical
form
Title of yearbook
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Alman a c—A miscellany of useful facts and statistical data
Title of almanac
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Ma nu al—a book of instruction on doing, making, or performing something
Title of manual
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Ha ndb ook —a concise ready reference source of information for a particular field of knowledge
Title of handbook
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
Bibliogr aphy —a list of related resources, usually subject-related
Title of bibliography
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
E XER CISE 2.3 – T YPE S OF R EFER EN CE S O UR CE S

Look at the following questions and decide which t yp e of reference source to use to find the answer.
You do not need to name a specific title. Describe the clues you look for when deciding how to find
the answer, e.g., if the question asks for the meaning of a word you would use a dictionary.
The following should be accomplished after completing the exercise: careful reading to ensure the
question is understood; clarification of the answer to be found; knowledge of available sources of
information.
1. What is the population of San Francisco?
2. When will Easter fall in the year 2011?
3. When was the Battle of Waterloo?
4. What do the initials GATT stand for?
5. When was the actress Elizabeth Taylor born?
6. What are some antonyms of ponderous?
7. Who are the members of the Brunei royal family?
8. Where is Palermo?
9. Who is the Managing Director of Microsoft?

10. A faculty member is writing a paper for publication and is not sure when to use quotation
marks. Where would they find some instruction?
11. I want a list of books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
12. I have to find some information on environmental pollution for a school project. Is there a
study guide on the subject?
13. I am looking for some recent articles on folk medicine.
14. How many children attend elementary school in Oklahoma?
15. Who wrote the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
16. What are the names of the major companies in Waco, Texas?
17. Who is the Governor of Florida?
18. I am looking for information on the theory of evolution for a school report.
19. What is the annual rainfall in Morocco?
20. What are the names of the most famous French artists?
Sources of Inf ormati on

Library catalog is an important and useful reference source in a library because it is a list of all the
materials held by the library. The catalog enables users and staff to find whether the library holds
a particular item if they know the author, the title, or the subject is known. Electronic access to
holdings of other catalogs may facilitate interlibrary loan (ILL).
Reference collection is used to answer questions involving factual information. A ready reference
collection of frequently used materials is often found close to the reference desk.
General collection can provide answers to some questions by using books, periodicals, or special
collection materials. Sometimes it helps to find a relevant title and check the index for the specific
topic.
Databases and networks may need to be consulted. It may be necessary to search periodical
databases or information on the Internet in order to find the relevant information for the patron.
Proprietary databases in the content area will provide the most current information.
People experts in the field provide the best answers to some questions. Libraries may keep a file of
personal references to call or to send users.
Other libraries and agencies may need to be consulted. It is very satisfying to answer an inquiry
from the library’s collection; however, there are some questions, which cannot be answered. Be
prepared to make referrals to other libraries or information agencies.
Techniques of Good Searching

Generally librarians will
• keep a record of the search, showing the trails followed and desirable trails not followed or
not completed
• watch out for spelling mistakes or factual errors
• search under different spellings
• watch spacing, as hyphenated words may be written in different ways, e.g., yearbook, year-
book or year book
• look for existing bibliographies on the topic when doing a literature search to save time and
effort
• consult the Library of Congress subject headings (LCSH) or Sears list of subject headings to
determine related terms and synonyms as well as broader and narrower terms.
Reference Sou rces for Readers’ Ad visory

The emphasis in this text is information reference sources but because many reference librarians
are also responsible for readers’ advisory (RA) we are including an introduction and examples of
tools to help with this service.
Joyce Saricks addresses readers’ advisory service in the public library in her book, Readers’ advisory
service in the public library. There are a number of resources for literature as well as for specific
genres. In her Readers’ advisory guide to genre fiction she provides a chapter on each of the
following genres. Here is a brief description of each genre but realistically there is much overlap
in genre blending:
• adventure—hero overcoming obstacles and dangers in fulfilling a mission
• fantasy—generally includes magic
• gentle reads—“feel-good” books; no strong language, explicit sex or violence
• historical fiction—set in the past, before the author’s lifetime and experience
• horror—produces fear in the reader; often monsters or supernatural elements
• literary fiction—award-winning, provocative, multilayered, serious issues
• mysteries—includes a puzzle with clues to the solution
• psychological suspense—chilling; disturbing; plays with the mind
• romance2—love relationship between two characters with a happy ending
• romantic suspense—romance with an element of danger
• science fiction—speculative fiction, usually set in the future
• suspense—fast-paced, building of tension and uneasiness
• thrillers—action-packed; focused on professions: espionage, medical, or legal
• westerns—set in western U.S. about the land and men who helped settle it
• women’s lives and relationships—strong women; domestic and professional issues.
Nonfiction is important in pleasure reading for library users including the following areas:
animals, arts and entertainment, biography and memoir, discovery, food, gardening, history,
home improvement, humor, travel, true crime and more. In addition to the variety of content for
pleasure reading, libraries provide resources in alternative formats including videos, DVDs, CDs,
e-books, and audio books.
Readers’ advisory conversation with users is more informal and personal than the informational
interview. Personal tastes vary, so one person’s “good book” may not be appreciated by someone
else. It is safe to prefer descriptive, factual statements such as award-winning or fast-paced, to
subjective statements. Suggesting, rather than recommending, titles puts the librarian RA in a
more professional relationship with the user and is advised in most situations. Suggesting a title
similar to the user’s favorite books comes with experience and broad reading habits. A number of
tools for RA consider similar styles. Examples of these and other resources are listed in the
bibliography.
•
2
This is a huge genre accounting for about 50% of all paperback fiction sales. There are many sub-genres including
contemporary, historical, racy, gentle, realistic, and paranormal.
Chapter 3
DICTIONARIES
Introduction
A dictionary is an alphabetically arranged publication containing information about words,
meanings, derivations, spelling, pronunciation, syllabication, and usage. It may also give
synonyms, antonyms, illustrative quotations, maps and plates, biographical facts, and
geographical information. The word “dictionary” comes from the Latin dictio, meaning a word or
a phrase.
Most people are familiar with general usage dictionaries. There are also dictionaries dealing with
virtually every language and subject, and special purpose dictionaries, e.g., rhyming words, slang,
dialects, acronyms, abbreviations, new words, obsolete words, names, eponyms, phrases, and
quotations. Some reference tools that have “dictionary” in the title are not dictionaries; they are
simply arranged in alphabetical order.
Library classification systems place dictionaries with language. Dictionaries with English language
works are classified in Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) in 420. Library of Congress
Classification (LCC) puts English language dictionaries in PE. Specialized dictionaries are
generally classified by subject. Most dictionaries will be found in reference collections though
older editions may circulate.
A standard subdivision from the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is Dictionaries.
An example is Music—Dictionaries. Another option is to use the standard subdivision
Encyclopedias and Dictionaries. An example is Economics—Encyclopedias and Dictionaries.
(Encyclopedias can also be used alone as a standard subdivision.)
Categories of Dictionaries
Katz groups dictionaries in eight categories:
1. general English language unabridged—more than 265,000 words, and
desk or collegiate—139,000 to 180,000 words
2. paperback—30,000 to 55,000 words
3. historical—history of a word
4. period or scholarly works—focus on a specific time or place
5. etymological dictionaries—focus on elements from other languages
6. foreign language—bilingual
7. subject—words in a given area
8. other—miscellaneous such as abbreviations, slang, usage
39
Special Dictionaries or Word Books

There are many resources related to words in the reference collection as well as works classified in
the circulating collection. Examples of the range of word books with examples are included
below.
Acrony ms a nd A bbrev iat i on s —Valuable for clarifying the mysteries of these shortcuts in
communication. The LCSH subject heading is Acronyms or Abbreviations. Examples of titles:
Acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations dictionary
www.acronymfinder.com
Bi li ngu al —Literally “two languages.” There are numerous dictionaries showing, for example,
English to Spanish and Spanish to English. Cassell, Oxford University Press, and McGraw Hill
are major publishers of bilingual dictionaries.
Cassell’s Italian dictionary
Ch ildr en’ s —Dictionaries for children contain definitions in simple language and generally use
large type). Subject headings include English Language—Dictionaries, Juvenile or Children’s
encyclopedias and dictionaries. Examples of titles:
Macmillan dictionary for children
Thorndike-Barnhart children’s dictionary
World Book dictionary (also available on pocket PCs and smart phones)
Concord a nce —A concordance is an alphabetical index of the important words in a book, or the
works of an author, with references to the phrases and passages in the text. Examples include
concordances to the Bible, or a particular author, such as Shakespeare or Chaucer. The subject
heading is Concordances. Examples:
Abingdon’s Strong’s exhaustive concordance of the Bible
Harvard Concordance to Shakespeare
Ety mology —The origin of a word, or etymology, is found in most dictionaries. There are some
dictionaries of etymology that focus more on the origin and history. Etymology is used as a
subdivision. An example of a subject heading is English language—Etymology. The most
extensive is the Oxford English Dictionary.
Oxford dictionary of English etymology
Oxford English dictionary
Foreig n Langu age —These may offer the foreign word and English equivalent, but not the
meaning. Major publishers include Cassell and Oxford. Examples:
Cassell’s German dictionary
Larousse French dictionary
Glos sar y —A glossary is an alphabetical list of definitions. The list may relate to words used in a
particular book or to a particular subject. Generally glossaries are found at the end of a book such
as this workbook. In some cases glossaries are published separately, for example:
LibrarySpeak: a glossary of terms in librarianship and information management
Le xic on —A lexicon is another term for dictionary; most often of ancient languages, e.g., Greek,
Hebrew, and Arabic. The term is derived from the Greek “lexis” meaning word and may be used
in the title.
Chapter 3 DICTIONARIES 41
Metad icti onari es —Literally “a dictionary of dictionaries.” A metadictionary is an online

indexing service combining the electronic data from multiple dictionaries.
OneLook dictionary search at www.onelook.com
www.dictionary.com
On li ne —There are a number of online dictionaries. One of the most useful for library science is
Online dictionary of library and information science (ODLIS) at www.lu.com/odlis
Orth ogra ph y —Correct spelling. All dictionaries and word books provide the correct spelling.
Some may distinguish between spelling “usage” for example British/Canadian/Australian spelling
differences from American in such terms as catalogue (British, etc.) and catalog (United States).
Orthography is used as a subdivision for example: English language—Orthography and spelling.
There are books on the subject of orthography but generally they are not found in the reference
sections of libraries.
Poly glot Dicti onar y —A polyglot dictionary includes words for multiple languages. The term
“polyglot” may be used as a qualifier in a subject heading such as Dictionaries, Polyglot.
Multilingual dictionary of printing and publishing
Quotati on s —Books of quotations are in high demand in many libraries because people need
quotations for a variety of reasons. Phrases, incomplete or incorrectly quoted, are often presented
with the need to identify the person who said the words. Books of quotations may be arranged
chronologically, alphabetically by author or keyword, or by subject. Printed works will typically
have several indexes to provide maximum access to the body. Electronic formats are valuable for
identifying quotations. The LCSH subject heading is Quotations. Examples of titles:
Bartlett’s familiar quotations (chronological arrangement)
www.bartleby.com/100
Random House Webster’s quotationary (subject arrangement)
Rh y mi ng Dict i on arie s —Reference sources listing words that sound alike. They are useful for
poets and song writers. An example of the LCSH subject subdivision is English language—
Rhyme—Dictionaries. Examples of titles:
Oxford rhyming dictionary
RhymeZone (www.rhymezone.com)
Slang —There are a number of books of slang. The LCSH subject heading is Slang. Slang can
be used as a subject or as a subdivision. Another option is Jargon (Terminology). Universities
and large public libraries may have several including the following:
Random House historical dictionary of American slang
Dictionary of slang and unconventional English
Urban dictionary (www.urbandictionary.com)
Sty le Ma nu al —There are a number of books of style for grammar and punctuation as well as
for bibliographical citations. Each discipline has a preference. For example, humanities scholars
generally prefer MLA while social sciences often require APA. “Chicago” is a more generic use.
To find by subject using the LCSH use English language—Rhetoric—Handbooks, manuals,
etc. These and other style manuals will be addressed in the bibliography discussion.
APA—Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Chicago Manual of Style
MLA—Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
The sauru s —A thesaurus is a work containing synonymous and related words and phrases
rather than explaining meanings. The word “thesaurus” is of Greek origin and means a
storehouse or treasury of knowledge. Thesauri (plural) may also include antonyms (opposites).
The term thesaurus is used to describe dictionaries, which arrange words in classified order and
not in the usual alphabetical order. It is also used for a list of controlled vocabulary used in
databases. An example of the LCSH subject heading as subject or subdivision is Synonyms and
antonyms—English language or English language—Synonyms and antonyms. Examples:
Roget’s International Thesaurus
Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus
www.thesaurus.com
Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors (controlled vocabulary ERIC Database)
Una brid ged Dicti onar y —These are comprehensive dictionaries with more than 265,000
words. The largest is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) with 20 volumes. The first edition of
the OED3 was completed in 1928; the second edition was published in 1989. The new edition
does not supersede, or replace, the old one so academic libraries may have both on their shelves.
OED is available on CD-ROM and online.
Oxford English dictionary
Webster’s third new international dictionary
member.m-w.com/subscribe.php (for a fee)
Us age —Books of usage describe correct use of terms and words particularly words that are easily
confused such as “accept” and “except.” One of the most popular books of usage is simply
referred to as Fowler’s.
New Fowler’s modern English usage
www.bartelby.com
Vi sua l Dic ti onary —A reference work with illustrations of each word. These are useful for
children and language learners. Children’s visual dictionaries are sometimes referred to as picture
dictionaries or pictorial dictionaries. DK publishes visual dictionaries. DK also publishes many
books that are not considered dictionaries but are filled with illustrations. Example:
Ultimate visual dictionary
Other Ter ms As s ocia ted w ith Word s or Word Book s

antonym—opposite; e.g., good/ bad, soft/hard
braille—a code for the blind where letters are represented by raised dots,
conundrum—a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun
crossword—dictionaries specifically prepared for crossword puzzle users
dialect—a book indicating regional use of language by variation of grammar or pronunciation
eponym—word based on a person’s name, e.g. braille, peach melba
name books—books indicating the meanings of both first and last names
new words—supplements of new words are published periodically
obsolete words—books or lists of obsolete words
palindrome—a word or group of words that reads backward or forward; e.g., pep; toot; or name
no one man.
permuted—a string of words rotated to show each word in the first-word position
•
3
The interesting story of the making of the Oxford English Dictionary was published in Simon Winchester’s The
professor and the madman; a tale of murder, insanity, and the making of the Oxford English dictionary. New York:
HarperCollins, 1998.
pun—the humorous use of a word to suggest two meanings or the meaning of another word
similar in sound
rebus—a puzzle with words replaced by pictures; e.g., a picture of an eye for “I”
sign language—a formal language using hand gestures to represent words; used by the deaf
community
synonym—the same or similar; e.g., dust jacket and book cover
E XER CISE 3.1 - T YPE S OF D ICTI ON ARI ES AND W O RD B OO KS

Look for an example of each of the following types of dictionaries and list the titles below. Find as
many as you can.
1. General (abridged)
2. General (unabridged)
3. Children’s
4. Synonyms and antonyms
5. Slang
6. Usage
7. Abbreviations and acronyms
8. Subject (these include highly specialized words)

9. Foreign languages
10. Crossword (arranged by the number of letters in a word, or by the definition)
11. Obsolete words
12. New words
13. Names
14. Quotations
15. Rhyming
Uses of Dictionaries
Dictionaries are likely to include the following details about a word:
• spelling—with preferred variants
• syllabication—division into units of pronunciation
• pronunciation—the way the word is spoken
• part of speech—verb, noun, adverb, etc.
• etymology—origin of the word
• definition—the exact meaning
• synonyms—a word or phrase meaning exactly or nearly the same
• antonyms—a word or phrase opposite in meaning
• illustrative quotations—to show how a word is used
• usage labels— slang or obsolete notation
• abbreviations—as appropriate
• illustrations—pictures or diagrams.
Dictionaries are used in a reference section to check the meaning, pronunciation, and spelling of
words. They may be used as a guide to correct grammar, to find out usage of words, or to explain
the origin of a word. Dictionaries are useful in preparing a literature search or answering a
reference question on an unfamiliar subject.
Additional Features Found in Dictionaries

Dictionaries may include additional features including the following:
• biographical names
• foreign words and phrases
• forms of address
• geographical names
• signs and symbols
Editorial Approaches
There are two approaches to editing a dictionary.
• prescriptive—lays down correct standards of word acceptability and usage. The editors must
follow tradition and prevent contamination of the pure language by jargon.
• descriptive—records words as they are used (and misused) without passing judgment. A
particular word used often enough becomes acceptable. Webster’s third new international
dictionary, first published in 1961, changed the approach from prescriptive to descriptive.
Descriptive is the more common and modern approach. When illustrating the definition of a
word, the editors use quotes not only from “good” literature but also from newspapers, television
and speeches.
Examining a Dictionary
Most people who consult a dictionary never read its instructions on use. Examine all sections of a
dictionary to use it fully and efficiently. Dictionaries usually include the following features:
• preface—stating the scope of the publication as well as its purpose
• abbreviations—list of abbreviations used in the body
• pronunciation—key using the phonetic alphabet or re-spelling the words using the ordinary
alphabet
• body—alphabetical sequence of words. Occasionally in classified order. Alphabetizing may be
word-by-word or letter-by-letter. The content of entries gives information such as origin,
history, and usage.
• appendices—supplementary sequence of words to update the main sequence or deal with
special categories of words such as meanings of first names. Some dictionaries include
encyclopedic information such as weights and measures, lists of royalty, or chemical
compounds.
Evaluating a Dictionary
Consider the following to determine if the dictionary will suit the needs of users:
• authority—Authority is determined by the reputation of the compiler and the publisher.
Major publishers of dictionaries include Gage (Canada), Harcourt Brace, HarperCollins,
Houghton Mifflin, Macmillan, Merriam Webster, Oxford University Press, Random House
and World Book.
• ease of use—A good dictionary includes clear introductory information on its purpose, scope
and features, as well as keys to abbreviations and pronunciation. Format is important.
• word coverage—The word coverage may be limited because it is impossible for a general
dictionary to be comprehensive without becoming excessively large. A dictionary needs
regular updating to include new words and changes in usage.
• word treatment—It is important to know how a dictionary treats its words. Does it give
etymology, quotations, and illustrations? The definitions must be clear and accurate. The
dictionary should be up-to-date.
Selecting a Dictionary
When selecting a dictionary for use:
• Listen to the question—Look for keywords to help determine the source to use, e.g., the
question “Who said “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.’?” would lead you to a dictionary
of quotations.
• Clarify the required information—Does the patron want a meaning of a word or its origin?
Rephrase the question as you understand it.
• Determine the best source—Find the answer and relay to the user.
When selecting a dictionary for purchase it may be useful to consult a buying guide such as
Encyclopedias, atlases and dictionaries, Kisler’s Best dictionaries for adults and young people, or
Branda’s Which dictionary?
E XER CISE 3.2 - S P ELLIN G

Use a general-purpose dictionary such as the Concise Oxford dictionary or Webster’s third new
international dictionary. Decide which word in the following pairs is spelled correctly. Circle the
correct answer.
grafitti graffiti anomaly anomoly

diptheria diphtheria accommodate accomodate
proceed procede receive recieve
concensus consensus rhythym rhythm
commitment committment preceeding preceding
E XER CISE 3.3 - D E FI NI TIO N S

Choose three of the following words and compare their definitions in three different dictionaries.
fierce patch
stalwart doll
retire combine
nick case
inhale fantastic
1.
2.
3.
E XER CISE 3.4 - I N TE RN ET D ICTI ON ARI ES

Search the Internet to find a range of dictionaries. Choose five subject-specific dictionaries and write
the titles below. Indicate any special features.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
E XER CISE 3.5 - D I CTIO NA RY AN D W OR D B OO K E X AM PLES

Choose examples of dictionaries and word books in print or electronic form from the list below or
from works you find on your own. Fill in the details for five titles. Select a variety of types.
• Acronyms, initialisms and abbreviations dictionary

• American heritage dictionary
• Bartlett’s familiar quotations
• Black’s law dictionary
• Brewer’s dictionary of phrase and fable
• Dictionary of American regional English
• Fowler’s modern English usage
• Macmillan dictionary for children
• Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary
• MLA handbooks for writers of research papers
• New Oxford American dictionary
• Oxford English dictionary
• Random House dictionary of the American language
• Random House historical dictionary of American slang
• Roget’s international thesaurus
• Shorter Oxford English dictionary
• Webster’s third new international dictionary
1. Title
Place, publisher, date
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
2. Title
Intended user group

Arrangement
Special features
3. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
4. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
5. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
E XER CISE 3.6 – T YPE S OF Q UE ST IO NS

Using familiar sources, suggest a type of dictionary likely to provide the answers to the following
questions, e.g., a medical dictionary. It is not necessary to give the exact title or bibliographic details.
1. What is herpetology?
2. What does the term opacate mean?
3. What is the origin of the phrase ‘son of a gun’?
4. What does the slang term “buy the farm” mean?
5. What is the meaning of the medical term axilla?
6. What is the difference between elemental and elementary? How should these words be used?
7. Can you find a synonym for the word habitual?
8. What does the acronym NATO stand for?

9. What is the origin of the word penguin?
10. What does the scientific term ‘inertial damping’ mean?
11. I am looking for a word with a meaning similar to peaceful.
12. When was the word lurch first used?
13. What is a New York cut?
14. “Double nickel” is used in American slang. What does it mean?
15. What does the abbreviation J.X. stand for?
16. What is the Spanish word for handkerchief?
17. When would I use the word prescribe instead of proscribe?
18. Who said ‘a man will turn over half a library to make one book’?
19. I am in a hurry and need a definition of the word incorrigible.
20. Where are the metatarsal bones located in the human body?
E XERCISE 3.7 - D ICTIONARY AND O THER W ORD B OOK Q UESTIONS

Find the answer to these questions using a dictionary or word book. Name the source.
1. Can you find a synonym for the word intellect?
2. What does solar plexus mean?
3. When was the word break-neck first used?
4. What color is American beauty?
5. What does the slang term “fried” mean?
6. Find examples of how the word son-in-law was used in the 1800s.
7. When would I use the term imaginary instead of imaginative?
8. What is the scientific instrument called an integrating meter?
9. What does the acronym FERPA stand for?
10. What is a pea jacket?

11. What is a Lincoln rocker, which was named after the U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln?
12. Can you find a word with a meaning similar to ascent?
13. What is the recommended plural for bureau?
14. What is gamboge?
15. Find a word for tomorrow in two other languages.
16. What does the expression “on the never-never” mean?
17. What is the French word for laugh?
18. What is the meaning of the medical term coryza?
19. Who was described in the quote ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’?
20. Who was the term luddites named for?

Chapter 4
ENC YCLOPEDIA S
Introduction
An encyclopedia is a systematic summary of all significant knowledge or a summary of the
knowledge on one subject. All encyclopedias are selective to some extent; they may be in a single
volume or a multi-volume set. A single volume cannot give depth of coverage, but it is useful for
factual information and less expensive than a multi-volume set. When using an encyclopedia
always read the introduction to find out the strengths and features as well as how the information
is organized.
Along with dictionaries, encyclopedias are the most frequently consulted reference tools. The
primary use is to search for specific facts; i.e., to answer who, what, where, when and how. They
are often the first step toward a more extended search.
General encyclopedias are usually classified together. Libraries using the Dewey Decimal
Classification (DDC) shelve general encyclopedias in 030 whereas those using Library of
Congress Classification (LCC) place them in AE. Subject encyclopedias are classified by subject
and are dispersed throughout the reference collection.
A standard subdivision from the LCSH is Encyclopedias and Dictionaries or Encyclopedias or

Dictionaries to be used with subjects, e.g., Economics—Encyclopedias and Dictionaries.
Libraries usually replace general print encyclopedias every five years. Libraries with several titles
ideally rotate the years so that one new encyclopedia is purchased each year. Electronic
encyclopedias provide an alternate format.
Characteristics
Encyclopedias provide background information, and are not intended for the subject specialist.
Articles are written by subject experts and adapted by editorial staff. Articles signed by the
contributors are more likely to be authoritative. Most articles include a bibliography listing
further reading. Most encyclopedias adopt a policy of continuous revision. Approximately 10-
15% of the content is updated annually. Topics involving current events are updated more
frequently. Some publishers issue yearbooks to update the main sequence, or supplements for
particular regions. It is important to keep encyclopedias current.
Most multi-volume general encyclopedias in English are now published in the United States
(U.S.), which has lower production costs and a larger market than the United Kingdom (U.K.).
Encyclopedias published in the U.K., such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica, are spelled with
British (Canadian, and Australian) form, i.e., encyclopaedia.
55
Uses
An encyclopedia may be used to provide the following information:
• brief factual details where there is little controversy
• an introduction to or an overview of a topic for the novice
• referral to more detailed works through a bibliography at the end of the article
An encyclopedia is often the first source used by those seeking factual information. When the
required information is not contained in the encyclopedia, the list of readings may lead to other
sources.
E XER CISE 4.1 – T Y PE S OF E N CY CLOP E DIA

Find an example of each of the following types of encyclopedias and list the titles below.
1. General
2. Subject
3. National
4. Foreign language
Electronic Encyclopedias
Many encyclopedias are now available on CD-ROM or the Internet. Electronic formats can
enhance the contents by adding animation and sound effects. By using hypertext they also permit
easy cross-referencing: a reader clicks on an indicated word to find further information.
In selecting and evaluating an encyclopedia—electronic as well as print—consider the following:

• Is the encyclopedia based on a printed version, even if it has a different name?
• Is the information up-to-date?
• Are the pictures and sounds relevant to the particular article?
• Is the name of the contributor given?
• Is there a bibliography or further reading?
• Is the information easy to find?
Every encyclopedia is designed for a particular audience, so it is also important to decide whether
it is suitable for your particular client. World Book Encyclopedia (fee-based and online), for
example, is designed for use by school children from kindergarten to grade 12, and encourages
parents and teachers to share in the research and study.
Chapter 4 ENCYCLOPEDIAS 57
Wikipedia
The electronic encyclopedia that is most often consulted is Wikipedia, (www.wikipedia.org),
which differs from other reference tools in significant ways. Wiki is a Hawaiian word meaning
quick. Anyone can contribute material to Wikipedia, and it has grown swiftly to over six million
entries in many languages since it was created in 2001, adding about 1500 new articles every day.
A new entry is often written by an enthusiast rather than an expert, so new articles can be
inaccurate. But because so many people use and contribute to Wikipedia, errors can be identified
and repaired promptly.
When the science journal Nature conducted a blind test of scientific articles in Wikipedia and the
online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica4, they found more errors in Wikipedia, but the
difference between the two was “not particularly great.” Wikipedia contributors do reach
consensus in a dispute—often quickly, but sometimes slowly—so a new article can include
serious errors or bias. Since there is no central control over the selection of topics. Wikipedia can
overlook important issues, or treat them too briefly. Again because style is not imposed, the
quality of the writing varies. The creators of Wikipedia are aware of these defects, and are
addressing them. Like the articles in it, Wikipedia itself is a work in progress.
E XER CISE 4.2 - S UBJE CT -S P E CI FI C E N CY CLO PE DIA E XA MP LE S

Browse the reference shelves in a library. Find five examples of subject-specific encyclopedias and
list the titles below.
•
4
“Internet encyclopaedias go head to head”, news@nature.com at
www.nature.com/news/2005/051212/full/438900a.html
E XER CISE 4.3 – C O MPA RI NG E N CY CLOP E DI AS

Choose two of the topics listed below and compare entries in some print and online encyclopedias,
e.g.,
• print and online versions of Encyclopaedia Britannica
• print and online versions of World Book Encyclopedia
• Wikipedia.
Consider:
• How large is the article?
• Are there links to other topics?
• When was the article written?
• Who wrote it?
• What sort of reader is it written for?
Architecture Pompeii
Mexico City Sikhs
The Red Cross Jane Austen
Trombones Halley’s Comet
Albert Einstein Weightlifting
Topic 1:
Encyclopedia 1
Encyclopedia 2
Encyclopedia 3
Wikipedia
Topic 2:
Encyclopedia 1
Encyclopedia 2
Encyclopedia 3
Wikipedia
Which Encyclopedia?
When selecting an encyclopedia to use:
• Consider the question carefully and decide if the information is likely to be in a general or a
subject-specific encyclopedia.
• Determine how much information is required. Some questions will be answered adequately
in a general single-volume encyclopedia (e.g., Where was Alexander the Great born?) If the
patron asked for a list of campaigns in which Alexander fought and a description of the major
battles including maps of the battlefields, a more detailed encyclopedia such as Encyclopaedia
Britannica may be required.
• Decide whether the question indicates a particular subject or country. For example, if the
patron wants information on a technical topic, a scientific encyclopedia rather than a general
encyclopedia would be more appropriate.
• Think about how recent the information is. A current affairs question is more likely to be
addressed online than in print.
E XER CISE 4.4 - I N TE R NE T E N CY CLOPE DI AS

Search the Internet to find a range of encyclopedias. Write the titles and brief notes for five
encyclopedias below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
E XER CISE 4.5 - E XA MP LE S OF E N CY CLO PE DI A

Choose examples of encyclopedias in print or electronic form from the list below or select your own.
Fill in the details for five titles.
• Canadian encyclopedia
• Compton’s encyclopedia
• Concise Columbia electronic encyclopedia
• Dictionary of art
• Encarta
• Encyclopedia Americana (internet)
• Encyclopedia of library & information science
• Encyclopedia of religion
• Gale’s encyclopedia of multicultural America
• Grzimek’s animal life
• Grolier’s encyclopedia
• International encyclopedia of the social sciences
• McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology
• New book of knowledge
• The new Encyclopaedia Britannica (print)
• World book encyclopedia
1. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
2. Title
Intended user group

Arrangement
Special features
3. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
4. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
5. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
E XER CISE 4.6 - T YPE S OF E N CY CLOP E DIA

Using familiar resources suggest a t yp e of encyclopedia likely to provide the answers to the
following questions, e.g., a general encyclopedia. (It is not necessary to give the exact title or
bibliographic details.)
1. Who was Eugene Ysaye?
2. My fifth-grade child wants some information on flags of the world.
3. When was the Shakespeare Company established?
4. Where is Sherbrooke located and what two rivers meet at the city?
5. Who wrote the American national anthem “The Star-Spangled banner”?
6. I am writing an essay on nuclear structure and need some information on this topic.
7. I would like a complete list of the works written by Charles Dickens
8. Can you find some illustrations of battles fought during the American Civil War?
9. How do fluorescent lights work?
10. What was the PEI Land Question?
11. Where is Amritsar and what is it famous for?
12. My child is very interested in elephants and would like some background reading on this topic.
13. When was television first seen in the United States?
14. A graduate student is writing a thesis on the family in society and would like to find detailed
information on this topic, including a bibliography of relevant publications.
15. Who was Rehoboam?
16. I would like read a major book or article about the history of museums.
17. What does a gorilla eat?

18. Could you find some detailed information on nuclear reactors?
19. Why did the United States enter World War II?
20. Where would I find some information on Henry Savery, author of the first novel written, printed
and published in Australia?
E XER CISE 4.7 - U S IN G E N CY CLOPE DI AS

Find the answer to these questions using encyclopedias. Name the source and give the bibliographic
details.
1. Why is Amy Johnson famous?
2. I want some information on Alaskan folklore.
3. Sir Alexander Fleming won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1945. Who shared the prize with
him?
4. Where is Ndola?
5. I would like to find a list of works written by John Locke, the English philosopher and political
theorist.
6. Where can I find some information on the United States Postal Service?
7. I am about to start my thesis on East Asian arts and would like some background information.
8. My primary school child needs some information on the Olympic Games.
9. Where can I find an encyclopedia article on metadata and the World Wide Web?
10. What is the French name for the city Aachen?
11. Where can I find information on a French family of artists named Corneille?
12. I need some detailed information on Greek and Roman civilizations.

13. What is the history of middle schools in the United States?
14. Does your library have any information on the theory of social control?
15. Where would I find detailed information on rocket propulsion?
16. What was the title of Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s autobiography?
17. Why was the Statue of Liberty built?
18. I need background information on bone marrow.
19. What is the population of Iowa’s principal cities?
20. Where would I find a comprehensive list of books on linguistics?

Chapter 5
FA ST FACTS:
ALMANACS, HANDBOOKS, MANUALS, YEARBOOKS
Introduction
Almanacs, handbooks, manuals, yearbooks and other resources contain miscellaneous facts, and
are used to answer ready reference questions. These sources frequently duplicate information
found elsewhere, but the arrangement facilitates speedy access to the information.
Although they vary in layout and content, most have the following points in common:
• Information is presented in abbreviated form, with an emphasis on statistical information.
• The arrangement reflects the specific purpose and intended use. It may be alphabetical,
chronological or topical.
• Extensive indexes enhance the work.
Yearbooks may be classified by subject if they are specific, with the original work if they are
updates, or with general almanacs if they are generic. General almanacs are classified in 000s
(DDC) or AY (LCC). Technically, an almanac is a type of yearbook. Handbooks and manuals
are most often subject-specific and are classified by the subject they address.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) subject headings are available for each of the
following: Yearbook, Almanacs, Manuals, and Calendars. Access may also be provided using
LCSH standard subdivisions, such as Chemistry—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Alma nacs
An almanac is an annual calendar with astronomical information and other data, a miscellany of
useful facts and statistical information. Almanacs compress a wealth of facts and figures, both
current and retrospective, into one volume. Information is often presented in condensed form in
lists or tables. The more detailed almanacs include citations to the original sources, and some may
include longer, signed articles covering particularly newsworthy developments such as wars and
elections. Examples include:
Canadian almanac
Times almanac with Information please
World almanac
Almanacs were originally calendars of months and days including special dates and anniversaries,
forecasts of weather, and astronomical calculations. They now include more miscellaneous facts,
and cover similar subjects to yearbooks.
69
Handbooks
A handbook is a concise ready reference source of information for a particular field of knowledge.
Handbooks treat broad subjects in a brief fashion and may be a useful source of information on a
field of knowledge such as science, or an occupational area such as librarianship. Examples
include
Barron’s finance and investment handbook
Occupational outlook handbook
Physicians desk reference
Manuals
A manual is a book of instruction on doing, making or performing something. They cover a wide
range of subjects including first aid, car maintenance, or how to run meetings. For example,
Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy
Robert’s Rules of order (a manual of parliamentary procedure)
Yearbooks
A yearbook is an annual publication containing current information in brief, descriptive and/or
statistical form.
Yearbooks fit into the following types, based on their purpose:

• encyclopedia supplements—published once a year to update the main body of the
encyclopedia
• subject area summaries—indicating recent developments
Europa world year book
Yearbook of technology and education
• general yearbooks—including almanacs, providing miscellaneous facts
World almanac
• subject-specific resources—for a particular trade or profession
Bowker annual library and book trade almanac
• statistical information—relating to one or more countries. The tables of statistics often cover
a longer time span than one year, and are useful for making comparisons
Statesman’s year-book
Statistical abstract of the United States
News Summari es
News summaries are weekly or monthly loose-leaf digests of news events, designed for storage in
binders in chronological order. These summaries are updated and cumulated at regular intervals
and include detailed indexes. Most are also available online. Examples include Facts on file and
Keesing’s record of world events. By providing access to the date of an event such as a major
earthquake, hurricane, or more specifically, the death of Princess Diana, news articles can be
found in any paper covering the event.
Chapter 5 FAST FACTS 71
Other Miscellaneou s Tools

There are a number of other “fast fact” resources used for ready reference questions. Examples
include:
• Chase’s Calendar of events—facts and events arranged by calendar date
• Consumer reports—buying guide; monthly subscription
• Emily Post’s Etiquette—manners, customs, acceptable behavior
• Guinness book of world records—records of natural and human phenomena (online at
www.guinnessworldrecords.com/)
• Kelley blue book—pricing for new and used cars (online at www.kbb.com)
E XER CISE 5.1 – E XA MP LE S OF F A ST F A CT R ES O UR CES

Choose examples of yearbooks, handbooks, almanacs and manuals from the list below. Fill in the
details for five titles.
• American book of days

• Bowker annual; library and book trade almanac
• Cambridge factfinder
• Canadian almanac and directory
• Daily almanac
• Emily Post’s etiquette
• Europa world year book
• Famous first facts
• Guinness book of records
• Information please almanac
• Merck manual
• Occupational outlook handbook
• Statesman’s yearbook
• Times almanac with information please
• USA and Canada
• Whitaker’s almanack
• World almanac
1. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
2. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
3. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
4. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
5. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
E XER CISE 5.2 – T YP ES OF F AS T F A CT R E SO UR CE S

Using familiar sources suggest a t ype of yearbook, handbook, almanac or manual likely to provide
the answers to the following questions, e.g., an international statistical yearbook. (It is not necessary
to give the exact title or bibliographic details.)
1. How many dentists are there in the United States?
2. Where can I find names of the current administration of Honduras?
3. What are the functions of the World Health Organization?
4. What is the currency used in Guyana?
5. Where can I find names and addresses for all of the trade unions in Poland?
6. What are the principal crops grown in Portugal?

7. Where would I find some information on political organizations in Korea?
8. I’d like an overview of international organizations. Where can I find one?
9. I need contact information for diplomatic representatives (embassies) in Spain. Where can I
find a list?
10. What is the address of the Bank of England in London?
11. Where can I find a chronology of Canada since colonization?
12. Who is the ruler of Saudi Arabia?
13. Has the birth rate of Ireland gone up or down in the past five years?
14. I need a list of major Greek and Roman gods and goddesses of the classical world. Where can I
find it?
15. Where would I find advice on how to use gender-inclusive language?
16. Who was the King of England in 1770?
17. What are the principal towns in Malaysia?
18. Where would I find a list of the Seven Wonders of the World?
19. I want some statistics on births, marriages and deaths in Italy.
20. What are the names of the main islands of Japan?

E XER CISE 5.3 - F AS T F A CT Q UES TIO N S

Find the answer to the following questions using yearbooks, handbooks, almanacs and manuals.
Name the source and give the bibliographic details.
1. Where can I find the national holidays of Germany for the next calendar year?
2. Where is the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) located?
3. What are the principal crops grown in Singapore?
4. Where would I find information on the history of Tonga?
5. I need to know principal crops of Oman with statistical data for more than one year.
6. How many kilometers of road are there in Malta?
7. What is the address of the Indonesia Tourist Promotion Board?
8. When should I use an apostrophe when writing a report?
9. What is the national anthem of Japan?
10. Where would I find a list of the world’s longest bridges?

11. What minerals are produced in Ethiopia?
12. Where would I find some information on the Western Christian calendar?
13. Where can I find a perpetual calendar?
14. Where have major earthquakes in the world been located?
15. Where would I find a list of symbols used when proofreading a manuscript?
16. Who is the President of Guatemala?
17. Who invented the ferris wheel and when was it first erected?
18. Where can I find a list of the Best Books for Young Adults?
19. Where can I find directions for obtaining an International Standard Book Number (ISBN)?
20. I need Academy Award winning movies and actors for the past five years. Where can I find that
information?
Chapter 6
BIOGRAPHICAL SOU RCES
Introduction
Biographical sources contain information about the lives of people, usually arranged
alphabetically by surname. They may include details of a person’s full name, gender, date and
place of birth, a summary of their achievements, details about their personal life, memberships,
employment history, publications, offices, positions held, honors, awards, and contact details.
Some sources include pronunciations of names, portraits or photographs, and bibliographies
leading to more detailed information.
These sources, usually called biographical dictionaries, may be classified according to

• country
• gender
• race
• occupation or profession
• living or retrospective subjects.
General biographical reference works are likely to be classified in the 920s for libraries using the
Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and CTs for those using the Library of Congress
Classification (LCC). Subject-specific biographical materials are usually classified by subject. In
circulating collections using DDC, collective biography (works covering more than one person) is
usually in the 920s and individual biography with the subject or occupation of the person. A few
years ago it was more common for libraries to keep all biographies together in the biography
section and simply classify them with a “B”, “Bio”, or 92, and then arrange them alphabetically
by the person’s last name; e.g., all biographies about Abraham Lincoln would be shelved together.
Practice varies depending on the needs of users.
Library of Congress subject headings (LCSH) recommends Biography as a subheading for groups of
people such as Artists—Biography; Canada—Biography.
Biogra phi cal Questions

Requests for biographical information are frequently received by library staff. It may be necessary
to question a user to find out what is already known about the person, e.g., their nationality,
profession, and living or deceased status.
To find more information ask the patron for more detail, or use
• the catalog
• biographical sources such as Biography index or Current biography
• periodical indexes, e.g., Reader’s guide to periodical literature or Art index
• biographical information written by the person (autobiography) or written about that person
(biography)
77
Types of Biographical Sources

Universal or International—These include entries for people from all countries, and may be
limited to notable public figures rather than sports personalities or film stars. They may include
Biblical, mythological, or legendary people, living and/or deceased people. Examples include
International who’s who
Chambers biographical dictionary
National or Regional—These resources include entries for people from particular countries,
states or local areas. Examples for living subjects include
Who’s who (British)
Canadian who’s who
Who’s who in America
Examples of deceased (retrospective) subjects include

Who was who (British)
Who was who in America
Subject, Occupation or Special Characteristic—These resources concentrate on a particular

subject (e.g., science), occupation (e.g., medicine), or special characteristic such as gender.
Focused resources may be more comprehensive.
Who’s who of American women
How Information is Collected

Publishers may rely on historians or subject experts to collect and verify information using
primary sources. They may send questionnaires to the people they want to include in their
source, and ask them to fill in the details. It is important to check the authority of a publisher,
and avoid vanity publications where purchase of the work is a condition of being included.
Which Biographical Source?

When deciding which biographical source to use:
• Listen to or read the question carefully. Is the person alive? The Who’s whos include the living,
whereas a title such as Who was who includes only deceased subjects. The titles of biographical
reference materials often indicate the coverage. Who’s who and Who was who are British; Who’s
who in America and Who was who in America are American.
• Determine the nationality or the profession of the person to narrow the search.
• Identify the type of information needed such as brief facts, an essay, current or retrospective
periodical articles about the person, or a whole book.
Other Sources
• Biographical information can also be found in other sources such as
• dictionaries with special biographical lists
• almanacs
• newspaper obituaries
• encyclopedias
These other sources of biographical information may not be current, or provide the depth of
information that can be found in biographical dictionaries.
Chapter 6 BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES 79
E XER CISE 6.1 – C OMP AR IN G B I OG RAP HI CA L S O UR CE S

Choose two well-known living people and look up their details in two biographical sources, e.g.,
Who’s who in America and International who’s who. Compare the entries.
1.
2.
E XER CISE 6.2 - B IO GR APHI CA L S O UR CE S ON TH E I NTE R NE T

Search the Internet to find a range of biographical sources. Answer the following questions using
biographical sources on the Internet.
1. Can you search by profession, such as dentists?
2. What is Elle MacPherson’s real name?
3. Who was the French female artist born in 1822?
4. Which mountaineer wrote the autobiography titled Nothing venture, nothing win?
E XER CISE 6.3 – E X AMI NI NG B IO GR AP HI CA L S O UR CE S

Choose examples of biographical sources from the list below. Fill in the details for five.
• American national biography

• Biography and genealogy master index
• Biography index
• Biography resource center
• Canadian who’s who
• Chambers biographical dictionary
• Current biography
• Dictionary of American biography
• Dictionary of national biography
• Dictionary of world biography
• Encyclopedia of world biography
• International who’s who
• Merriam Webster’s biographical dictionary
• Webster’s new biographical dictionary
• Who was who in America
• Who’s who
• Who’s who in America
• Who’s who in the twentieth century
1. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
2. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
3. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
4. Title
Intended user group

Arrangement
Special features
5. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
E XER CISE 6.4 – T Y PES OF B IOG RA PHI CAL S OUR CE S

Using familiar sources suggest a t ype of biographical source likely to provide the answers to the
following questions, e.g., an American biographical dictionary of the living. It is not necessary to give
the exact title or bibliographic details.
1. I need a list of films directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the American film writer and director.
2. When did Samuel L. Katz, American professor of pediatrics, serve as instructor in pediatrics at
Harvard Medical School?
3. Kenmore Mathew McManes, a U.S. Naval officer died in the 1970s. Where is he buried?
4. Who was Guy Fawkes?
5. Where was Pope John Paul II born?
6. Where would I find out how to pronounce the name Hamerik, a 19th to early 20th century
Danish composer?
7. When did Queen Elizabeth II succeed her father King George VI to the throne?
8. When is Tom Brokow’s birthday and where was he born?
9. When was Harrison Ford, the American actor born?
10. I need information about the British Royal Family. Where can I find it?
11. In what year did Hillary Rodham Clinton receive the Humanitarian Award from the Alzheimer’s
Association?
12. What is Walter Rudolf Hess known for?
13. When was Rasputin assassinated?
14. Has Andre Agassi, the tennis player, won at Wimbledon?
15. Jack McGraw, retired EPA administrator, is an ordained minister in what church?
16. In what year did Ulysses S. Grant become a general?
17. When did Rudyard Kipling die?

18. When is the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s birthday?
19. Where was Horatio Nelson, the English naval commander, buried?
20. Where can I find background information on the actor Toby Maguire?
E XER CISE 6.5 - B IO GR AP HI CA L Q UE STI O N S

Find the answer to the following questions using biographical sources. Name the source.
1. When did Christopher Columbus first reach the New World?
2. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French Canadian prime minister. What years did he serve in the
Assembly of Quebec?
3. When did Martina Navratilova move to the United States?
4. What is Elton John’s middle name?
5. Where would I find some information on Peggy Fleming, the United States skater?
6. What are the birth and death years for Jean Baptiste Pigalle, an 18th century French sculptor?
7. Who made the first ascent of Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary?
8. Does Judi Dench, the English actress, have any hobbies?
9. A student needs information including birth and death dates for John Sedgwick Hyde, an early
American shipbuilder.
10. Who was Nicolas Copernicus?
11. Was Germaine Greer born in Sydney or Melbourne?
12. Which university did Stephen King, the American author, attend?
13. When and where was Beethoven born?
14. What is the title of the first film made by François Truffaut, the French film director, who died in
1984?
15. Canadian Arthur Willongton Ross was admitted to the bar in 1878. How was that accomplished?
16. Where was the actress Penelope Cruz born? What was her father’s occupation?
17. Where would I find some information on Dizzy Gillespie, the American jazz trumpeter and
composer, who lived from 1917-1993?
18. Where was Edith Mathis, the Swiss opera singer, born?
19. Where did George Cadbury, the English manufacturer and social reformer, set up his chocolate
factory in 1879?
20. Where did May Hill Arbuthnot receive her education?

Chapter 7
GEOGRAPHICA L SOU RCES
Introduction
General reference librarians use various types of geographical sources to locate information about
places, including towns, cities, villages, rivers, mountains, and lakes. A basic understanding of
concepts related to globes, maps, atlases, and gazetteers is useful. Mary Lynette Larsgaard devotes
a full chapter to reference services in her text Map librarianship. Basic concepts include such
terms as scale, resolution (digital maps), projection, and grid. Political changes require frequent
changes to maps and gazetteers.
Geographical resources in public, school, and other libraries using the Dewey Decimal
Classification place items in the 910s. Academic, special, and other libraries using the Library of
Congress Classification put geographical materials in the “G” section. This provides a memory
aid for materials related to geographical locations.
Library of Congress Subject Headings contain a form subheading Maps, e.g., Canada—Maps; as
well as qualified subjects such as Atlases, Canadian.
Geographica l Ref erence Qu esti ons

Examples of types of reference questions requiring the use of geographical tools include some of
the following.
• map of a specific area
• current or historical information on a specific subject—e.g., old landfill sites
• thematic maps or atlases related to a specific topic—e.g., vegetation, minerals, population
• methodology, technology, or history related to spatial data
• interpretation of information—e.g., was the “Silk Road” one route or many?
• interlibrary loan service.
87
Types of Geographic Sources

Atlases—An atlas is a collection of maps and related information, usually in book form. They
include indexes, similar to but not as detailed as a gazetteer, to help the user find information.
Examples of types of atlases include international, national, regional, economic, historical, and
road or street directories.
General Atlases
Times atlas of the world
New international world atlas
National Geographic atlas of the world
Historical Atlases
Shepherd’s historical atlas
Cartographica extraordinaire: the historical map transformed (also online at
www.davidrumsey.com)
History of cartography gateway (www.maphistory.info)
Library of Congress American Memory Collection
(lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html)
Road/Street Directories
Local telephone directories
Mapquest (www.mapquest.com)
Rand McNally Road Atlas (www.randmcnally.com)
Student Atlases
Goode’s world atlas
Hammond citation world atlas
Oxford new concise world atlas
National Geographic concise atlas of the world
Children’s Atlases
National Geographic world atlas for young explorers
Reader’s Digest children’s atlas of the world
Thematic Atlases
Oxford new historical atlas of religion in America
Rand McNally commercial atlas and marketing guide
Digital Atlases
The atlas of Canada (atlas.gc.ca)
Gazetteers—These are geographical dictionaries listing places and their locations. Gazetteers
provide factual information about places. Recent editions describe the place as it is now, and
older editions provide historical information. Entries in a gazetteer may include pronunciation,
location, area, population, geographical description, physical description, and historical data.
Print
Merriam Webster’s geographical dictionary
Columbia gazetteer of the world (also online—see below)
Online
Columbia gazetteer of the world (www.columbiagazetteer.org)
Getty thesaurus of geographic names online (www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/tgn)
Maps—Individual maps indicate elements of the three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional

surface. There are many types of maps including:
• aerial—a map made from photographs taken from above the earth or other planet; usually
taken from an aircraft, satellite, or space vehicle
• aeronautical map or chart—a topographic map with specific navigation information for
aircraft pilots. These are legal documents
Chapter 7 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES 89
• astronomical map—a map of planets, stars and other heavenly bodies; synonymous with star
map
• bathymetric chart—a topographic map of the sea floor
• bird’s-eye-view—a drawing, as if seen from above, usually of a cityscape
• cadastral map—a map to describe real estate properties for tax assessments
• cartogram—a simple map which may be altered to illustrate a point
• celestial map or chart—a map of the sky for astronomers and stargazers
• chart—a map designed for navigation, meteorology, or heavenly bodies
• choropleth map—a map with color or shading to indicate density for elements such as
population or precipitation
• city map—a detailed map showing roads, hospitals, schools, parks, and other major features
within a city
• contour map—a topographic map of land showing relief with brown lines connecting points
of equal elevation. A bathymetric map shows the same for a sea floor
• dynamic map, flow map—indicates movement such as migration, battle, weather;
synonymous with flow map
• geologic map—gives detailed geologic information such as rocks, type, fault lines, mineral
deposits
• historical map—shows historical events such as battles, changing boundaries, agricultural
evolution, population shifts. The Library of Congress historical map collection
(www.memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html) has good examples
• hydrologic map—elements related to water, its sources, movements, etc.
• index map—a map indicating the geographic coverage of a set of more detailed maps
• inset map—a map within a map; a small map printed inside the borders of a larger map to
show greater detail of a specific area. Similar to an ancillary map printed outside the borders
of the larger map
• interactive map—a digital map allowing users to select a specific spot to link to a more
detailed presentation
• multimedia map—a map from an electronic source including audio, video or animation such
as National Geographic (www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld)
• nautical map or chart—indicates ocean or sea features such as coastlines, currents, etc. to aid
maritime navigation. These are legal documents
• photomap—an aerial photograph often overlaid by information such as road networks
• pictorial map—a map with symbols or small pictorial drawings to indicate particular features.
The map legend indicates the meaning of the symbols
• planimetric map—a map showing horizontal planes with no indication of elevations.
Contrast to relief map
• political—a map showing the political boundaries of countries, states, and counties or other
local divisions; generally including names of capital cities, county seats, or other major
political sites
• relief map—a relief map indicates the elevations by showing contour lines (see also contour
map) on a flat surface. Relief maps are available from the USGS (United States Geological
Survey). A relief model is three-dimensional, and indicates topographical features
• road map—a road map shows the locations of roads, highways, and distances between towns
and cities. Most states provide free road maps
• star map—a map of planets, stars and other heavenly bodies. Synonymous with astronomical
map
• thematic map—a map highlighting specific characteristics of the area such as rainfall, major
crops, language, religion, or population
• topographic map—a relief map showing the features by the use of contour lines; sometimes
called a topographic sheet
Census Information—Maps and other geographical information are available to the public at
www.census.gov/ and www12.statcan.ca/english/census/
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)—are sophisticated mapping tools used to create maps
and manipulate spatial data. Maps produced by GIS differ from traditional maps by being digital
rather than analog. They are made up of differing layers of data depending on purpose, e.g., fire
route maps layering streets, postal codes, fire hydrant locations. These maps are the basis of
navigation systems now used in automobiles.
Place Names—also geographic name. A number of books have been written about the origin of
names for various regions and features. Library of Congress provides information about domestic
and international names at www.lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/geogname.html. The Geographic
Names Information System (GNIS) is a major source for names of physical features such as
mountains, rivers, lakes as well as cities and towns. Books devoted to place names for specific
states or regions may give more detail regarding the names of local streets, parks, schools, and
other features. City government offices should have records for names of streets and parks while
school districts should provide information on the history behind the naming of schools.
Travel Guides—Public libraries have many requests for travel guides. There are a number of
series appropriate for libraries. Often libraries will place a standing order (automatic) for travel
guides so that the latest one will be available as soon as it is published. There are online resources
for travelers for most every country, city, or major feature. In addition, there are numerous travel
sites including Virtual Tourist (www.virtualtourist.com)
Terms Related to Geography and Geographical Resources

There are a number of words related to geographical resources. They include
cartographer—a mapmaker
cartography—mapmaking
cartouche—the equivalent of a title page for a map; the ornamental frame includes the title of the
map, name of cartographer, scale, date and other descriptive elements
globe—a spherical representation of the earth or another celestial body
latitude and longitude—imaginary lines established by convention to represent places on earth
legend—an explanation of the symbols used on a map or diagram
projection—the mathematical formula allowing a flat representation of a spherical surface. There
is always some distortion on a flat map.
Other Sources of Geographical Information

Although maps, gazetteers and atlases are the traditional sources of geographical information, the
following sources are also useful:
• encyclopedias—descriptions of countries, towns, and cities with maps
• yearbooks—name and boundary changes
• dictionaries—brief identification of larger places and pronunciation of geographical terms
and place names
• biographical dictionaries—information on geographers and cartographers
• bibliographies—details of books containing geographical information
• carto-bibliographies—lists of maps giving descriptive information

• periodical indexes—articles on geographical topics
• statistical sources—geographical information in tabular form
Problems of Geographical Sources

• Accuracy—At the time of printing, national boundaries and place names should be accurate,
but this information can become out of date very quickly.
• Uniform treatment of place names—There may be a problem of transliterating non-Roman
alphabets. Many directories follow patterns established by standards bodies.
• Balance—A world atlas may give the most emphasis to maps of the country of publication.
Evaluating Geographical Sources

Consider the following:
• authority of the publisher
• balanced coverage
• clear instructions on use
• explanations of map symbols and projections
• current information
• easy to read maps
• additional information such as tables showing the longest rivers in the world or the highest
mountains.
E XER CISE 7.1 – C O MP ARI NG G A ZE T TEE RS AN D A T LAS ES

Examine two gazetteers. Look at the following features and fill in the details below.
Featu re s Gaz ette er 1 Gaz ette er 2

Title of the gazetteer
Scope
Place, publisher, and date of

publication
Is there an explanation of
information in the entries?
Is the coverage balanced?
Does it include a key to

abbreviations?
Does it include any additional
information?
Is the item easy to use?
Examine two atlases. Look at the following features and fill in the details below.
Featu re s Atlas 1 Atlas 2

Title of atlas
Scope
Place, publisher, and date of

publication
Is there an explanation of how
to use the atlas?
Is the coverage of the world
balanced?
Does it include an explanation
of map symbols and
projections?
Does it include any additional
information, e.g., tables?
Is the atlas easy to use?
E XER CISE 7.2 - G EO GR APH I CA L Q UE STI ON S

Using a gazetteer or atlas from the reference collection, find the country in which the following places
are located. You may need to use more than one source.
1. Parana
2. Fairborn
3. Storvik
4. Strasbourg
5. Malaut
6. Engan
7. Benevento
8. Minyip
9. Mobara
10. Mary’s Harbour
E XER CISE 7.3 – U S IN G G EOG RAP HI CAL S O UR CE S

Answer the following questions indicating the type of map or geographic source you would consult.
1. A library user wants to find directions to the local museum.
2. A teacher is looking for a map to show the rivers and lakes in western United States.
3. A theology student needs a map illustrating the religions of the world.
4. A Cub Scout is needs to identify specific constellations for an astronomy badge.

5. A high school student is looking for a map showing the battles of the Civil War.
6. A senior citizen is trying to locate a village in Germany where his ancestors originated.
7. A middle school student needs to identify rivers and mountains in Brazil for a class project.
8. A student needs to compare the elevations of Denver, Colorado and Mexico City.
9. A grandmother wants to know the origin of the name of the town where she was born.
10. A library user is trying to locate a map of Paris to plan a trip.

Chapter 8
BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND LIBRARY C ATA LOGS
Bibliogra phi es
A bibliography is a list of related materials or resources. Public users often think of bibliographies
as the list of references at the back of a book, a subject-related separate publication, or simply a
page or more of recommended resources. Students think of bibliographies as the list of resources
used that must be included at the end of their formal papers. Librarians use a number of other
types of bibliographies including library catalogs, bibliographic utilities, trade bibliographies, and
national bibliographies.
Bibliography as a LCSH entry can be used alone or as a subheading under subjects, for example,
Football—Bibliography. Bibliographies are classified in Dewey Decimal Classification in 110
and in Library of Congress Classification in the Zs.
Bibliographic Terms
Several terms must be clarified in order to understand bibliographies:
• bibliographic citation—description of the item; elements for books (author, title, place of
publication, publisher, and date); elements for periodical articles (author, article title,
publication name, date, volume, issue, and pages); citation format varies by style manual
• bibliographic control—describing and organizing information items
• bibliographic instruction—instruction in library use
• bibliographic index—a bibliography of bibliographies; a list of bibliographies
• bibliographic utilities—databases providing a service to libraries by sharing catalog
information; they serve as union catalogs with holdings from member libraries
• bibliographic verification—confirming publication facts for an item including author, title,
publisher, place of publication, dates, etc.
Uses of Bibliographies
Bibliographies are consulted for several reasons: selection, identification, verification and location
of materials. Bibliographies may help librarians and researchers by indicating what is available.
Examples include bibliographies on specific subjects, author works, or formats. Identification and
verification are important to librarians, and sometimes to users, to confirm publication details
including the author’s name, complete title, edition, place of publication, publisher, collation,
ISBN, and price. This checking (usually called bibliographic verification) is important for
acquisitions, interlibrary loans, preparing bibliographies for users and other reference work.
Location of materials is important to clients who want to use the materials.
These sources of information are most often in electronic format, as it is less expensive and easier
to update than hard copy print. Many of the databases used for bibliographic verification are
available online.
95
Types of Bibliography
Nat i on al Bibliogra phi es

A national bibliography
• provides a list of publications published in one country or in one language
• includes items received under legal deposit and cataloged by a national agency or by its
authorized agencies
• is usually arranged in classified order with detailed indexes.
Until recently, many countries produced printed national bibliographies used for acquisitions and
cataloging. However, some national bibliographies, e.g., National union catalog of manuscript
collections, Canadiana—are no longer produced in hard copy. National libraries are developing
alternatives to provide access to nationally produced and nationally focused material. Electronic
bibliographies provide many access points, such as author, title, publisher, ISBN, date, and
subject headings.
Uni on Cat alog s

A union catalog shows the holdings of a large number of libraries. School districts, public library
systems, and other related libraries or those with a consortia agreement often merge library
catalog databases to form a union catalog.
Bi bli ogr ap hic Ut ilitie s

Major (and many minor) libraries have for many years contributed information about their
holdings to a central database for utility reasons. These databases originated as a service for
sharing catalog information but have evolved to become union catalogs used for interlibrary loan,
collection development, and reference. These large union catalogs are called bibliographic
utilities. The largest and best known in the United States are OCLC and RLIN.
OCLC (Online Computer Library Center, www.oclc.org) has more than 41,500 members.
OCLC’s WorldCat global library network lists more than one billion holdings. In 2001 OCLC
merged with WLN (Western Library Network), longtime bibliographic utility serving members
primarily in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada, and Australia.
RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network) serves many special library members. RLG
(Research Libraries Group, www.rlg.org) is a not-for-profit membership corporation with more
than 150 universities, national libraries, archives, historical societies, and other institutional
members.
In 2006 OCLC and RLG announced a merger. Integration of RLG resources into OCLC is to
take place by mid-2007. Although bibliographic utilities began as a service to support cataloging,
the resulting product, WorldCat, provides a valuable bibliographic resource for reference and
research.
Li br ary Cata logs

Electronic catalogs for individual libraries, systems, and consortia provide the same type of
bibliographic support but on a smaller scale than the bibliographic utilities. Many library catalogs
(often called OPACs) are accessible via the Internet.
The Library of Congress (catalog.loc.gov) and the British Library (catalogue.bl.uk) are among the
library catalogs now available. In addition, university and state libraries, the libraries of federal
Chapter 8 BIBLIOGRAPHIES & LIBRARY CATALOGS 97
government and many state government departments, and a growing number of public libraries
are online. Most online catalogs are searchable via the World Wide Web.
Most of the bibliographic citation information is available on the catalog record but in some cases
it may be helpful to look at the MARC record. It is common for library catalogs to have a link to
the MARC record. The MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) record is the standard format
used to record the bibliographic characteristics of information items, and is used when cataloging
library materials. To learn more about MARC records see the Library of Congress publication
Understanding MARC (www.loc.gov/marc/umb)
Trade Bibli ogr a phi es

A trade bibliography is intended primarily for book retailers and acquisitions staff in libraries. A
trade bibliography shows which books are available for sale (in print) and gives details needed to
order them. Trade bibliographies should not be treated as authoritative.
Trade bibliographies are produced from information supplied by publishers. Information may
not conform to library cataloging standards. They include inprint works irrespective of the date
of publication. This means they are a good place to start if you do not know the date of
publication.
Each trade bibliography focuses on one form of material—books, periodicals, spoken word
cassettes, computer software, videos and so on. There is often a national or regional emphasis
although some bibliographies are international. As with other bibliographic tools, printed trade
bibliographies are now being supplemented, or even replaced, by online databases.
Libraries use different tools for bibliographic verification. Some library staff now rely heavily on
tools such as Global books in print, or BookFind—as well as a range of publishers’ and suppliers’
websites.
Su bject Bi bli ogra ph ies

There are thousands of subject bibliographies in many formats. Academic libraries have examples
of many print bibliographies on subjects to support the curriculum of their universities.
Additionally bibliographies, recommended resources, and reading lists are available on the
websites of libraries, associations, and special interest groups.
Bibliogra phi c Control

Bibliographic control is the process of organizing information for access. Traditionally access was
provided by author, title and subject. In card catalogs a card was made and filed for each access
point (author, title, and subject), generally including two or three subjects provided by a standard
subject heading list such as Library of Congress subject headings (LCSH) or Sears list of subject
headings. The use of standard subject headings ensured that the terminology was consistent. Cross
references were made from related and unused terms. Additional access points were made for
joint authors, illustrators, alternate titles, etc.
With the development of electronic records and online catalogs it became easy to provide access
for other elements such as publisher, date, classification number, and ISBN. The MARC record
has specific fields for recording information describing the item. Any searchable field in a
database can provide additional access. In addition, OPAC software generally provides an
opportunity to search by keyword.
Access to electronic information presents a challenge to librarians to organize the information.

The issue of describing non-traditional sources relates to cataloging and bibliographic control
concepts. The development of a standard was suggested by a group of catalogers resulting in a
format called Dublin Core. The elements include some of the same elements as the MARC record
such as title, creator, subject, description, publisher, and date, and other elements as well.
Catalogers continue to discuss and develop ways to provide controlled access for users.
Classification of Library Materials

The two classification systems used by most libraries are Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
and Library of Congress Classification (LCC). Public and school libraries typically use Dewey
Decimal Classification while academic and many special libraries use Library of Congress
Classification.
The systems are similar in that they arrange materials by subject. LCC uses a combination of
letters and numbers while DDC uses numbers. Dewey numbers always have three whole numbers
but may have any number of decimal numbers to the right of the decimal point. Summaries of
the classes and an exercise are provided in this chapter.
E XER CISE 8.1 - E X AM INI NG B I BLI OG RAP HI ES

Choose two bibliographies to examine. Note the type of information each contains and the way they
are arranged. Read the introduction and fill in the tables.
1.
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication (monograph) or

Frequency (serial)
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
2.
Edition
Publisher
Date of publication (monograph) or

Frequency (serial)
Purpose of work

listing)
answer
E XER CISE 8.2 - C ATA LOG Q UE ST IO NS

Find answers to the following questions using a large library catalog.
1. Who are the other authors of Anthony Onwuegbuzie’s book Library anxiety?
2. Who wrote the book The client?
3. What is the ISBN for the second edition of the book Reference and information services by
Richard E. Bopp?
4. I want to buy a copy of Stedman's medical dictionary but need to know who published it.
5. What are the author and title of the book with the ISBN 9781596040632?
6. What is the full title of the book Searching and researching on the Internet?
7. Where was the book Speaking of books (2001) published?
8. When was the book The mapmaker’s wife published by Basic Books?
9. Who wrote the book The bookman’s promise?
10. Is the book The rule of four illustrated?

Library of Cong ress Cla ssificati on
The main classes are:
A General Works
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
C Auxiliary Sciences of History
D History (General) and History of Europe

E-F History: America
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation
H Social Sciences
J Political Science
K Law
L Education
M Music and Books on Music
N Fine Arts
P Language and Literature
Q Science
R Medicine
S Agriculture
T Technology
U Military Science
V Naval Science
Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources (General)
Dewey D ecima l Classification
DDC uses ten very broad classes—one for general works and nine for subject disciplines. Each
class is divided into ten divisions. Each division represents a part of the discipline.
000 Computer science, knowledge & systems 500 Science

010 Bibliographies 510 Mathematics
020 Library & information sciences 520 Astronomy
030 Encyclopedias & books of facts 530 Physics
040 [Unassigned] 540 Chemistry
050 Magazines, journals & serials 550 Earth sciences & geology
060 Associations, organizations & museums 560 Fossils & prehistoric life
070 News media, journalism & publishing 570 Life sciences; biology
080 Quotations 580 Plants (Botany)
090 Manuscripts & rare books 590 Animals (Zoology)
100 Philosophy 600 Technology
110 Metaphysics 610 Medicine & health
120 Epistemology 620 Engineering
130 Parapsychology & occultism 630 Agriculture
140 Philosophical schools of thought 640 Home & family management
150 Psychology 650 Management & public relations
160 Logic 660 Chemical engineering
170 Ethics 670 Manufacturing
180 Ancient, medieval & eastern philosophy 680 Manufacture for specific uses
190 Modern western philosophy 690 Building & construction
200 Religion 700 Arts
210 Philosophy & theory of religion 710 Landscaping & area planning
220 The Bible 720 Architecture
230 Christianity & Christian theology 730 Sculpture, ceramics & metalwork
240 Christian practice & observance 740 Drawing & decorative arts
250 Christian pastoral practice & religious orders 750 Painting
260 Christian organization, social work & worship 760 Graphics arts
270 History of Christianity 770 Photography & computer art
280 Christian denominations 780 Music
290 Other religions 790 Sports, games & entertainment
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology 800 Literature, rhetoric & criticism
310 Statistics 810 American literature in English
320 Political science 820 English & Old English literatures
330 Economics 830 German & related literatures
340 Law 840 French & related literatures
350 Public administration & military science 850 Italian, Romanian & related literatures
360 Social problems & social services 860 Spanish & Portuguese literatures
370 Education 870 Latin & Italic literatures
380 Commerce, communications & transport 880 Classical & modern Greek literatures
390 Customs, etiquette & folklore 890 Other literatures
400 Language 900 History
410 Linguistics 910 Geography & travel
420 English & Old English languages 920 Biography & genealogy
430 German & related languages 930 History of ancient world (to ca. 499)
440 French & related languages 940 History of Europe
450 Italian, Romanian & related languages 950 History of Asia
460 Spanish & Portuguese languages 960 History of Africa
470 Latin & Italic languages 970 History of North America
480 Classical & modern Greek languages 980 History of South America
490 Other languages 990 History of other areas
E XER CISE 8.3 - C LAS SI FI CA TIO N S CH EM ES

Answer the following questions using the tables provided for Library of Congress Classification (LCC)
and Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). Assume that LCC is used in academic and special libraries,
and DDC is used in public and school libraries.
1. What classification number would you expect to find materials on earth sciences in a public
library?
2. What is the subject of a book classified in 330?
3. In a seminary library where would you find books about the Methodist Church?
4. A student wants to browse through the math books in his school library. Where would he be
directed?
5. In a public library where would you expect to find stories about American folklore?
6. A university nursing student needs a medical dictionary. Where would it be found?
7. Where would one find chemistry books in a public library? In an academic library?
8. An art teacher looking for books in the public library will find them in the 750s. Where would
they be found in the university library?
9. Where would you expect to find books on diseases in a medical library?
10. Where would you expect to find an encyclopedia of animals classified in the public library?
103
Chapter 9
DIRECTORIES
Introduction
Directories are the major source of information about people and organizations. Many directories
list organizations alphabetically by the name of the organization or individual, with a subject
index. Some directories are arranged by subject with an alphabetical index under name.
Directories of organizations and companies include elements such as the full name, address,
telephone number, fax number, email address, website, names of personnel or officers, the
function or purpose, and additional information such as a brief history, date of establishment,
activities, services, and publications. Electronic directories have the advantage of providing
multiple access points and frequent updates.
The local telephone directory is one of the most important resources in most libraries. City
directories with references by name, number, and address are well-used, especially in public
libraries. Polk City Directories, from infoUSA, have been published annually in the United States
since 1870. Directories were often referred to as the “Polk directory” or the “crisscross” directory.
Older volumes may be found in archival collections and are used for local history or family
research. Information about them is available online at www.citydirectory.com/
Directories are usually classified in the reference or ready reference section but may be placed
under subject rather than format. The Dewey Decimal Classification provides number-building
directions to indicate directories of persons and organizations. General directories in Dewey
collections may be in the 000s; Library of Congress libraries classify general directories in AY.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) include Directories to be used either as a subject
or as a subheading. Examples include Directories; Journalists—Directories; Australia—
Directories; Libraries—Directories.
Desirable Qualities
In order to be effective, a directory should
• be current
• be updated regularly
• include sufficient information
• allow easy retrieval of information
• provide uniform entries.
Uses
Directories are used to identify and contact organizations and people. Companies use directories
to draw up mailing lists. Market researchers use them to select random samples for opinion
surveys. Researchers use directories to find current information about organizations, associations,
and people. Older directories may be used for historical research.
105
It is important to examine an unfamiliar directory carefully before use, because content and
arrangement vary. There may be several publications covering the same subject field.
There are hundreds of directories. When a library selects titles to acquire, the following factors
should be taken into consideration:
• budget/cost
• space available
• relevance for library’s users
• changing national and international circumstances
• quality.
How is Inf orma tion C ollected?

Information is usually collected by sending questionnaires to organizations and people eligible to
appear in the directory. A form may be sent annually for updates. The accuracy of the data
depends on the response of the people surveyed.
Organizati on of Directories
Directories are typically easy to use reference tools. Generally arrangement is in one of several
ways: alphabetical by name or subject, geographical, or numerical by some code. Entries are
usually concise and easy to understand although it may be necessary to consult the key to
abbreviations. The variation in alphabetical order may be confusing.
Alphabetical Order Variations 5

Any alphabetical listing can be arranged word by word or letter by letter. Many resources use
word-by-word arrangement but if an entry is not found, then letter-by-letter order can be
checked. The difference is that spaces (nothing) come before letters in word-by-word
arrangement; spaces are disregarded in letter-by-letter arrangement.
Letter by letter Word by word

sand San Diego
Sandburg, Carl San Francisco
San Diego San Jose
sandstone San Tomas
San Francisco sand
Sanger, Margaret Sandburg, Carl
sanitation sandstone
San Jose Sanger, Margaret
Sanskrit sanitation
Santa Cruz Sanskrit
San Tomas Santa Cruz
•
5 For an in-depth discussion see “Alphabetizing for an index is more complex than it appears”, EditPros news at
www.editpros.com/news0702.html
Chapter 9 DIRECTORIES 107
E XER CISE 9.1 – O RGA NI ZA TI ON A L D IR E CT ORI ES

Choose examples of organizational directories from the list below. Fill in the details for five titles.
• Americanlibrary directory
• Directories in print
• Directory of physicians in the United States
• Encyclopedia of associations
• Gale directory of publications & broadcast media (formerly Ayer directory of publications)
• International literary market place
• Literary market place
• Martindale-Hubbell law directory
• Official congressional directory
• Official museum directory
• Peterson’s college database
• Research centers directory
• Standard & Poor’s register of corporations, directors and executives
• Thomas register of American manufacturers
• Toll free phone book
• World of learning
1. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
2. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
3. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
4. Title
Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
5. Title

Intended user group
Arrangement
Special features
E XER CISE 9.2 – T YPE S OF D I RE CTO RIE S

Using familiar sources, suggest a t yp e of directory likely to provide the answers to the following
questions, e.g., a business directory. It is not necessary to give exact title or bibliographic details.
1. Which universities offer education courses by distance education?
2. What is the circulation of the Denver, Colorado, Rocky Mountain news newspaper?
3. How many people are members of the American Library Association?
4. Where can I find the average daily temperatures in tourist cities?
5. What is the metric conversion for yards to meters?
6. Who won the Kentucky Derby in 1950?
7. How many people belong to the National Association of Pizza Operators based in Santa Claus,
Illinois?
8. What is the density of population by state or province?
9. Where can I find a copy of the United States Constitution?

10. I need a list of abbreviations for states in the United States of America.
11. Who is the President of the American Baptist Historical Society?
12. Where is Jamie LaRue library director?
13. When was the University of Oxford founded?
14. Does Bird City, Kansas have a public library? If so, what is the name of the library?
15. I need a list of major book publishers in Mexico.
16. I am looking for the address of the Golestan Palace Museum in Iran.
17. Does Alaska have a consortium or network of libraries? If so, what is it called?
18. I need a directory of dentists. Does one exist?
19. Where can I find a list of literary agents?
20. What is the mailing address for the Harrison Memorial Library in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,
Canada?
E XER CISE 9.3 - D I RE CTO RY Q UE ST IO NS

Find the answer to the following questions using directories. Name the source and give the
bibliographic details.
1. Who is the President of the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia?

2. How many daily newspapers are there in Illinois?
3. I would like a list of magazines about disability issues published in the United States.
4. What is the address of the Academie des letters du Quebec?
5. Does Bunton Development Ltd, which is based in Hong Kong, own any companies?
6. When was the Houseboat Association of America founded?
7. What is the address of the Universitat de Barcelona?
8. What is the Sunday circulation of the Denver Colorado Rocky Mountain News?
9. Does the University of Oklahoma offer a graduate degree in library science?
10. What is the telephone number of the Controceni National Museum in Bucharest, Romania?
11. Is the Alaska Library Directory for sale? If so, how much is it?
12. How many TV stations are there in Nova Scotia?
13. Is there a directory of mobile home dealers? If so, how often is it updated?
14. What is the contact information for the International Gas Turbine Institute?
15. Find the telephone number for the Tillsonburg news in Tillsonburg (Ontario, Canada).
16. The Ulster countrywoman is a publication in Belfast, Northern Ireland with a circulation of
approximately 6,000. What is the subscription rate?
17. I need the name and address of the director of the Laboratory for Cancer Research at Rutgers
University.
18. Can you find the fax number for the Library of Congress Center for the Book?
19. I recently met Christine Davitt at a conference and I need to know the name of the research
institute where she works.
20. Where can I find a calendar of association meetings in the library and information science
industry?
Chapter 10
INDEXES & ABSTRACTS
Introduction
Periodical indexing, abstracting, and full-text services are important resources for all libraries.
Many requests for information involve locating periodical literature. The information in
periodical articles, newspapers and conference proceedings is usually more up-to-date than
information in monographs.
Most periodical indexing and abstracting services are available electronically, but library staff may
still need to refer to printed copies to locate older material. For example, a library may subscribe
to an electronic periodical index covering the last twenty years, but for earlier articles users need
to refer to the print version.
The terms current and retrospective are used in discussing periodical indexing and abstracting
resources. Current refers to recent indexing while retrospective refers to earlier or older resources.
Academic and research libraries are more likely to have retrospective coverage. Retrospective
coverage can be expensive as producers have had to convert print resources to electronic formats.
Print indexes are located in the reference section of most libraries. For libraries using the Dewey
Decimal Classification general periodical indexes are classified at 050; Library of Congress
classifies indexes at AI.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) include Indexes as a subject as well as a

subdivision; for example Indexes; Newspapers—Indexes; Periodicals—Indexes; Drama—
Indexes; Poetry—Indexes. Related subject headings include Abstracting and indexing services;
Citation indexes; Permutation indexes.
Indexi ng Services
An indexing service, or periodical index, is a publication that regularly and systematically indexes
the contents of periodical and sometimes other forms of publication, either of a general nature or
within specified subject fields. Periodical indexes include the bibliographical citation and subject
headings. Types of indexes are:
• General—cover many periodicals in a wide subject field such as
Academic search premier
Readers guide to periodical literature
• Subject-specific—cover many periodicals in a particular subject area such as
Education index
• Others—indexes published at the end of a volume of a periodical or separately:
New York Times index—a newspaper index
Play index—index to collections of plays
Book review index—index of book reviews
113
Abstra cti ng Servi ces

An abstracting service provides a summary of the contents of each article, report or book as it is
indexed. The length of abstracts varies. Brief abstracts may be only a couple of phrases or
sentences—25 words or less. Most abstracts are 50 to 75 words but longer abstracts may be 150
words. There are three basic types of abstracts:
• indicative abstract—a short abstract written to enable readers to decide whether or not they
should read the original article or publication
• informative abstract—a summary of the principal arguments and information of the original
publication or article. It can serve as a substitute for the original publication
• evaluative abstract—comments on the worth of the original article or publication.
Terms Related to Indexes and Abstracts

There are many ways to arrange materials in an index. Examples include:
• alphabetical—a common method of arranging indexed entries according to the alphabet. In
some cases there may be a subject index, title, first line, keyword, author in separate indexes
but sub-arranged alphabetically
• book—most people are familiar with the index in the back of books which typically arrange
terms alphabetically and give a page location
• citation—a citation index to the bibliographies in articles (works cited)
• classified—arranged by subject or division; most often use with specialized topics
• coordinate (precoordinate)—combines terms such as American and poetry, or elm and trees
• cumulative—combined indexes or combined number of years
• faceted—showing the many sides or parts
• first line—poetry is commonly indexed by first line
• hypertext—electronic text indexed with links to and from related resources
• Internet—indexes on the Internet may be in a variety of forms including traditional and
automatic
• multimedia—links to multimedia are often integrated into electronic resources
• periodical—some periodicals originally provided individual indexes, such as the National
Geographic index; typically periodical indexes are available in databases and searchable across
databases.
• permuted—a permuted title or subject index shows each word of the entry in relationship to
other entries using the same word
• string index—a series of words in a phrase rotated so that each term is searchable in an
electronic index
• word index—an index that includes every word and name is sometimes called a concordance.
Chapter 10 INDEXES & ABSTRACTS 115
E XER CISE 10.1 - P E RIO DI CA L I N DEX ES

Try to find examples of different formats for a periodical index. Compare the access and coverage.
P rint Onlin e Other

Title
Publisher
Subject coverage
Frequency
Does it contain a list

of abbreviations?
Does it list the
periodicals indexed?
Does it include book
reviews?
Full-T ext S ervices

Once library users experienced electronic indexes and abstracts they wanted immediate access to
the full text of the articles they found. As soon as users had remote access to library catalogs, users
and librarians demanded Web access to full-text databases. Now with so many resources available
online from home or dorm rooms, students and other library users often do not make the effort
to use anything that is not full-text online. Unfortunately many excellent resources are
overlooked.
Characteristics of Journals and Magazines

• Scholarly journals—expert authors; rigorously reviewed; bibliographies; lengthy articles;
written for scholars; use academic terminology.
• Refereed journals—expert authors; peer reviewed (evaluated); bibliographies; in-depth
articles; written for researchers; use vocabulary of the field.
• Trade magazines—reporters or practitioner authors; rarely have bibliographies, brief or in-
depth articles; written for practitioners; may use trade jargon.
• Popular magazines—feature authors; reviewed by editor only; usually no bibliographies;
short articles; written for the public; easy to understand.
E XER CISE 10.2 - I N DEXI NG AN D A BS T RA CT ING R ES O URCES

Try to find an indexing and abstracting resource in more than one format and identify the following
information.
P rint Onlin e Other

Title
Publisher
Subject coverage
Frequency
Does it contain a list

of abbreviations?
Does it list the
periodicals indexed?
Does it include book
reviews?
How to Use Periodical Indexes and Abstracts

In order to use periodical indexes and abstracts efficiently:
• consider the topic and choose the most appropriate indexes and abstracts to consult
• select the year or range of years most appropriate to the topic
• determine relevant terms
• note the details of the most relevant entries
• record the indexes and abstracts searched, including dates and terms used
• check the library’s catalog to see whether the periodicals you want are held.
E XER CISE 10.3 - I DE NT IFY ING A BST RA CTI N G AN D I N DEXI NG S E R VI CE S

Look in Ulrich’s periodicals directory under “Abstracting and indexing services”, or search Ulrich’s
online to see the range of periodical indexes and abstracts published. Find the title of an indexing or
abstracting service on the following subjects.
Subj e ct Title of In dexi ng, Ab str acti ng, and/ or Availabl e

Full-text onli ne ?
Libraries
Book reviews
Geology
Social work
Education
Electroni c Sources
Many information sources are available in electronic form. Before the availability of databases on
the Web, many libraries used CD-ROMs on stand-alone workstations for single use or local area
networks with multiple workstations. Now most electronic resources are available on the Web.
Providing access involves an understanding of the technology as well as licensing and pricing
agreements. It can be a complex issue requiring a great deal of time and expertise. Consortia
arrangements involving multiple library systems, multi-type libraries, statewide licensing, and
multi-state agreements are constantly developing and changing. Advantages of these arrangements
include economy of time, shared expertise, and lower costs.
Most library users are familiar with automated library catalogs. However many still need advice
or assistance when using electronic sources of information because of the wide range of databases,
many of which are searched differently. Users often need help planning the best search strategy to
ensure information is obtained quickly and efficiently. In some circumstances library staff
complete a search on behalf of the user.
Generally electronic resources are not free. Libraries select databases and pay for purchase or
access. Choices vary by library. When Web-based resources became available, the issue of “access
vs. ownership” was discussed extensively by librarians. Library professionals committed to the
principle of preserving information were uncomfortable paying for access when resources would
no longer be available if/when the subscription was discontinued. Maintaining print subscriptions
further complicated the issue as libraries essentially would pay twice for the same resources.
Subscriptions and licensing agreements continue to be a complex and difficult issue for libraries.
Online Services
An online service is one in which users search files of machine-readable information using a
computer. Information is stored on a host computer and users retrieve information from the
databases by means of interactive searching software. The obvious advantage of Web access is that
the vendor, not the institution, manages the host computer. A disadvantage is that once access is
discontinued there are no back files available to users. For this reason some libraries have
continued their print subscriptions, though many have discontinued print in order to afford
online, off-site access for patrons.
Types of Databases
Bibliographic—These are usually the machine-readable form of periodical indexes or abstracts
containing citations to periodical articles, conference papers or chapters of edited books. They
may also include abstracts of items. Some bibliographic databases cover a wide range of subjects.
Others concentrate on one subject only.
Directory—These usually have a business focus and contain information about organizations,
people, research projects, etc.
Full-text—These contain the entire text of publications and documents. Newspapers were among
the first resources available as full-text databases. Now most periodical databases provide full-text
for most or all of the resources indexed.
Features of Databases
Some online services allow the user to search one database at a time. In others, groups of
databases can be searched. Most online services include ways in which phrases and other
combinations of words can be retrieved. Users enter terms and link them with the Boolean
operators, AND, NOT and OR to describe their search. AND is a limiting command requiring
all search terms to be included; OR is an expanding command and brings up everything with
either term; NOT is restricting results to all except the identified term. Most allow the user to
limit a search by fields such as date, language or document type. The options are generally
available in an “advanced” search option. Librarians and users may find it helpful to use a
Database Search Guide (see the example on the next page) to plan searches.
Subscriptions to electronic resources are expensive and all libraries must choose the titles most
appropriate for their users. Occasionally there is a need to access other databases. There are
thousands of databases available on a cost-per-search basis to supplement the resources the library
subscribes to. Because of the costs involved and the need to develop a structured search strategy,
many libraries arrange for a librarian to search the online database rather than the library user.
Users need to discuss their information needs with the librarian to ensure that time is not wasted.
Typically cost-per-search charges are passed on to the user for databases not available in the
library.
E XAM P LE - D AT A BA SE S E AR CH G UIDE
Topic: Discrimination against women and girls in sport
Concept #1 Concept #2 Concept #3
Term: women

OR AND sport AND discrimination

Term: girls
Notes:
Professor wants:
• recent full-text articles
• statistics
• media coverage
Databases searched:
Using an Online Service

Online services provide fast access to a vast quantity of information. They include information
unavailable in printed sources. They enable users to locate terms too recent or concepts too
narrow to be identified in printed sources. A major advantage is being able to combine search
terms and to access multiple fields in the same search.
It is important to read the documentation for the service, e.g., a user manual, before starting a
search. Planning a search strategy is important to ensure an efficient search.
When searching any electronic database librarians and users should be aware of the concepts
related to efficient use—precision and recall. Precision indicates the effectiveness of the search—
specifically the ratio of relevant documents retrieved to the total number of documents retrieved.
Recall indicates the ratio of the total number of relevant documents in the database to the number
of relevant documents retrieved. Electronic databases are only as good as the process for creating
them—and the individual executing the search!
The costs of an online service include a joining and/or annual fee, online connect fees, charges for
viewing and printing information, and telecommunications costs. The online charging rate varies
according to which databases are searched. An important feature of online services is the option
for updating searches at regular intervals as new material is entered on the database. Online
services used by library staff and users to locate and obtain copies of periodical articles on a wide
range of subjects include:
• Current Contents—Current Contents Connect is a multidisciplinary current awareness Web
resource providing access to complete bibliographic information from over 8,000 of the
world's leading scholarly journals and more than 2,000 books.
scientific.thomson.com/products/ccc/
• Dialog—The earliest Dialog system was completed in 1966 and now provides more than 900
databases. The Thomson Corporation now owns Dialog.
www.dialog.com/
• FirstSearch—FirstSearch is an OCLC online service that gives library professionals and end
users access to a rich collection of reference databases.
www.oclc.org/firstsearch/
• IngentaConnect—This service provides access to more than 30,000 works covering a wide
range of subjects. Documents can be ordered online and faxed for a fee.
www.ingentaconnect.com/
CD-ROMs
CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) was developed to store vast quantities of
information. Many libraries developed CD-ROM networks during the 1980s and 1990s enabling
several users to access the information from a number of locations. Most local area networks have
been replaced by Web access to resources.
There are still some CD-ROM resources that may enhance the library’s collection. Libraries
encourage their users to do their own searching on CD-ROM resources. Librarians provide initial
instruction, training courses and user guides to assist the users to search efficiently. It is an
advantage for users to undertake their own searches by following the menu-driven options
without having to construct detailed search strategies.
Citing Sources
When information is located for a user, it is important that the full bibliographical citation is
included. Users often want to refer to the source for additional information. It can be very
frustrating trying to find a source with no identification. The information in the citation remains
the same although the style may vary depending on the required form.
Style Manuals
The correct form for citing sources is often a problem for students because there are many
different styles available. Each academic discipline may demand a different style. Most reference
collections have the most current edition of several popular style manuals. Examples of popular
styles include APA (American Psychological Association) for psychology, education and other
social sciences; MLA (Modern Language Association) for arts and humanities; and Chicago for
books, magazines and other non-scholarly publications.
Book s
APA Style
Nesbeitt, S. L. & Gordon, R. S. (2002). The Information Professional’s Guide To Career
Development Online. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
MLA Style
Nesbeitt, Sarah L. and Rachael Singer Gordon. The Information Professional’s Guide to
Career Development Online. Medford, N.J.: Information Today, 2002.
Chicago Style
Nesbeitt, Sarah L. and Rachael Singer Gordon. 2002. The information professional’s guide to
career development online. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
Jour na ls
Many journals include the title printed on each page, but it is necessary to check that all of the
required information is recorded including the author of the article, title of the article, title of the
journal, volume and issue, and page numbers.
APA Style
Tate, M. & Alexander, J. (Nov/Dec. 1996). Teaching critical evaluation skills for World
Wide Web Resources. Computers in Libraries 16 (10) 49-55.
MLA Style
Tate, Marsha and Jan Alexander, “Teaching Critical Evaluation Skills for World Wide
Web Resources.” Computers in Libraries 16:10 49-55 (1996).
Chicago Style
Tate, Marsha and Jan Alexander, 1996. Teaching critical evaluation skills for World Wide
Web resources. Computers in Libraries 16 (10): 49-55.
E XER CISE 10.4 - Q UE STI ON S U SI NG I N DE XES AN D A BST RA CTS

Find the answer to the following questions using a periodical index/abstract.
1. Find a full-text review of one of Robert Ludlum’s books. List the title of the book, the index
used, and the citation for the full-text article.
2. Find an article on childhood diabetes. Give the full citation.
3. Identify a database appropriate to use for research in psychology.
4. Find an article about the opening of the Georgia O’Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Give the full citation of the article and the title of the index used.
5. Name two periodical indexes covering education. How are they different?
6. Identify a free index to public health information. How can you access it?
7. Where can you find the ERIC database? What does ERIC stand for?
8. Name a popular general periodical index. Find one public library that provides the index.
9. Find an article about John Steinbeck. Include the name of the index and the full citation.
10. A user wants information on the Alaska earthquake in the 1960s. Find an article and provide
the name of the index and full citation of one article.
Chapter 11
GOVERNM ENT DOCUMENTS
Introduction
In this book we examine various types of reference tools including dictionaries and encyclopedias;
directories, biographical and geographical sources; almanacs, handbooks, manuals, and yearbooks;
bibliographies, indexes and abstracts. Government documents are produced in the same formats
but the source is unique.
Government publications are produced by a wide range of bodies. Each country produces
government reports and documents; states, provinces and local governments also produce
documents that are important for libraries. Government publications provide information
frequently not available in other publications, and they are therefore unique sources of
information. This chapter emphasizes United States and Canadian documents, but also addresses
publications from states, provinces and local governments, other countries, and the United
Nations.
United States Gov ernm ent Documents

The United States Government Printing Office (GPO) has been described as the largest publisher
in the world. U.S. government documents can be cataloged by libraries and classified using
Library of Congress or Dewey Decimal classification. However, libraries with large collections of
federal documents generally use the classification system of the Superintendent of Documents
(SuDocs). This classification system was developed over several years from 1895 to 1903 and was
issued by the Superintendent of Documents in 1904. It is designed to organize publications by
the same government author or agency.
The table overleaf shows the general class breakdown. For a detailed explanation of the SuDocs
Classification see the website at
www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/explain.html
123
Superi ntend ent of Documents C lassification System

Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) Classification System arranges materials by issuing
agency, not by subject.
Agency Code Agency Code

Agriculture Department A Arms Control and Disarmament Agency AC
National Archives and Records
AE Commerce Department C
Administration
Federal Communications Commission CC Civil Rights Commission CR
Defense Department D Energy Department E
Education Department ED Environmental Protection Agency EP
Fine Arts Commission FA Farm Credit Administration FCA
Federal Emergency Management Agency FEM Federal Housing Financing Board FHF
Federal Reserve System Board of
Federal Maritime Commission FMC FR
Governors
Federal Trade Commission FT Foreign-Trade Zones Board FTZ
General Accounting Office GA Government Printing Office GP
General Services Administration GS Health and Human Services Department HE
Housing and Urban Development
HH Interior Department I
Department
U.S. Information Agency IA Interstate Commerce Commission IC
International Trade Commission ITC Justice Department J
Judiciary JU Labor Department L
Library of Congress LC National Labor Relations Board LR
National Aeronautics and Space
Merit Systems Protection Board MS NAS
Administration
National Capital Planning Commission NC National Credit Union Administration NCU
National Foundation on the Arts and the
NF National Mediation Board NMB
Humanities
National Science Foundation NS Overseas Private Investment Corporation OP
United States Postal Service P Peace Corps PE
Personnel Management Office PM President of the United States PR
Executive Office of the President PREX Vice President of the United States PRVP
Railroad Retirement Board RR State Department S
Small Business Administration SBA Securities and Exchange Commission SE
Smithsonian Institution SI Social Security Administration SSA
Treasury Department T Transportation Department TD
Veterans Affairs Department VA Congress X
Congressional Publications Y
Chapter 11 GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS 125
E XER CISE 11.1 - S U D O CS I DE NTI FI CATI ON

Identify the source of the following SuDocs numbers using the table on the opposite page.
1. C 3.24/8:IN23
2. NAS 1.2:FR 76
3. NS 1.53:990
4. D 1.2:EX83
5. I 29.6/4
6. SI 1.1/A:AE82/5
7. A 67.7/3:11/5
8. ED 1.109
9. Y 4.P93/1:1P/
10. PREX
SuDocs Number
A SuDocs number consists of a class number and a book number. It is written using letters,
numbers, and one or more separators (slashes, colons and periods). When the date is included in
the book number, the year is often abbreviated by dropping the first number—e.g., 986 for 1986
(the publication date).
A SuDocs number may include:

• the source of the document (mandatory)
• the type of document (circular, serial, etc.)
• serial details (volume, issue, etc.)
• whether it is part of a series
• the date of publication.
To find an item using its SuDocs number, it is helpful to recognize the various parts of the
number. Here is an example:
I 29.6/4: B86/986
class number: book/item number
Call numbers may be written vertically or horizontally:
I 29.6/4: B86/986 or I 29
6/4
B86/986
In the number above:
I = Interior Department (issuing agency)

29 = National Park Service (section of the issuing agency)
6 = National Parks Information Circulars (type of document)
4 = National Rivers, Information Circulars (more specific type of document)
B = Buffalo (first word of title)
86 = Buffalo National River: official map and guide (specific title)
986 = 1986 (publication date)
Availability of Federal D ocum ents

The Federal Depository Libraries program ensures that federal government documents are
available to the public through various libraries. Federal Depository Libraries are located in every
state. More than 1,500 libraries receive documents, at no charge, according to a specific profile.
Public, university, college, or special libraries may become depository libraries. Most depository
libraries are selective, and receive only documents in particular categories. There are at least two
depository libraries in each congressional district. In addition, about 50 regional depository
libraries receive all materials available for deposit. Documents in the federal depository libraries
are available to all U.S. citizens. Government documents are available in various formats
including paper, CD-ROM, microfiche, and online. A large number of current documents are
available online. More information on the depository program can be found at
www.gpoaccess.gov/fdlp.html
U.S. Gov ernment Document T ools

Various agencies in the federal government outsource the printing of some of their publications.
This practice complicates the tracking and acquisition of federal publications. Government
documents are free of copyright so some information is also available from commercial publishers
such as Congressional Quarterly (CQ), Bernan, and others. These publishers repackage the
information with “value added” features or provide easier access and indexing.
Federal documents are available in all types of reference tools. There are also many commercially
produced tools to assist in sourcing U.S. documents. Some have been mentioned in earlier
chapters as important resources for reference work. Major titles may be repeated here. Many are
available via the Internet.
Fast Facts including Statistical Information and Statistical Indexes

Statistical abstract of the United States (C 3.134/7:2006) from the Census Bureau is one of the
most widely used reference tools from the government. This annual publication is often found in
ready reference collections. The single volume includes popular statistical data from all federal
agencies as well as from non-government sources. It is complemented by commercial publications
such as the World almanac and the Europa world yearbook.
www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract.html
Crime in the United States, also known as Uniform crime reports, (J 1.14/7-8)
(www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm) and the Sourcebook of criminal justice statistics (J 29.9/6-2) are
valuable statistical reports from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
Encyclopedia of educational statistics, a website from the National Center for Education Statistics
(NCES) (nces.ed.gov/), links several major Education Department publications including the
Digest of Educational Statistics (K-12 and postsecondary education), the Condition of education
(ED 1.109) and Projections of education statistics.
Congressional Information Service (CIS) is a commercial publisher that provides three important
statistical indexes. These indexes are also available from LEXIS-NEXIS as the Statistical universe.
• American statistics index (ASI) is an index and abstract of federal government statistical
sources.
• Statistical reference index (SRI) is an index and abstract of state, industry and non-federal
statistical publications.
• Index to international statistics (IIS) indexes and abstracts international organizations’
statistical resources.
Handbooks, Manuals, and Yearbooks

United States government manual (www.gpoaccess.gov/gmanual/) is the official handbook of the
federal government. The Manual (AE 2.108/) is published annually and provides a description,
mission, and relationships or reporting lines for agencies and offices as well as names of key
personnel with contact information.
The Standard industrial classification (SIC) code was used for many years to provide a numeric
symbol for aspects of industries. The Code was sponsored by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). In 1997 the NAICS codes replaced the SIC codes for most purposes. NAICS—
North American industry classification system is sponsored by the Bureau of Census. The use of the
codes is essential in business research.
Other handbooks of note include:

• Occupational outlook handbook from the Bureau of Statistics, describing careers
(GP 3.22/2:270/)
• Social security handbook, Social Security Administration (SSA 1.8/3: )
www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/
• World factbook from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) PREX 3.15:
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
• Area handbook series (Country Studies) from the Department of the Army provides political,
economic and social information on other countries in a series of monographs that are
updated occasionally.
Biographical Resources
• Official congressional directory (www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory) is a very valuable source. It
contains information about each of the senators and representatives including biographical
information as well as official committee appointments. Y 4.P93/1:1/
• Congressional pictorial directory (www.gpoaccess.gov/pictorial) provides pictures of the
President, Vice President, each member of the House of Representatives and the Senate and
House and Senate officers and officials. Y 4.P93/1:1P/
Geographical Information
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) produces thousands of maps and provides an
invaluable resource for map collections. Maps in digital format, geographical data layers and place
name information are also publications of USGS.
Background notes (www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/), prepared by the Department of State, provide

geographical information on foreign countries as well as history, culture, government, politics and
economics. These pamphlet-style notes complement the Country Studies books discussed under
Manuals.
Bibliographies
Two important bibliographies of U.S. Government publications are:
• Catalog of U. S. government publications (catalog.gpo.gov/F)—the basic bibliography for
identifying documents.
• Monthly catalog of United States government publications (MOCAT)—the print version of the
Catalog of United States government publications. It can be found through GPO access at
www.gpo.gov.
Directories
Several directories stand out as important sources for reference work.
• Official congressional directory (www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/), mentioned above, is a
directory for and about Congress. Brief biographies are provided for each senator and
representative along with contact information, and committee assignments. This tool is
heavily used.
• Washington information directory, a commercially produced publication, provides information
from the Congressional directory and the U.S. government manual (see below) but also includes
non-government groups including foundations, lobbying organizations, and associations.
• Zip code directory (National Address and ZIP + 4) from the United States Postal Service is
another popular directory.
Indexes and Abstracts

There are hundreds of government-produced periodicals available for subscription.
AGRICOLA, created by the National Agricultural Library, is another major catalog and database
index produced by the federal government. The index includes monographs and journal articles
in the areas of agriculture, plant and animal sciences, forestry, entomology and others.
ERIC (Educational resources information center) (www.eric.ed.gov/) was established in 1960 to

handle education materials. Today it is an Internet-based digital library of education research and
information sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of
Education. ERIC provides access to bibliographic records of journal and non-journal literature
indexed from 1966 to the present.
MEDLINE, from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), is the standard index to medical
literature; the paper equivalent is IndexMedicus. Two free public access versions of MEDLINE are
PubMed and Internet Grateful Med. MEDLINE is also available through several commercial
vendors. The differences are in the software provided.
Census Information
The United States takes a census at the beginning of every decade. Census information is
available via the Web and in many depository libraries. The Statistical abstract of the United States
provides a great deal of concise statistical information from the census. General demographic
information is available soon after the completion of the census. United States Census Bureau is
available online at www.census.gov/
Legislative and Judicial Information

Thomas is a website of the Library of Congress providing links to various sources of information
on legislative government. Named for Thomas Jefferson, it is found at www.thomas.gov/.
State and L ocal Documents

U.S. state and local governments generally have websites. Documents not available electronically
from the websites are often located through the local library. There are several sites that provide
links to local and state government web pages.
GovLinks Index: Local Government—This service is provided by Congressional Quarterly and

provides links to city and county governments.
www.governing.com/govlinks/glocal.htm
Local government—GovEngine.com provides links to local governments including courts at

www.govengine.com/localgov/index.html
E XER CISE 11.2 - U.S. G O VE RN ME NT D O CUME NT S

Indicate the U.S. government document where you would expect to find information on the following
topics.
1. Biographical information about the senators representing your state
2. Information about Social Security
3. Ordering information for a specific document
4. Periodical articles on agriculture
5. Demographics of the city in which you live
6. Legislative information on a current bill
7. Statistics regarding violent crime in your state
8. Sample curriculum for third grade math
9. Current information about childhood cancer
10. Information about Cuba

E XER CISE 11.3 - U.S. G O VE RN ME NT I N TE RN ET S I TE S

Look at the following U.S. Government Internet sites and suggest a question that might be answered
from each site.
1. Statistical Abstract of the United States

2. ERIC Database
www.eric.ed.gov/
3. United States Government Manual

www.gpoaccess.gov/gmanual/
4. PubMed
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed
5. Thomas
www.thomas.gov/
6. U.S. Census Bureau

www.census.gov/
7. Official Congressional Directory

www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/
8. Catalog of U. S. Government Publications

catalog.gpo.gov/F
9. GPO Access
www.gpo.gov.
10. Background Notes

www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
Canadian Gov ernment D ocum ents

The publisher of Canadian government documents is Canadian Government Publishing (CGP).
CGP also administers Crown Copyright and Licensing agreements. CGP is the reference source
for 100,000 free and priced Government of Canada titles spanning two decades. You may order
available titles at publications.gc.ca/control/publicHomePage?lang=English
On every publication page of the website there is a link to a list of Libraries to help locate the
nearest library that carries government publications. Information on Canadian and international
bookstores that sell CGP documents is also available on the website.
Availability of Federal D ocum ents

As part of Publishing and Depository Services (within Public Works and Government Services
Canada) the Depository Services Program (DSP) acts as the Government of Canada’s
“information safety net”. DSP issues a weekly checklist of the latest government publications and
supplies publications to over 900 public, institutional and governmental libraries in Canada and
abroad. It also provides ISBN and catalog numbers for publishers and government departments.
Preparing Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) records has been moved from DSP to the Library
and Archives Canada. Additional information is available online at dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/index-
e.html. The Depository Services Program ensures that Canadian government documents are
available to the public through its depository libraries.
The Publications Canada and DSP websites provide access to their publications, searchable by
title, subject, publication number, corporate author and catalogue number.
Many government documents are now issued in electronic format. The DSP website offers links
to its e-collection of electronic publications available on the DSP server. As in the main catalog,
items can be searched by title, subject and corporate author. Some publications are available only
to depository libraries.
However, the e-list contains only those items that are part of the electronic library maintained by
the Depository Services Program in support of the Depository Network. A more complete listing
may be found by searching the DSP catalogue or the Canada Site (canada.gc.ca/).
There are links on the Publications Canada website to sources of provincial government
documents.
Information on the Parliament can be found by accessing LEGISinfo. This is a research tool for
locating information on legislation currently before the Canadian Parliament. This tool provides
electronic access to a wide range of information about individual bills, such as
• the text of the bill at various stages;
• government press releases and backgrounders (for government bills);
• legislative summaries from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service.
LEGISinfo also provides a reading list and other related Web links for House of Commons and
Senate government bills. By bringing these sources together, LEGISinfo offers easy access to
legislative information and reduces time spent researching these matters.
LEGISinfo is a collaborative effort of the Parliamentary Information and Research Service and
the Information and Document Resource Service of the Library of Parliament. It is available at
www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO/.
The Department of Justice provides access through its website at laws.justice.gc.ca/en/index.html,

and index to Consolidated statutes and Consolidated regulations. It also provides Constitutional
texts (the Constitution and the Charter of rights and freedoms) as well as frequently accessed
statutes such as the Criminal Code, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Income Tax Act,
Copyright Act, Privacy Act, and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
Selected Canadian Gov ernment D ocument Tools

The Publications Canada catalog can be seen at
publications.gc.ca/control/browseOurCatalogue
The 2001 Census of Agriculture may be seen at www.statcan.ca/english/agcensus2001/
Statistical Information and Statistical Indexes

The census provides a statistical portrait of Canada and its people. The most recent census was on
May 16, 2006. It is carried out by Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada is the source of all census and statistical data. The Index of downloadable
Statistics Canada publications is also available through the Depository Services Program
(dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collections/Statcan/index-e.html). They are indexed by subject and
Statistics Canada catalog number.
Handbooks, Manuals, and Yearbooks

The Canada year book is published annually by the Communications Branch of Statistics Canada.
First published in 1867, the Canada year book is the premier reference work on the social and
economic life of Canada and its citizens. Presented in almanac style for ready reference, the 2006
edition contains 400 pages of tables, charts and succinct analytical articles on every major subject
in Statistics Canada's areas of expertise.
Biographical Resources
Canadian government biographies index is an unofficial online source for information on some
Canadians who have served the government. There are profiles of prime ministers and provincial
premiers.
canadaonline.about.com/od/canadiansingovernment/a/biographieslist.htm
Geographical Information
The Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) produces thousands of maps and the Atlas of Canada
online (atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site). These provide a valuable source of geographic information for map
collections. The digital data of these maps is available to qualifying libraries through the
Depository Services Program.
Since 1897 the Canadian Geographic Names Board has made decisions about names for
Canadian maps. It supports the Canadian geographic names database that allows users to search
for information on any place name in Canada.
Bibliographies
The Catalogue of publications Canada and the Weekly checklist of the Depository Services Program
are the two best sources of information on Canadian government printed and electronic
resources. On each website there are links to provincial government documents.
E XER CISE 11.4 - C A NA DIA N G OVER N ME NT D OCUME NT S T OO LS

Indicate the government document tool which you would use to help you find answers to the
following questions. Note that all federal and some provincial web sites are bilingual and have
information in both English and French. You will probably want to select the English portals.
1. A member of the City Council wants to compare the number of family violence cases in your
community with other communities in the province.
2. A library user needs the telephone number for the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
3. A mother has just heard about the possibility of an avian flu epidemic. Where can she find
information about it?
4. Find information on how to start a small business in Ontario.
5. A Ukrainian-born farm buyer wants to find the ethnic balance of homeowners in the province of
Saskatchewan.
6. A college professor wants to know the status of Bill C-282 of the 39th Parliament of Canada.
The bill is entitled “An act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act”.
7. An engineer has just become unemployed. He has heard that there is work in Alberta, but
would like the security of a government position. Where can he find out more?
8. An elementary school teacher is looking of ideas for teaching about ancient Egypt. Where can
she find a comprehensive guide to the topic?
9. A recent widow needs information on the Social Security benefits available from her husband.
10. An elementary principal would like to know about recent trends in the teaching profession in
order to decide when to retire.
E XER CISE 11.5 - D E PO SIT OR Y S E RVICES P ROG RA M C A TA LO G UE

You have an Emergency Preparedness reference section in your public library. Search the catalog on
the Depository Services Program website by subject for publications about earthquakes
(publications.gc.ca/control/simplePublicSearchCriteria). Select the titles that you think would be
suitable for this section in your library.
United Nations Documents

The United Nations Official Document System (ODS) is a system for storing and retrieving
United Nations documents, It allows users to search for and retrieve documents via the Internet.
United Nations (UN) documents are available in the six official languages of the United Nations:
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Some documents are available in
German. Documents are stored in text format or as PDF files. The following will assist in
locating UN documents:
• Checklist of United Nations Documents
• United Nations Documents Index (UNDI)
• United Nations website (www.un.org)
• Additional information about United Nations documents can be found by consulting the
research guide at www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/
Classification of UN Documents
UN documents are initially classified according to origin, such as General Assembly, Economic &
Social Council, Security Council, Trusteeship Council, Secretariat, and various committees or
programs. Further divisions indicate departments or series. The classification number is a
combination of letters, numbers and slashes. For example:
A/ General Assembly
E/ Economic & Social Council
S/ Security Council
T/ Trusteeship Council
ST/ Secretariat
CCPR/ Human Rights Committee
DP/ UN Development Program
Exa mp le s
A/52/100 – General Assembly document from the fifty-second session
S/1997/100 – Security Council document issued in 1997
E/1997/100 – Economic and Social Council document from the 1997 sessions
ST/AI/405 – Administrative instruction issued by the Secretariat
Databases
UN-I-QUE (UN Info Quest)—a ready-reference file created by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library
designed to provide quick access to document symbols/sales numbers for UN materials (1946
onwards). It also provides answers to frequently asked questions. It does not give full
bibliographic details and does not replace other UN databases.
UNBISnet (United Nations Bibliographic Information System)—the catalog of UN documents

and publications indexed by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library and the Library of the UN Office at
Geneva. The catalog also references commercial publications and other non-UN sources held in
the collections. Find the catalog at unbisnet.un.org/
Search O pti ons

The user can select any of the six official languages on the screens. Field searching is available for
most documents:
• by document symbol
• by publication or release date
• by words from the title
• by subject
• by agenda item number
• by session
• by job number
• full-text.
For other databases, see the United Nations website at www.un.org.

Chapter 12
THE INTERNET
What i s the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of computers linked by telephone wires, optical fibers, wireless
and satellite links, and other technologies. This “network of networks” is used to disseminate
information, to seek information, to communicate, to teach and learn, and to conduct business.
Since its widespread use in the 1990s information and services available on the Internet have
exploded. Library staff must be able to instruct patrons on using it efficiently. Critical evaluation
of sources is particularly important.
Because of the publicity about the Internet some users think that it is the best (or only) source to
answer their questions. However, it has not replaced all sources used by reference staff. In many
situations, particularly when answering ready reference questions, it may be faster to use a printed
source.
Many libraries bookmark important websites for their users. When a useful website is found
many librarians bookmark it so staff and users can find it easily. Internet addresses change so
bookmarks must be verified periodically.
Some computers, such as the one you may have at home, may connect to the Internet in order to
send and receive email, and search the World Wide Web. Other computers, permanently
connected to the Internet, store information which Internet users may access.
Computers that store information and make it available to outside users are called servers.
The Internet is made up of several different technologies. The most popular of these is email, or
electronic mail, closely followed by the World Wide Web (WWW).
Email
This is the most widely used Internet technology. It enables you to exchange messages with others
who have access to the Internet. Organizations frequently use programs such as Microsoft
Outlook or Lotus Notes, which contain an email component. Most web browsers have a built-in
email package. Many people prefer to use a stand-alone package such as Eudora, Pegasus, or
Mozilla Thunderbird, or rely on a web-based service such as Yahoo! mail, hotmail, or gmail.
Alerting Services
You may use your email account simply to exchange messages with the people you know. You
may also use it to subscribe to alerting services that keep you up-to-date in your field of interest.
Alerting services help you to update your knowledge and skills as a reference worker.
Three such services are listed below, as examples. They are most useful in information services, as
they alert subscribers to new sites and resources.
137
To subscribe, go to the website where the service is produced. Here are instructions on
subscribing (usually this means sending your email address to the site). Bookmark it, as you may
want to return to that site later to see how to send a message, or to unsubscribe.
Once you have subscribed, you may receive a message requesting you to confirm your
subscription. You need to reply to this message, usually within 48 hours. You will probably then
get a message welcoming you to the service. Make sure you keep this message, as it may tell you
how to unsubscribe (which you may want to do when it all gets too much!). Alternatively the
welcome may come directly, without the need for a confirmation.
From now on messages will start to arrive in your mailbox. You could set up a special folder for
each of the services you subscribe to, and move messages for each service into its folder as you
receive them. This will help you to keep control of your mailbox, and make it easier to find the
messages you want.
You will generally be told how to unsubscribe at the website for the service. Finally, each email
you receive from the service may contain unsubscribe information.
Sample Alerting Services

1. The Scout Report: “The Scout Report is the flagship publication of the Internet Scout
Project. Published every Friday both on the web and by email, it provides a fast,
convenient way to stay informed of valuable resources on the Internet. Our team of
professional librarians and subject matter experts select, research, and annotate each
resource.”
http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/about.php
2. LIIWEEK: “Librarians' Internet Index (LII) is a publicly-funded website and weekly

newsletter serving California, Washington state, the nation, and the world.
Every Thursday morning we send out our free newsletter, New This Week, which
features dozens of high-quality websites carefully selected, described, and organized by
our team of librarians. Topics include current events and issues, holidays and seasons,
helpful tools for information users, human interest, and more.”
http://lii.org/pub/htdocs/about_overview.htm
3. Neat New Stuff I Found This Week: selects and briefly reviews “a dozen great
informational sites each week.”
http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html
The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is what most people think of when they use the term “Internet”. The Web
consists of a huge number of pages, which may combine text, graphics, sound, animation and
video. These pages are linked to other pages using hypertext (usually indicated by underlining
and/or a distinct color). Clicking on hypertext will activate the link, and you will be transferred to
the linked page.
A collection of related pages hosted by an organization or a single user is called a site. Each site
will probably have a home page that acts as a gateway, table of contents, or index to the rest of the
site.
Chapter 12 THE INTERNET 139
To view and navigate through web pages requires a piece of software called a web browser (e.g.,
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape, Safari, Opera, Mozilla Firefox).
URLs
All pages (sites and documents) on the World Wide Web have a URL (Uniform Resource
Locator). This is the address at which that resource can be found on the Web.
A typical URL is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/

This may be decoded as follows:
http:// (hypertext transfer protocol)—tells the computer to transmit data in a format that can
be displayed on the Web. Most browsers do not need you to enter this part of the
URL
www indicates that the site is located on a World Wide Web server, a computer that makes
websites and documents available to the network
bbc indicates the organization whose server it is
co indicates the type of website
uk indicates the country of origin
Domain Names
In the example above, bbc.co.uk is an example of a domain name. A domain name is that part of
a URL that identifies the particular website.
Top Le ve l Domai n Na mes ( TLDs)

There are a number of top level domain names, the most common being:
.com Usually indicates a commercial organization (in some countries .co is used)
.edu Educational organizations (in some countries .ac is used)
.gov Government bodies (in some countries .govt is used)
.org Organizations (nonprofit)
Other TLDs include:

.asn Associations
.mil Military bodies
.aero Air-transport industry
.biz Businesses
.coop Cooperatives
.info Unrestricted use
.museum Museums
.name Individuals
.pro Accountants, lawyers, and physicians
Top level domain names also include two letter country codes:
.ac Ascension Island
.ad Andorra
and so on.
U.S. websites rarely show the .us country code.
For a complete list of TLDs and country codes see Norid: Domain name registries around the
world, at
http://www.norid.no/domenenavnbaser/domreg.html
It is important to be able to decode a domain name, to assess the relevance and quality of the
website: could this site have a country bias? is this site trying to sell me something? does this site
come from a university? and so on.
More about URLs

A typical URL for a file held on a site is:
http://www.cbc.ca/weather/map.jsp
weather/ indicates the folder or directory in which the file is located on the site
map.jsp indicates the name of the file
A typical URL for a personal home page is:

http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm
the ~ (tilde) symbol indicates a personal home page of someone identified as woolflm,
hosted by the organization identified as webster.edu
E XER CISE 12.1 - URL s

Try to identify the name of each organization or person represented by the following URLs. What else
can you determine about the organization?
1. http://www.gramophone.co.uk
2. http://www.un.org
3. http://www.nytimes.com
Navigating a Website
The following exercises aim to develop your skills in finding your way (“navigating”) to and
around websites and individual web pages.
In these exercises you may need to use your browser’s Back button, or the drop-down “Go” list to
return to your starting point within a particular site.
E XER CISE 12.2 – T YP ES OF W EBSI TE S

Visit each site and follow the instructions and/or answer the questions.
1. A personal home page: www.webster.edu/~woolflm
a. Find the page on aging.
b. Complete the “Knowledge of Aging Quiz”.
c. Where did Linda Woolf complete her BA?
2. National Library of Australia: www.nla.gov.au

Follow the links to the Australian Libraries Gateway.
a. Find a list of law libraries in NSW (the Australian state of New South Wales).
b. Which of these have web-based catalogs?
3. Lyrics World: http://ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/summer.html
a. Find the lyrics to the song “Blue suede shoes”.
b. Find the lyrics to any song which was a number 1 hit in 1932.
Evaluating Information on the Web

There are hundreds of millions of pages on the Web. Many are of very poor quality. To decide
whether the information is reliable, use the same criteria you would use to assess information
found elsewhere.
• Check whether the information is supplied by a reliable authority. Is it possible to identify the
sponsoring body? Is there a street or mailing address, and a phone number, not just an email
address?
• Decide whether the author is well-qualified. Can you identify the author or producer and
his/her organization? What are the author’s credentials?
• Are the sources for any quoted information clearly identified?
• Is there evidence of bias in the information?
• How recent is the information—i.e., when was the website last updated? Are the links in the
document regularly maintained?
• Is the site well structured and easy to navigate?
Online Resources for Evaluating Internet Sources

For excellent materials on evaluating information on websites visit:
Wolfgram Memorial Library, Evaluate web pages
http://www3.widener.edu/Academics/Libraries/Wolfgram_Memorial_Library/Evaluate_Web_Pages/659/
Many other university libraries have online guides for evaluating Web sources including the
following examples:
• Johns Hopkins University Milton Library, Evaluating information found on the Internet
www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating
• University of California Berkeley Teaching Library, Critical evaluation of resources including
books, articles, and websites
www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/search.html
• New Mexico State University Library, The good, the bad, & the ugly; or why it’s a good idea to
evaluate web sources
lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html
Finding Ref erence Information on the Web

There are two broad approaches to finding reference information on the Internet:
• If you know the URL for a particular reference tool, you can go to that tool directly, or if you
know a website that provides collections of reference tools, you can search that site for an
appropriate tool.
• You may choose to search for the information directly, by using a web search tool, either a
web directory or a web search engine.
Collections of Reference Tools

Many libraries compile collections of web reference tools for their clients. An excellent example is:
Purdue University Libraries - Quick Reference
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/eresources/readyref/Other
Other collections of web reference tools include:

Bartleby.com. Great books online
http://www.bartleby.com/
Librarians’ Index to the Internet. Ready reference & quick facts

http://search.lii.org/index.jsp?more=SubTopic10
The Internet Public Library. Reference

http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/ref00.00.00
E XER CISE 12.3 – W E B R EFER EN CE T O O LS

1. Find out if your library has a web page with a collection of web reference tools. If not, choose a
library where you study or work, or another library you are familiar with, which does have such
a page. Take some time to study it and observe which reference tools have been chosen.
2. Browse a university library’s reference guide and select tools to answer the following
questions:
a. Who was the goddess Artemis?
b. What does the acronym FEMA stand for?
c. On what day of the week will September 11 fall in 2011?
d. What is the latitude and longitude of Manhattan, N.Y.?
e. I would like a brief summary of the Nicaraguan economy.
3. Use one of the other collections of web reference tools listed above to find Biogaphy.com,
then answer the following questions:
a. Why was Eleanor Roosevelt famous?
b. Where was Genghis Khan born?
c. Emma Thompson won a BAFTA award for which BBC TV series?

4. Use Bartleby.com: Great books online to find Bartlett’s quotations, then answer the following
questions:
a. Who wrote “Nearer, my God, to Thee”?
b. Who said “England expects every man to do his duty”?
c. Who said “A blessed companion is a book—a book that fitly chosen is a life-long
friend”?
Search Tools
Sometimes you may not be able to find a relevant reference tool on the Web. In this case you
may need a web search tool to help answer your question directly.
There are many millions of sites on the Web, with many more millions of attached pages. A
number of tools have been developed to make it easier to find the desired information. Three
types of tools to consider are subject directories, keyword search engines, and metasearch engines.
Sometimes all three categories are referred to as search engines, and sometimes this term is
reserved for the second category only. In fact, these two types are converging: it is increasingly
common to find subject directories providing a keyword search tool, and for keyword search
engines to provide access to a subject directory. Thus the search engines Google and Yahoo! both
have directories attached.
Subject Directories
Subject directories group websites into subject categories. The categories may then be organized
into hierarchies, or the categories may be listed alphabetically, or in Dewey order.
Subject directories are compiled and maintained by humans—subject specialists, academics,

volunteers. There is usually some effort to evaluate the sites included in the directory.
These tools are useful if you want to investigate a broad topic, rather than find a specific piece of
information. They help you to get a feel for the range of resources available on a topic.
Yahoo! is a hierarchically organized directory (dir.yahoo.com/). To identify sites that provide

information on the type of poetry known as “haiku”, you select the broad Yahoo! category Arts
and Humanities, then Humanities, then Literature, then Poetry, then Poetic forms then Closed
forms, then Haiku. This displays a list of sites devoted to that topic.
This process of moving through narrower categories is sometimes referred to as “drilling down”.
Here is the initial directory screen.
Here is the final screen, which you reach by drilling down through the categories.
Yahoo! also provides a search engine for searching across its categories. In the example above you
can see that there is a choice to search “the Web” or “just this category”.
The Google directory uses similar methods. It may be found at:

http://www.google.com/dirhp
E XER CISE 12.4 - D I RE CT OR IE S

1. Use the Google directory (www.google.com/dirhp), or the Yahoo! Directory (dir.yahoo.com/)
to “drill down” to find WWW resources on the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope.
Write down the hierarchy of Google or Yahoo! categories which led you to the section on the
Hubble Telescope.
2. Use the Yahoo! directory to find information on the art movement Dadaism. Practice using the
“drill down” method, and also using the Yahoo! directory search box to search within the
Yahoo! categories.
3. Use the Yahoo! Australia directory (au.dir.yahoo.com/) to find materials on Australian

Aborigines.
Li mitat i on s of Su bject Direct orie s

The strength of subject directories is also their weakness. Because sites are evaluated and
incorporated by hand, there is a backlog of sites waiting to be listed.
It is not usually clear on what criteria sites are included or rejected. You cannot rely on subject
directories, then, for a comprehensive coverage of your topic.
Subject directories provide only a fraction of the resources available on the Web.
Search Engines
Search engines attempt to index the Web without human intervention.
Search engines rely on a web robot or spider, a program that periodically moves around the Web,
indexing the key words on each page.
Because keyword search engines mechanically index words, not concepts or ideas, a search on a
word such as ”Alzheimer’s” could return you a list of all the pages featuring this word. As there
are reputedly hundreds of millions of documents on the Web, you can imagine the flood you are
likely to receive on this popular topic.
To try to stem this flood it is important to plan how you are going to search. Searchers talk about
a search strategy, that is, a plan to structure and limit the search. U.S. web search experts
sometimes call this “search engine math”. It is also known as “search engine syntax”.
One of the most popular search engines is Google. Google provides two fundamental ways to
search.
In simple search, you type in your query, using the form below:
For advanced search, you use this template:

You should practice using the advanced search. The advanced search gives you many ways to
control the quality of your search results, and prompts you to think of the most appropriate
search strategy for your topic.
For example, to find web pages containing reviews from New Zealand sources of the film Master
and commander:
With the exact phrase With at least one of the

“Master and commander” words “review” “reviews”
Only return results from

the site or domain “.nz”
To achieve the same results with a Google simple search you would have to type in
review OR reviews “master and commander” site:nz
Most people find it difficult to remember how to construct a search like this without the help of a
template.
E XER CISE 12.5 – A DVA NCE D S E AR CHIN G

Go to www.google.com and select the advanced search. Complete the following searches. Use the
template provided with each question to plan your search.
1. I would like brief information about a breed of cattle known as Belted Galloways.
Find res ul ts with all of the words
with the exac t phra se
with a t leas t one of the words
wi tho ut the words
Do main Only return results from the site or domain

e.g. google.com, .org
2. I am looking for a description of the symptoms of someone who has contracted the ebola
virus.
wi tho ut the words

3. I need reliable information on Edwards Syndrome. I need a brief explanation of what it is.
wi tho ut the words

4. Are there Canadian support groups for parents of children with attention deficit disorder?
wi tho ut the words

Other Search Engines

Google is not the only search engine. There are several other excellent search engines available on
the Web, and skilled reference workers will frequently use more than one search engine when
looking for information on a topic.
The University of California Berkeley Library, a major center for advice on web searching,
recommends the following search engines in addition to Google Advanced:
Yahoo1 http://search.yahoo.com/web/advanced
Ask.com http://www.ask.com/webadvanced
In each case, the advanced search is recommended.
For further information see the University of California Berkeley’s “Search the Internet” website:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/search.html
E XER CISE 12.6 – U SI NG S E AR CH E NGI NE S

Practice using the search engines listed above to find information on the topics in Exercise 12.5.
Genera l Sea rch Tips

Different search engines require you to format your search strategies in different ways. The
following is a general guide to alternative ways of formatting your search strategies. However, for
each tool you must use its Search help or Search tips page to find out the correct syntax to use.
Phras e Se arch ing

• Enclose the phrase in double quotation marks
e.g., “phases of the moon”
• Use the search box labeled “exact phrase” or “phrase”
Boolea n A N D
• Use AND as part of the search statement
e.g., snakes AND rabbits
• Use the search box labeled something like “must contain all the words”
• Use + in front of each desired word—e.g., +bells +whistles (note: no space after +)
• The search tool may default to AND
Boolea n O R
• Use OR as part of the search statement
e.g., snakes OR rabbits
• Use the search box labeled something like “contains at least one of the words”
• The search tool may default to OR
Include a Word
To make sure a certain word is included in a search:
• Use +
e.g., +human (note: no space after +)
• Use the search box labeled something like “must contain all the words”
Exc lude a Word

To exclude a certain word from the search:
• Use -
e.g., -human (note: no space after -)
• Use the search box labeled something like “must not contain the word”
Li mit th e Se arch
To limit the search to a particular domain:
• Use domain: in the search statement
e.g., “football injuries” domain:ca
• Use the search box labeled something like “domain”
Li mitat i on s of Ke yw ord Searc h E ngi ne s

There are many keyword search engines, with many different features, and (unfortunately) many
different techniques that the user has to learn. You cannot rely on one engine alone if you are
serious about your research. Because of differences in software, different search engines retrieve
different sets of documents from the same search, with varying degrees of overlap.
For serious research, you can only get thorough coverage by using a number of keyword search
engines. Not only that, you have to read and learn the instructions for each one. It is definitely
worth printing these out.
Metasearch Engines
These search engines transmit your search simultaneously to a list of major keyword search
engines. The results are usually returned very quickly. Some metasearch engines sort the results,
so that duplicates are stripped out, and the remaining list is sorted by relevance.
These features make metasearch engines very attractive. They offer a great saving in time, as they
save you from having to construct and submit a search to many separate search tools. They very
quickly enable you to get a feel for the information that is “out there” on the terms that you
submit.
A good example of a metasearch engine is Dogpile Web Search at

http://www.dogpile.com/
Dogpile also has an advanced search page, but not all of the search engines it draws on may be
compatible with the advanced search techniques it employs.
E XER CISE 12.7 – M ETA SE AR CH E NGI NE S

Using the advanced search techniques in D ogpil e find information on the following topics:
1. The Nuremberg trials
2. Camel trekking in Egypt
3. U.K. material on plagiarism in schools
4. Incidences of Japanese encephalitis in Papua New Guinea
Li mitat i on s of Meta searc h T ools

It is not possible to construct a complex search strategy. You are offered only a few options.
Certain conventions, such as quotation marks around phrases, will not work with some of the
tools searched by the metasearch engine, and you will get some garbage in your results.
For a careful, systematic, and comprehensive search, you will need to search some of the main
stand-alone keyword search engines separately, using the strategies enabled by each of those tools.
Note on URLs
In this chapter we have used the prefix http:// since it is part of the full URL of sites on the
World Wide Web. However, it is increasingly common for it to be omitted when citing URLs,
and we have used this practice in the rest of the book.
Chapter 13
RESEARCHING AND DELIVERING INFORM ATION
The Philosophy of Reference Work

The style and substance of problem-solving and delivering information vary depending on users’
expectations, library policy, and the level of library services. For example, librarians working with
students in school and academic libraries will lead the user through the problem-solving process
to help them to become independent learners. Many public library users also wish to be self-
sufficient, so it is appropriate to talk them through the search process. Information providers in
special libraries often do the research and present the material themselves.
Researching Questions
The steps in problem-solving include:
• task identification
• topic selection
• exploration
• formulation
• collection
• presentation
• evaluation
Well-known models of information-seeking are the works of

• Carol Kuhlthau (Information seeking process)
• Michael Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz (Big6)
• Barbara Stripling and Judy Pitts (Research process)
Information-S eeking M od els

Kuhlthau Eisenberg & Berkowitz Stripling & Pitts
Information Seeking Process Big6 Research Process
1. Initiate task 1. Identify task 1. Choose broad topic

2. Select topic 2. Overview of topic
3. Narrow the topic
3. Formulate focus 2. Information-seeking strategies 4. Develop purpose
4. Explore 5. Formulate question
6. Plan for research
5. Collect 3. Locate and access 7. Analyze, evaluate
. 4. Use information 8. Evaluate evidence
6. Present 5. Synthesize 9. Make conclusions
7. Access 6. Evaluate 10. Create, present
11. Reflect
153
Information literacy includes the ability to access information efficiently, evaluate it critically and
use it accurately and creatively. Social responsibility standards emphasize the importance of
information in a democratic society, and ethical behavior in regard to information. Librarians and
school library specialists incorporate information literacy standards into work with their users.
Delivering the Information

The method of preparing and packaging information will depend on the nature of the inquiry
and the type of library. It may be delivered via email, fax, snail mail, or in person.
School library users often require material found in encyclopedias, journals, or books, on the
library’s shelves or on appropriate Internet sites. Ideally the librarian and teacher work together to
guide the students through the research process. The staff may also prepare reading lists or
bibliographies for students and teachers.
Research library users usually have more specialized needs. Many research libraries enable users to
access the library catalog and resources from their own desks. Librarians may create links or
bookmarks for important Internet sites. They communicate with their users electronically rather
than expecting them to come into the library.
Special library users often ask library staff to search databases to locate information. They give
staff precise instructions on the required information, and expect staff to make judgments about
the quality, reliability, and currency of any material they locate.
Packaging Information
The major factors affecting the way information is packaged are cost, time, and policy or legal
restrictions. Some libraries have documentation relating to the levels of assistance provided to
users and ways of explaining this to users.
Frequently database searches are requested by users who cannot or do not want to do their own
searches. When this service involves an extra charge to the library, the added expense is sometimes
passed on to the user. Corporate libraries frequently have to “charge-back” database searches and
sometimes even staff time on a task.
Often providing the printout or email of the citations and/or full-text articles is sufficient in
delivering information. Typically results are presented in a variety of forms with a combination of
one or more of the following elements: citation, abstract, full-text. Libraries must consider
licensing agreements for databases and copyright restrictions for full-text articles. These
considerations can be complex.
Libraries repackaging information must consider bibliographic format and style manuals. In
general books require the author, title, place of publication, publisher, and date of publication
while periodicals and newspapers require the name of publication, title of article, author (if
applicable), volume, issue, and pages. Each discipline requires a specific style for research articles,
such as The American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA),
and University of Chicago.
There are also repackaging considerations for the order of presentation of a list of resources.
RUSA’s Guidelines for the preparation of bibliographies is a helpful guide.
Chapter 13 RESEARCHING AND DELIVERING INFORMATION 155
Service Points for Inhouse and Remote Users

Some busy libraries provide a tiered service or differentiated services to make the best use of the
reference librarian.
The traditional model for providing reference service is the reference desk. Libraries offering a
tiered service often provide an information desk where directional questions are answered.
Routine reference questions are directed to the traditional reference desk, and research questions
may be handled by appointment. The differentiated services model expands the tiered concept to
include technical assistance and instructional services. Most reference departments provide some
services in each of the categories.
• Directions or general information can be provided by support staff.

• Technical assistance is best provided by “roving” staff available to respond to users positioned
at workstations.
• Reference questions can be addressed at the traditional reference desk.
• Research questions or consultation require longer encounters and should be handled by “on
call” librarians or by appointment.
• Instruction can be handled in a variety of ways. Differentiated services will help to avoid a
bottleneck at a busy reference desk. Many users will not wait at a reference desk for more than
a few minutes. Libraries can anticipate peak times and staff accordingly or have support
available to call when there is a rush.
Technology has expanded the options for providing service to remote users. Telephone reference
has been available in most libraries for many years. Busy reference desks often provided a non-
public workspace for librarians responding to telephone questions. Email, fax, and snail mail
questions are still options for remote users. The most recent service for many libraries is virtual
reference and 24/7 service.
Most public libraries still do telephone research. Larger systems of public libraries are moving to
provide telephone reference though call centers, allowing smaller branches to focus on
programming and readers’ advisory services.
Practice in the research and delivery of reference information is difficult to simulate in a short
exercise. We include optional simulations that require some time to complete.
E XER CISE 13.1

A library user asks you to locate ten books about education in Mexico published in the last five years.
You are to:
• prepare a list of the books giving full citation including author, title, place, publisher and date of
publication
• locate libraries in your state holding copies of these books
• provide details of how much each book costs and whether it is available in hard copy as well as
paperback.
Include the relevant information to meet the user’s requirements and package the information in a
clear, legible style. Describe your search strategy and list the sources you used to find this
information.
E XER CISE 13.2

A library user wants you to locate ten periodical articles on the use of voting machines in elections.
You are to:
• write down the questions you would ask the user to determine exactly what information is
required
• find ten articles on this topic
• include the relevant information to meet the user’s requirements
• package the information in a clear, legible style
• describe your search strategy
• list the sources you used to find this information.
E XER CISE 13.3

A library user needs recent statistics on the numbers of United States citizens who travel overseas.
You are to:
• write down the questions to ask the user to determine exactly what information is required
• find statistics on this topic
• include the relevant information to meet the user’s requirements
• package the information in a clear, legible style
• describe your search strategy
• list the sources you used to find this information.
E XER CISE 13.4

Work with a fellow student or colleague to conduct a role-play. One will be the reference person and
the other will be a user who requires an annotated list of references on a particular topic.
• interview the user to establish their requirements
• prepare and package the information
• follow a recognized citation style such as American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern
Language Association (MLA)
• present the information clearly and legibly.
Chapter 13 RESEARCHING AND DELIVERING INFORMATION 157
E XER CISE 13.5

Consider the following situations. Describe how to handle each request and how to package the
information to suit the user’s needs.
1. A child comes into a public library and asks for information on earthquakes.
2. An adult comes into a public library and asks for information on earthquakes.
3. An adult comes into a special geological library and asks for information on earthquakes.
Chapter 14
EVALUATION
How Good is the Ref erence S ervi ce?

Evaluation of reference should consider services, collections and staff. There are ways to evaluate
each, in order to provide excellence.
Services Evaluation
User feedback on the range and quality of services can be obtained by surveys, questionnaires,
interviews, and focus groups. Libraries should remember non-users when getting input. RUSA
established Guidelines of information services in 1990 and revised them in 2000. The Guidelines
are statements related to reference services in the areas of services, resources, access, personnel,
evaluation, and ethics.
Resource Evaluation
Assessing materials is an aspect of collection management closely related to reference services. A
quality reference collection contains useful, up-to-date resources. Checking standard lists of
recommended materials is helpful in choosing and evaluating resources.
Criteria for selecting reference materials are addressed in the introductory chapter. De-selection,
or weeding, involves many of the same elements. Many reference titles are updated on a regular
schedule depending on budgets and user needs. Maintaining current electronic and print
reference tools is essential.
Allocating funds for personnel is part of resource evaluation. Scheduling appropriate numbers of
staff for the reference desk is essential. Providing enough workstations, photocopy machines,
email access, and other equipment also relates to the reference service. Although good reference
service may be provided in poor facilities, the building, space allocation, and arrangement make a
strong impression on user perceptions.
Staff Evaluation
Evaluation of the performance of the reference staff is another consideration. Competencies for
excellence have been identified by RUSA, Professional competencies for reference and user services
librarians. The competencies focus on the “abilities, skills, and knowledge that make the reference
and user services librarians unique from other professionals”. The document identifies goals and
strategies:
• Access—develop responsiveness to users; provide organization and design of services to meet
the needs of the community; and employ critical thinking and analysis of information sources
and services
• Knowledge Base—conduct environmental scanning to update developments in reference and
user services; use new knowledge to enhance reference practices; share expertise with
colleagues; contribute to improving professional practice through projects and independent
learning
• Marketing/Awareness/Informing—assess reference services; communicate reference services;
and evaluate marketing efforts and information services
159
• Collaboration—partner with user in seeking information; collaborate with colleagues to

provide quality service; establish relations within the profession; maintain professional
partnerships beyond the library
• Evaluation and Assessment of Resources and Service—survey users; assess information
services; evaluate resources; determine technology needs; consider options in format, access,
and presentation; and measure staff performance.
An excellent reference staff is one that is focused on improving continuing education,

participating in associations, attending conferences, learning new resources, and practicing
retrieval skills. Interaction with users can be evaluated and improved through peer review, self-
evaluation, role-playing, and team coaching.
Reference transactions can be evaluated by obtrusive or unobtrusive techniques. Obtrusive

measures include user surveys, questionnaires, interviews, observations and statistics. Unobtrusive
evaluation can be accomplished by sending “secret shoppers” to ask questions to be measured for
correct and complete answers.
Unobtrusive evaluations received attention in the early 1980s when studies showed that only
55% of reference questions were being answered correctly and completely. The knowledge and
skills of the librarians were not usually the problem. The major problem was that communication
between staff and user contributed to a failure to “completely answer the question”. RUSA first
issued Guidelines for behavioral performance of reference and information services professionals in
1996. An update is in progress.
Forms
Most reference departments maintain some records to measure how busy they are, or to justify
staffing levels. Often libraries have a printed form to record the number of questions. Some use a
form to record the details of a search such as the sources used, the time taken to answer the
inquiry and whether the search was successful.
In an ideal situation, reference staff should record all details of an information search and
maintain appropriate statistics of these enquiries. The types of record vary with different types of
library. We include several forms with different approaches.
Chapter 14 EVALUATION 161
E XER CISE 14.1 – R E FE RE N CE S TA TIS TI CS

Look at the reference statistics sheets on the next 3 pages and fill in the table below.
1. What information is being collected?

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
2. What are the benefits of this form?

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
3. What are the problems with this form?

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
4. Which form do you like best and why?

Example 1—A Public Library

REFERENCE AND DIRECTIONAL STATISTICS
Library Day Date
Reference Questions Directional Questions

Example Water conservation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Total Total
Staff member Supervisor

Example 2—An Academic Library
REFERENCE QUESTIONS
Month
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday TOTAL

Up to 3 minutes
Over 3 minutes

Up to 3 minutes
Over 3 minutes

Up to 3 minutes
Over 3 minutes

Up to 3 minutes
Over 3 minutes
Example 3—A University Library
REFERENCE QUESTIONS
Date: Date:
Location: Location:
Time period: Time period:
Less than 2 minutes Less than 2 minutes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 10 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 10
0 0
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Between 2 and 10 minutes Between 2 and 10 minutes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
More than 10 minutes More than 10 minutes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E XER CISE 14.2 – R EFER EN CE S TA TI STI CS


Example 4
Example 5
Example 6

Example 4
Example 5
Example 6

Example 4
Example 5
Example 6

Example 4—A Special Library
REFERENCE QUESTION
Date:
Name:
Organization:
Address:
Telephone number: Fax: email:
Estimated date required by:
Details of inquiry:
Sources checked: [ ] Catalog [ ] WorldCat

[ ] Internet [ ] Other
Result/response:
User: Form of response:

[ ] Internal [ ] Face-to-face comment
[ ] External [ ] Letter
[ ] Government [ ] Suggestion box note
[ ] Student [ ] Fax
[ ] Researcher [ ] Telephone
[ ] Business [ ] Email
[ ] Media
[ ] Other
Date completed:
Signature:
Example 5—An Information Center
INFORMATION REQUEST FORM

Name:
Branch: Section:
Location:
Telephone number: Fax number:
Date of request: Date information required by:
Information required:
This information is required for:
Types of information wanted (Please circle the ones you are interested in):
Journal articles / Books / Videos/DVDs / Internet sites / Other (Please specify):
Time period to be searched (e.g., last five years):
Geographic areas (e.g., Texas only; U.S. only)
DATE COMPLETED: COMPLETED BY: TIME SPENT:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Name
Telephone number
Division Branch
Section Location
Date received Date required
Received by Handled by
Request statement
Key words
Retrospective Current
Manual Electronic
From (year) ILL
Search (including sources with comments)

E XER CISE 14.3 – R EFER EN CE S T ATI ST I CS


Example 7
Example 8
Example 9

Example 7
Example 8
Example 9

Example 7
Example 8
Example 9

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES SEARCH PROFILE

Name:
Division:
Telephone:
The search topic:
Suggested keywords:
Any known significant references:
Preferred form of output (hard copy, email, other):
Signed:
Date:
ELECTRONIC SEARCH REQUEST FORM
Name: Telephone:
Section: Date:
Narrative description of topic:
Date required:
Known authors:
Known Papers or Articles: (list on reverse)
Types of Materials of Interest: All If not “All,” please specify:
Articles: Reports: Patents: Conference papers:
Standards and specifications: Other:
Languages of Interest: All
If not “All,” please specify those of interest:
Years to be covered (only if such a limit is necessary):
How many relevant items do you think might be found?
Maximum amount of time to be spent:
Maximum amount of money to be spent (if applicable):


ELECTRONIC SEARCH REQUEST
Name:
Section: Location:
Date: Date search required by:
Short title of search:
Years to be covered:
English only? [ ] Yes [ ] No Other languages:
Abstracts required (if available)
Suggested databases:
REQUEST STATEMENT
Please describe subject of search as fully as possible. Define ambiguous or specialized terms. List keywords. List
known authors, organizations or journals of particular interest:
Please note any aspects of the topic NOT wanted:
LIBRARY USE ONLY

ANSWERS
There is often more than one source suitable for answering a reference inquiry. Sources given
should be treated as examples only.
E XER CISE 1.2

1. ready reference or research depending on how much information the patron wants
2. readers’ advisory
3. directional
4. ready reference or research
5. research
7. instruction
8. ready reference or research depending on how much information the patron wants. Make sure the
patron is not in need of medical treatment
9. ready reference
10. directional
11. ready reference
13. research
14. directional
15. ready reference
16. instruction
17. ready reference
18. ready reference
19. ready reference
20. research
E XER CISE 1.3

1. Your only requirement is to identify the relevant materials, if any, held by the library, and, if they are
insufficient, to identify any materials which may legitimately be requested on interlibrary loan, and any
other information agencies which the client could legitimately approach.
2. Your best response would be to point out the range of atlases held by your library, the qualities the
library looks for in an atlas, and the recommendations contained in atlas buying guides, and guides to
reference works. Invite the client to look at the library’s atlases and find the publications which best suits
his or her needs. If you have had a lot of supervised reference experience with atlases why not point out
the strengths and weaknesses you have found in various atlases. If you are unsure about any of this,
why not ask a more experienced staff member to run through some of the issues?
3. You should refer the client to the legal section of your library's collection and assist the client to identify
relevant material.
4. You should inform the client about the copyright legislation which would or would not allow him or her to
copy the three chapters. There should be a notice near the library’s copiers outlining the fair use or fair
dealing provisions of the copyright legislation.
173
E XER CISE 2.3

1. an atlas or gazetteer; clue—information about a place (also almanac and encyclopedia
2. an almanac; clue—information about the calendar
3. an encyclopedia; clue—information about an historical event
4. a dictionary of initialisms; clue—information on initials or acronyms
5. a biographical dictionary; clue— information about a person
6. a dictionary of antonyms; clue—information on an antonym
7. a biographical dictionary; clue—information about people
8. an atlas or gazetteer; clue—information about a place
9. a business directory; clue—information about a business
10. a style manual; clue—information on writing style
11. a bibliography or library catalog; clue—information about books
12. a children's encyclopedia; clue—information relating to a child's interests
13. periodical index or database; clue—information about articles
14. a statistical yearbook; clue—information on statistics
15. a bibliography or library catalog; clue—information about books
16. a business directory; clue—information about companies
17. a government directory; clue—information about government
18. an encyclopedia; clue—information relating to school work
19. a yearbook, encyclopedia, almanac or gazetteer; clue—information about a country
20. an encyclopedia; clue—you do not have a particular name to search so a biographical directory is no
use. Try a general encyclopedia.
E XER CISE 3.2

The correct spellings are:
graffiti anomaly
diphtheria accommodate
proceed receive
consensus rhythm
commitment preceding
E XER CISE 3.6

1. a science dictionary
2. a general dictionary
3. a dictionary of phrases
4. a dictionary of slang
5. a medical dictionary
6. dictionary of usage
7. a dictionary of synonyms; a thesaurus
8. a dictionary of acronyms
9. a dictionary based on historical principles
10. a scientific dictionary
11. a dictionary of synonyms; a thesaurus
12. a dictionary based on historical principles
13. an American dictionary
14. a dictionary of slang
15. a dictionary of abbreviations
16. a Spanish dictionary
17. a dictionary of usage
18. a dictionary of quotations
19. a general English dictionary
20. a medical dictionary
ANSWERS 175
E XER CISE 3.7

1. mind, psyche, mentality
a thesaurus such as Roget’s thesaurus of English words and phrases
2. network of nerves situated behind the stomach that supply the abdominal organs
a dictionary such as Collins concise dictionary
3. 1562
a dictionary such as Shorter Oxford English dictionary
4. a deep purplish red
a dictionary such as Webster’s third new International dictionary
5. drunk or drug intoxicated; mentally exhausted
a dictionary of slang such as New Partridge dictionary of slang and unconventional English
6. “How would you find him for a son-in-law?”
a dictionary based on historical principles such as Shorter Oxford English dictionary
7. imaginary means not real; imaginative means inventive, original
a dictionary of usage such as Fowler’s modern English usage
8. an electrical instrument which sums up the value of the quantity measured with respect to time
a science dictionary such as Chambers science and technology dictionary
9. FERPA= Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
a dictionary of acronyms such as Dictionary of acronyms and abbreviations
10. a sailor’s short, heavy woolen overcoat
a general dictionary such as American heritage dictionary or Random House dictionary or Webster’s
third new international dictionary
11. a type of high-backed rocking chair
a general or unabridged dictionary such as Webster’s third new international dictionary
12. ascension, lift, upward motion, gaining height
a thesaurus such as Roget’s thesaurus of English words and phrases
13. bureaux
a dictionary of usage such as Fowler’s modern English usage
14. an orange to brown gum resin from southeast Asian trees; a strong yellow
a general dictionary such as Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary
15. domani—Italian
an Italian dictionary such as Cassell’s Italian-English, English-Italian dictionary
morgen—German
a German dictionary such as Cassell’s German-English, English-German dictionary
16. to get or buy something on hire purchase
a dictionary of phrases such as Brewer’s dictionary of phrase and fable
17. rire
a French dictionary such as Cassell’s French-English, English-French dictionary
18. the technical name of a “cold in the head”
a medical dictionary such as Black’s medical dictionary
19. Lord Byron - described by Lady Caroline Lamb.
a book of quotations such as Oxford dictionary of quotations
20. Ned Ludd, an English laborer who was supposed to have destroyed weaving machinery with other
British workers resisting change (1811-1816)
a general dictionary such as American heritage dictionary or Webster’s third new international
dictionary
E XER CISE 4.6

1. a general encyclopedia
2. a general encyclopedia suitable for children
5. an American encyclopedia
6. a scientific encyclopedia
7. an encyclopedia with detailed information
10. a Canadian encyclopedia
12. a general encyclopedia suitable for children
14. an encyclopedia of the social sciences
16. an encyclopedia with detailed information
20. an Australian encyclopedia
E XER CISE 4.7

1. She was the first woman to make a solo flight from England to Australia
a general encyclopedia such as World Book encyclopedia
2. a general encyclopedia such as Encyclopedia Americana
3. Sir Howard Florey and Ernst B. Chain
a general encyclopedia such as World Book encyclopedia
4. It is the second largest town in Zambia
a general encyclopedia such as The new Encyclopaedia Britannica
5. a general encyclopedia or International encyclopedia of the social sciences
6. a general encyclopedia such as Encyclopedia Americana
7. a subject encyclopedia such as Dictionary of art
8. a general encyclopedia such as World Book encyclopedia
9. an encyclopedia of library and information science such as Encyclopedia of library and information
science (Drake)
10. Aix-la-Chapelle
a general encyclopedia such as The new Encyclopaedia Britannica
11. a subject encyclopedia such as Dictionary of art
12. a general encyclopedia such as The new Encyclopaedia Britannica
13. an American encyclopedia such as Encyclopedia Americana
14. a social sciences encyclopedia such as International encyclopedia of the social sciences
15. a science encyclopedia such as McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology
16. a detailed encyclopedia such as The new Encyclopaedia Britannica
17. It commemorates the alliance of 1778 between France and the U.S.
an American encyclopedia such as Encyclopedia Americana
19. an American encyclopedia such as Encyclopedia Americana
E XER CISE 5.2

1. a statistical yearbook such as Statistical abstract of the United States
2. a yearbook such as Europa world year book
3. a almanac or yearbook such as World almanac or Statesman’s yearbook
8. a yearbook such as Statesman’s yearbook
9. an almanac or yearbook such as Time Almanac or Statesman’s yearbook
11. an almanac or yearbook such as Statesman’s yearbook or World almanac
ANSWERS 177
12. an almanac or yearbook such as World almanac or Europa world year book
13. an almanac such as World almanac
14. a handbook of mythology or an almanac
15. a handbook of communication
16. an almanac such as Time almanac
17. Europa world year book
18. an almanac such as World almanac
20. an almanac or yearbook such as World almanac
E XER CISE 5.3

2. Washington, D.C.
a yearbook such as Statesman’s yearbook
3. plants, vegetables and orchid flowers
a yearbook such as Europa world year book
4. a yearbook such as Far East and Australasia or Europa world year book
5. dates, tomatoes, bananas, watermelon and onions
6. 2,222 (currently)
7. Wisma Nugra Santana, 9th Floor, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman 8, Jakarta
a yearbook such as Far East and Australasia or Europa world year book
8. a style manual or almanac
9. Kimigayo
Statesman’s yearbook
10. Guinness book of world records
11. World almanac or Europa world year book or Statesman’s yearbook
12. World almanac
13. World almanac
14. World almanac or Europa world year book
15. a style manual or almanac such as World almanac
16. a yearbook or almanac such as Europa world year book, Statesman’s yearbook or World almanac
17. an almanac
18. Bowker annual
19. Bowker annual
20. World almanac
E XER CISE 6.2

1. Yes
2. Eleanor Gow
3. Marie Rosalie (Rosa) Bonheur
4. Sir Edmund Hillary
E XER CISE 6.4

1. a biographical dictionary of filmmakers
2. a biographical dictionary for the medical profession
3. a biographical dictionary of the dead
4. a general biographical dictionary
5. an international biographical dictionary of the dead
6. a biographical dictionary of musicians
7. a British biographical dictionary of the living such as Who’s who
8. an American biographical dictionary of the living

10. a British biographical dictionary of the living
14. an international biographical dictionary of the living
18. a British biographical dictionary of the living such as Who’s who
20. an American biographical dictionary of the living such as Current biography
E XER CISE 6.5

1. 1492
2. 1871-1874
Oxford dictionary of national biography
3. 1975
4. Hercules
Who’s who
5. International who’s who of women
6. 1714-1785
Encyclopedia of world biography or Webster’s biographical dictionary
7. Tenzing
Chambers biographical dictionary or others
8. Yes—sewing, drawing and catching up with letters
Who’s who or International who’s who
9. 1887-1942
10. a Polish astronomer and the founder of modern astronomy
11. Melbourne
12. University of Maine
13. 1770 in Bonn
14. Une Visite (1955)
International dictionary of films and filmmakers; Volume 2 Directors
15. A special act of the legislature.
Dictionary of Canadian biography
16. Madrid, Spain Auto mechanic
Current biography
17. Who’s Who in the Twentieth Century or New Groves Dictionary of Jazz.
18. Lucerne
International who’s who of women
19. Bournville
Dictionary of world biography or Dictionary of national biography
20. University of Chicago and Columbia University
ANSWERS 179
E XER CISE 7.2

The answers were found in a general atlas such as Times atlas of the world
1. Parana, Brazil
2. Fairborn, USA
3. Storvik, Sweden
4. Strasbourg. France
5. Malaut, India
6. Engan, Norway
7. Benevento, Italy
8. Minyip, Australia
9. Mobara, Japan
10. Marys Harbour, Canada
E XER CISE 7.3

1. MapQuest or a local map
2. general atlas
3. thematic map
4. star map or celestial map
5. historical atlas or historical map
6. general atlas
7. general atlas
8. relief map
9. place names book
10. city map
E XER CISE 8.2

1. Qun G. Jiao, Sharon L. Bostick
2. John Grisham
3. 0585091587 (electronic book); 156308130X (cloth); 1563081296 (paper)
4. Houghton Mifflin
5. Susanne Bradley, Global warming
6. Searching and researching on the Internet and the World Wide Web
7. Crown Publishers
8. 2004
9. John Dunning
10. Yes
E XER CISE 8.3

1. 550
2. Economics
3. B’s
4. 510
5. 390’s
6. R’s
7. Public library: 540’s and academic library: Q’s
8. N
9. R
10. 590’s
E XER CISE 9.2

1. a directory of colleges and universities
2. a directory of newspapers such as Gale directory of publications & broadcast media
3. a directory of associations such as Encyclopedia of associations
4. an almanac
5. an almanac
6. an almanac
8. an almanac or yearbook
9. an almanac
10. an almanac
12. a directory of libraries such as American library directory
13. a directory of colleges and universities
15. International literary marketplace
16. a directory of museums
17. a directory of libraries
18. a directory of directories
19. International literary marketplace
E XER CISE 9.3

Specific answers are not given when answers are likely to change frequently.
1. World of learning
2. Gale directory of publications & broadcast media
3. Ulrich’s periodicals directory
4. 4070 Rue Saint-Hubert, Montreal, Qc H2l4a8
World of learning
5. Who owns whom
6. 1971
Encyclopedia of associations
7. Gran Via de les Cortes Catalanes 585, 08007, Barcelona, Spain
World of learning
8. 552,085 (2006)
Gale directory of publications & broadcast media
9. Directory of higher education
10. (21) 637-46-11
World of learning
11. Yes. $25 annually
Directories in print
13. Yes. Updated annually
Directories in print
14. World of learning
15. (519) 688-6397
Gale directory of publications & broadcast media
17. Research centers directory
18. (202) 707-0269
Washington information directory
19. Electron microscopy center at Washington State University
Research centers directory
20. Bowker annual (a handbook)
ANSWERS 181
E XER CISE 11.1

1. C—Commerce Department
2. NAS—National Aeronautical and Space Administration
3. NS—National Science Foundation
4. D—Defense Department
5. I—Interior Department
6. SI—Smithsonian Institution
7. A—Agriculture
8. ED—Education Department
9. Y—Congressional Publication
10. PREX—Executive Office of the President
E XER CISE 11.2

1. Official congressional directory
2. Social security handbook
3. Catalog of U.S. government publications or Monthly catalog of United States government publications
4. AGRICOLA database
5. U.S. census
6. Thomas website
7. Crime in the United States
8. ERIC database
9. PubMed or MEDLINE
10. Background notes or Country studies
E XER CISE 11.4

1. Search the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.c). for “family violence”. Search under
“Publications”. Select the reference entitled Family violence in Canada: a statistical profile.
2. Search the Canada site at (canada.ca). Click “English”. Then search under “Departments and Agencies”.
Click on “F”. Choose “Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade”. Choose “Ministers” under
“About the Department”. Peter Gordon MacKay.
3. Search the Health Canada Home Page (www.hc-sc.gc. ca). Click “Search for”. Under “Enter search
terms” enter “avian flu”. There are links to several articles about the subject. A general one that you
might select is “Avian influenza (Bird flu)”. The URL for the article is: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dc-
ma/avia/index_e.html.
4. Search the website of the Ontario Ministry of government services at www.mgs.gov.on.ca/. Select
“English”. Scroll down to “Popular topics”. Select “Starting a business”.
5. Search the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.ca). Select Population and demography, then Ethnic
origin. Select “Population by selected ethnic origins, by province and territory (2001 Census)”.
6. Search the quasi government website of LEGISinfo (www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/) Choose “39th

Parliament “ and follow the links to C-282.
7. Search the Government of Alberta’s Alberta Public Service website at www.pao.gov.ab.ca/jobs
8. Search the website of the Museum of Civilization (www. civilization.ca) Follow the links to “Educational
and teacher resources”, then “Resources for educators” , then “Teaching”. On the page “Educators –
Teaching” scroll down until you find the resource entitled “Mysteries of Egypt, Teachers guide”.
9. Search the home page of Human Resources and Social Development Canada at
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml. Scroll down until you find “How do I…”. Choose a subject from the
pull down menu such as “…obtain information on Disability benefits?” or “…obtain information on the
Canada Pension Plan?” Click “Find” and you will be taken to one or other of the information sites.
10. Search the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.ca). Select “English”. In the “Search the site” line at
the top of the page, search for “teaching profession trends”. Choose the article “The teaching
profession: trends from 1999 to 2005”.
E XER CISE 12.1

1. Gramophone, a UK company
2. The United Nations
3. The New York Times
E XER CISE 12.3

2a. Goddess of wild animals, etc
Use one of the resources listed under Mythology, or under Encyclopaedias & Factfinders
2b. Federal Emergency Management Agency

Use one of the resources listed under Acronyms
2c. Sunday
Use one of the resources listed under Calendars
2d. Use a gazetteer listed under Gazetteers & Maps in Geographical & Country Resources
2e. Use one of the general resources listed under Geographical & Country Resources, e.g., The CIA world
factbook
3a. She was a U.S. First Lady
3b. Temujin
3c. Fortunes of War
4a. Sarah Flower Adams
4b. Horatio Nelson
4c. Douglas Jerrold
E XER CISE 12.4

1. Science Astronomy Research Observatories Telescopes Space-Based Hubble Space
Telescope
ANSWERS 183
E XER CISE 12.5

Some strategies are suggested below. There may be other appropriate strategies, as web searching is not
an exact science! You often need to experiment to come up with the best strategy.
1. Belted Galloways in exact phrase

2. symptoms in “with all of the words” and ebola virus in exact phrase
3. Edwards syndrome in exact phrase and either .gov or .edu in domain
4. attention deficit disorder in exact phrase, and parents support in “with all the words”, and .ca in
domain.
E XER CISE 14.1

1. Example 1: collecting information on the total number of reference questions and of directional
questions in one day. Also includes a brief description of the topic of the reference questions.
Example 2: collecting total number of reference questions each day for a month.
Example 3: collecting total number of reference questions for 2 days.
2. Example 1: Benefits—clear layout, can trace who answered the questions.

Example 2: Benefits—fits one month on a sheet so economical use of paper.
Example 3: Benefits— easy to fill in because you just cross out a number.
3. Example 1: Problems—no indication of how long the questions took or who wanted the information.
Only one day on a sheet so would use lots of paper.
Example 2: Problems—not much room to write in. Only breaks questions into 2 categories—does not
allow for longer questions.
Example 3: Problems—cluttered layout. Uses lots of paper.
E XER CISE 14.2

1. Example 4: collecting details of one inquiry including who wants the information, details of the inquiry,
which sources were checked and how the library responded.
Example 5: collecting details of who wants the information, the information required and why it is
required and the type of information wanted including time period and geographic areas.
Example 6: collecting details of who wants the information, a request statement including suggested
key words and comments on the search and sources used.
2. Example 4: Benefits—includes a lot of information so easy to analyze who requested the information
and which sources are used most frequently.
Example 5: Benefits—narrows down the type of information required. Includes time spent on search.
Example 6: Benefits—asking for key words would help to narrow down the search. It is helpful to
include comments on the search in case you receive a similar request in the future.
3. Example 4: Problems—would take a long time to complete.

Example 5: Problems—would take a long time to complete.
E XER CISE 14.3

1. Example 7: collecting information on online and CD-ROM search.
Example 8: collecting information on online and CD-ROM search.
Example 9: collecting information on online and CD-ROM search.
2. Example 7: Benefits—asks for a general description of the search and also suggested keywords and any
known significant references.
Example 8: Benefits—allows for a narrative description of the search and asks for lots of detail on the
type of information required. Includes the amount of time and money to be spent.
Example 9: Benefits—asks for a short title of the search and also a more detailed description. Includes
space for any aspects of the topic not wanted.
3. Example 7: Problems—does not include when the information is required by.

Example 8: Problems—would take a long time to complete. You would probably need to guide the user
through the responses.
G LOSSA RY
This glossary contains the main terms used in the book. For a comprehensive glossary, see
Mortimer, Mary, LibrarySpeak: a glossary of terms in librarianship and information management.
abbreviati on A shortened form of a word

abridg ed Shortened version
abstra ct A summary of the essential points of an article or literary work; may be indicative,
informative, or critical
abstra cting s ervi ce A bibliographic service that provides summaries of periodical articles,
conference papers and chapters of edited books
acad emi c li brary A library serving the information needs of the students and staff of a university
or college
access The ability of a user to connect with information resources physically and/or
intellectually
acq uisitions Selecting, ordering, receiving, and processing new materials for the library
collection; the department responsible for the acquisitions; these materials
acrony m A word formed from the initials of the name of an organization, system or service
adjacen cy An indication of how close words are together in a string; see also proximity
almanac 1. An annual calendar with astronomical information and other data. 2. A miscellany of
useful facts and statistical information
analytical ent ry An entry for a part of a publication—e.g., part of a collection of works
including anthology, essays, chapters, or articles
annotation A note of explanation or comment
annual Once a year
annual rep ort An official publication reviewing the activities of an organization for a year
annual revi ew A publication which reviews the literature or current research on a topic for a year
antonym The opposite of—eg ‘good’ is the antonym of ‘bad’. Cf synonym
AP A styl e A format for citing sources used in the social sciences established by the American
Psychological Association (APA)
appendi x Complementary material added at the end of a written work; appendices (plural)
articl e A contribution to a serial written by one or more authors
asynchron ous Occurring at different times; the opposite of real time
atlas A volume of maps or charts with or without explanations
aut hor The person chiefly responsible for the intellectual or artistic content of a work—e.g.,
writer of a book, compiler of a bibliography, composer of a musical work, artist, photographer
auto biogra phy The story of a person’s life written by him/herself
BI See bibliographic instruction
biannual Twice a year
bibliograp hi c Related to books or other library materials
bibliograp hi c citati on A short description of an item. Elements for books include author, title,
place of publication, publisher, and date; elements for periodical articles include author, article
title, publication name, date, volume, issue, and pages
185
bibliograp hi c contr ol The creation, organization, and management of records to describe items
held in libraries or databases, and to facilitate user access to those items
bibliograp hi c instr u ction Helping people to derive the most benefit from using a library
bibliograp hi c veri fica tion Confirming publication facts for an item including author, title,
publisher, place of publication, dates, etc.
bibliograp hy A list of related library materials or resources, usually subject-related; separate
publication or part of a book
bibliom etri cs The use of statistics to study the usage of materials and library services
bibliot h erapy A personalized reader’s advisory using reading as an aid to helping users with
problems; requires special training in psychology and/or counseling
biennial Every two years
bilingual Fluent in or dealing with two languages
bimont hly Every other month; six per year
biograp hi cal di ctionary Also biographical directory. A listing of people, usually in alphabetical
order of surname, providing information about the person such as dates, titles, birthplace, family,
education, and career
biograp hy 1. A written account of a person’s life. 2. The branch of literature concerned with
individual lives
boo kmar kin g Making a link to an Internet site so that you can return to it later
Bool ean logi c Use of the terms ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘not’ to formulate online search commands, to
represent any logical possibility
Bool ean o pera tors Words (AND, OR, and NOT) used in the formulation of search strategies
for the retrieval of online information. AND: retrieves only items with both terms. OR: retrieves
items with either term. NOT: retrieves items with one term and not the other
broad er t erm A concept used in subject analysis and thesaurus or controlled vocabulary
construction to indicate a hierarchical relationship; a term higher in the classification; more
general; see also narrower term and related term
brows e 1. To examine a collection of library materials in an unsystematic way. 2. To look
through a list of names, subjects etc., rather than going straight to a particular term
BT See broader term
bull etin A publication of an organization with information for members and/or users
call n um ber A number on a library item consisting of a classification number, a book number,
and often a location symbol
cart ograp hy The study of maps and map making
catal og A list or database of library materials in a collection, a library or a group of libraries,
arranged according to some definite plan
catal oging -in-p ubli cati on CIP. Cataloging data produced by the national library or other
agency of the country of publication, included in the work when it is published
CD- ROM Compact Disc Read-Only Memory. A computer disc on which data is recorded and
read using a laser. CD-ROM discs provide very large storage for computer programs and data,
including audio, video and graphics
censors hip Prohibition against publishing or distributing material that is considered
objectionable for social, political, religious or other reasons; see also intellectual freedom
cha rg e A record of a loan of library materials
cha rging des k See loans desk
cha t ref eren ce Electronic reference communication in real time
CIP See cataloging in publication
GLOSSARY 187
cir cula tion d es k The place in the library where materials are checked out; generally near the
door
citati on Reference to a text or part of a text from which a passage is quoted, or to a source
regarded as an authority for a statement or argument
citati on ind ex A list of articles that, after the appearance of the original article, refer to or cite
that article
citati on p earl growin g A technique in database searching for expanding citations by linking
from terms in a relevant article
classifi cati on A system for organizing information by some system often by subject such as
Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Classification
classifi ed catalo g A catalog of records arranged in order according to the classification system
such as Dewey Decimal Classification or Library of Congress Classification
clien t 1. A person who is served by an information agency. 2. In a network, a personal computer
that requests information or applications from the network server
colla tion The physical description of an information item such as a book, indicating the number
of volumes, pages, illustrations, format, size, etc.
col op hon A note at the end of the text or on the verso of the title page, identifying printing
details such as the printer’s name, font type and size, paper, binding, logo, etc.
co mpa ct dis c r ead -only memory See CD-ROM
co mpendiu m An outline or condensed form of the work
competency The specification of the knowledge and skill and the application of that knowledge
and skill to the standard of performance required in employment
con cis e Short or brief
con co rdan ce An alphabetical index of the important words in a book, or the works of an author,
with references to the phrases and passages in the text
con fer en ce pro ceedings The published papers given at a conference
con fid entiality Respect for the individual’s privacy; law in most states and provinces protects
confidentiality of library records
con ten ts pag e The page at the front of a book or serial which lists the contents in the order in
which they appear; see also parts of a book
con troll ed vo cab ulary Terms found in an authoritative list of terms—e.g., Library of Congress
Subject Headings, a database thesaurus
copy rig ht The exclusive right given by law to authors, composers or publishers to sell, reproduce
or publish a work during a stated period of time. It is a form of protection for works, such as
novels and journal articles, which result from the skill and labor of a creator, and for other subject
matter which results from the investment of a producer, such as a film
copy rig ht n oti ce The copyright symbol with the year of publication, copyright holder, and
phrase “all rights reserved,” placed on the verso of the title page
cros s refer en ce Direction from one term or entry to another
cu rren cy Up-to-dateness
cu rren t awar eness b ull etin A publication provided by a library to keep users up-to-date with
information in their interest areas
cu rren t awaren ess s ervice A service provided by a library to keep users up-to-date with
information in their interest areas
databas e A collection of records, usually in machine-readable format, each record being the
required information about one item
dedica tion A personal choice of the author to devote the work to a person or persons; usually
found after the title page; see also parts of a book
dep osito ry library A library designated to receive all or a portion of the government
publications produced by the U.S. Government Printing Office or the Government of Canada
derivati on Tracing a word to its source or root
des crip tion Information about a work that can be derived from the work itself, including title,
statement of responsibility, edition, publication details, physical description, series, and ISBN
des crip tive Records words in a dictionary as they are used (and misused) without passing
judgment. Cf prescriptive
des crip tor The term often used in electronic databases for subject headings, terms, or controlled
vocabulary; often indicated in the record as the DE field
dicti onary An alphabetically arranged publication containing information about words,
meanings, derivations, spelling, pronunciation, syllabication and usage
diff er entiat ed s ervi ce See tiered service
digest An abridgment or condensed version
digital library A library containing machine-readable materials
directi onal inquir y A question about where something is located
direct ory A list of names of residents, organizations or firms in a city, region, country or
internationally, providing various details such as addresses, telephone numbers, email, fax; a list of
members of a particular profession or trade
discussion gro up See newsgroup
disinterm ediati on Delivery of information without the help (mediation) of a librarian
do cu men t d elivery The physical or electronic delivery of documents, usually articles, on request
domain na m e The address for a specific site on the Internet. The three parts of the domain name
are the protocol (e.g., www), the institution or organization (e.g., ala=American Library
Association), and the domain code indicating the type of entity (e.g., org=organization,
edu=education, gov=government). Countries outside the United States use a country code at the
end—e.g., ca=Canada
downl oad To transfer a file from another computer to one’s own computer
e-b oo k Electronic book. A digital (machine-readable) book
editi on All the copies of a work produced from the same original
edit or Person who prepares another person's work for publication
e-j our nal Electronic journal; also called e-zine
email Electronic mail. A method of sending and receiving messages electronically
en crypti on A process of coding sensitive electronic material being transmitted via public
channels to make it more secure
en cyclop edia Also encyclopaedia (Canadian, British, Australian spelling). A systematic summary
of significant knowledge; a summary of the knowledge of one subject. Usually arranged
alphabetically
end user The person who will be using the results of the information search
ep hemera Materials such as pamphlets, flyers, and clippings of interest for a short time
epilo gu e Statement at the end of a work
epony m A word based on a person's name, e.g., Braille, Wellington boot
e-r es erv e Electronic reserve. Item on reserve in an academic library available online
errata A list of errors found after the book was printed; printed separately and “tipped in,” or
pasted in, at the beginning of the book; erratum (singular form of the word)
et hics Rules of behavior or conduct
GLOSSARY 189
ety mol ogy The derivation of a word, its origin and history
Ex cit e A service which locates information on the World Wide Web
ex haus tivity The level to which the content is described for retrieval
fair d ealing The concept in Canadian copyright law that allow users to make single copies of
portions of works for "research and private study". Cf fair use
fair use The concept in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted
material without permission, such as for scholarship or review. Cf fair dealing
false drop An irrelevant entry retrieved in database searching when using keywords
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions. Answers to commonly asked questions; usually on a website
file In database searching, a collection of related information records
First Sear ch An OCLC service that provides access to a set of databases
form 1. The way in which bibliographic text is arranged—e.g., dictionary. 2. Type of literary
work—e.g., poetry, drama
forma t 1. Appearance of a publication—its size, paper, type, binding etc. 2. Layout or
presentation of items in machine-readable form
free vs . f ee-bas ed servi ce A service offered by some libraries where library staff do extended
research or provide extra services for a fee; may include in-depth research or copying articles; also
provided by information brokers in for-profit businesses
free t ex t sear ching A technique for searching the entire text using natural language
frequ en cy The interval of publication of periodicals such as daily, weekly, semimonthly,
monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannually, and annually
frontispi ece An illustration in a book facing the title page
fugi tive mat erial Publications difficult to locate, generally because of small publishing quantities
full t ex t Complete document
full t ex t data base Database which contains the complete text of the items included
gaz ett eer A geographical directory listing places, their locations and information about them
genr e li tera tur e Categories of literature based on themes such as fantasy, horror, mystery,
romance, science fiction, and western
glossary An alphabetical list of definitions of terms related to a specific subject often at the back
of a book
Goo gle An Internet search engine
Gover nm ent Printin g Of fice ( GP O) United States agency that publishes and distributes official
documents
gov ernm ent do cum ent A document prepared for or by a government agency which is published
and distributed for public information
GPO See Government Printing Office
half ti tle The brief, or sometimes full, title of a book printed on the right hand side of the page
preceding the title page; see also parts of a book
handb oo k A concise ready reference source of information for a particular field of knowledge
Hansard The official report of proceedings in parliaments and provincial legislatures
hits Database searching: the number of items retrieved; Internet searching: the number of times a
site is visited
hol dings The resources found in a library collection
ho me pa g e A starting screen on the Web with links to related pages; usually gives information
such as the title, author or creator, date or update, and copyright notice
hyp ert ex t Information connected via links in the text, with a computer automating movement
from one piece of information to another
IL L See interlibrary loan
imprint Publisher’s name, and date and place of publication
index 1. An alphabetical list of terms or topics in a work, usually found at the back. 2. A
systematically arranged list that indicates the contents of a document or group of documents
indexin g servi ce A periodical publication that regularly and systematically indexes the contents
of periodical and sometimes other publications
informa tion ag en cy An organization that provides access to information—e.g., a library, an
archive
informa tion br oker An information provider working for a fee
informa tion des k A desk located near the entrance of the library to provide assistance to library
users; small libraries generally combine an information desk and a reference desk
informa tion r etri eval Finding information in a library or collection
ingenta A commercial document delivery service in which users pay to order documents online
and have them faxed. Previously known as UNCOVER
initialism See acronym
intell ect ual f reed om The right of any person to read and express views that may be unpopular
or offensive to others
interlibra ry loan A loan made by one library to another for the use of an individual, including
the provision of a photocopy of the original work requested
Int ernational Standar d Bo o k Nu mb er A number intended to be unique, assigned by an agency
in each country to all books published. Identifies the publisher, language and title. Adopted
internationally in 1969
Int ernational Standard Serial N um ber An internationally recognized number assigned to each
serial publication by the International Serials Data System (ISDS), a network of national centers
sponsored by UNESCO
Int ern et A world-wide network of computer networks all linked together
Int ern et Ex plor er Computer software that enables users to browse the World Wide Web, and
move from one site or document to another
introd u ction A preliminary section which introduces a work; see also parts of a book
ISB N See International Standard Book Number
ISSN See International Standard Serial Number
jargon 1. The terminology of a profession or group. 2. Slang
journal A periodical issued by an institution, corporation or learned society containing current
information and reports of activities or works in a particular field
keywor d A significant term found in a document that identifies subject content
langua ge di ctiona ry A dictionary with words in one language and definitions in the other; may
be in two parts with words in the second language and definitions in the first as well
large prin t Materials which are published in a larger than usual print to help people who are
visually impaired
LC SH See Library of Congress Subject Headings
let ter -by -l ett er alp hab etizin g An approach to alphabetizing where spaces are ignored
legal dep osit The law (part of the Copyright Act) which requires publishers to deposit copies of
all Australian publications with the National Library of Australia, state libraries and other
designated libraries
lexi con A dictionary, most often of ancient languages; from the Greek lexis meaning word
GLOSSARY 191
librarian A person with a library qualification recognized as professional, such as a masters

degree—usually MLS or MLIS—from an accredited program; working at a professional level
librarianship The profession of the people who staff libraries, and the management of libraries
and library services
library 1. A collection of books and other materials for reading, study or reference. 2. A place
housing a collection of materials for reading, study or reference, or from which to borrow
Library o f Con gr ess Subj ect Hea dings (LCSH) Standard words and phrases used in cataloging
to indicate the subject of the work; available in a multi-volume set of printed subject headings
and online
library t echni cian A person with a qualification in librarianship recognized as paraprofessional
by the relevant library association, or working at a paraprofessional level
link A keyword, phrase or graphic on the Web that connects to another web page
LI ST SERV The first electronic mailing list software application. The term is often used generically
to indicate any discussion list
literat ur e s earch A systematic and thorough search for information on a topic
loan A recorded transaction in which a borrower removes an item from a collection for a stated
period of time
loans d es k The area of the library where staff handle loans
local area networ k (LAN) A small networked computer system, often within one building; used
for communication and access to electronic information
loca tion sy mbo l The notation, generally preceding the call number, indicating the place where
material is housed—e.g., REF for reference, YA for young adult, or CD for compact disc
machin e-r eadab le Needing a computer to process or interpret
manual (adj) Without the use of a computer. (n) A book of instruction on doing, making or
performing something
map A representation, normally to scale, of an area of the earth’s surface or another celestial body
MA RC MAchine-Readable Cataloging. A standard for describing bibliographic characteristics of
information items, used in cataloging library materials
media sp ecialist A person who works with nonprint media as well as print; often used for
teacher-librarian
mediat ed sear ch An information search in which a librarian, the intermediary, assists the library
patron
men u- driven p rog ram A computer program which provides menus for choosing options
metasear ch engin e A search engine that passes a query on simultaneously to several other search
engines, and then combines the results. Examples include Ixquick Metasearch, Vivismo
ML A styl e A standard format for citing information sources developed by the Modern Language
Association; generally used in the humanities
micr ofi ch e A microfilmed transparency about the size and shape of a filing card, which may have
on it many pages of print
mono grap h A publication either complete in one part or in a finite number of separate parts. Cf
serial
narrower t erm NT. A concept used in subject analysis and thesaurus or controlled vocabulary
construction to indicate a hierarchical relationship; a term lower in the classification; more
specific; see also broader term (BT) and related term (RT)
national bibli ograp hy A listing of the publications of a country, about that country, by the
residents of that country, in the language of that country
national library A library maintained by government funds and serving the nation as whole. It is
usually the country’s legal deposit library, and collects and preserves the nation’s literature
national uni on catalo g A listing of the holdings of a large number of libraries in a particular
country
natural lan g uag e Terms used in a document without being modified; computer programming
language that resembles human language
Nets cape Computer software that enables users to browse the World Wide Web, and move from
one site or document to another
netw or k 1. A group of computers connected together to transmit information to each other. 2.
Two or more libraries or other organizations which exchange information
newsg ro up A group communicating on the Internet which can form on any topic or subject.
Messages (news) can be sent electronically to the group to read and comment on
news su mmar y A weekly or monthly looseleaf digest of news events, designed for storage in
binders in chronological order
notation Symbols such as letters or numbers representing classification; may be alphabetic,
numeric, or alphanumeric
NT See narrower term
obit uary Notice of a person’s death often including a biographical sketch; included in
biographical tools such as Biography index
OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) A bibliographic utility providing a variety of services to
libraries including cataloging, acquisitions, and interlibrary loan as well as access to online
databases (FirstSearch) and e-books (netLibrary)
off -sit e stora g e Storage of low usage materials away from the library generally for space reasons;
generally available by request within 24 or 48 hours
online Having direct access to information stored in a computer, having interactive
communication with a computer
OPA C Online public access computer. The library’s online catalog
orien tation In libraries, an introduction to the facility, services, and resources
paraphras e To express the same thing in other words
paraprof essional Having a community college or equivalent qualification in library studies, and
performing work at a paraprofessional level
parliamen tary pap er A document presented to a Parliament and ordered by Parliament to be
printed, including annual reports of government departments and agencies and reports
commissioned by the government for discussion in Parliament
parts o f a b oo k Generally the order is—half title, frontispiece, title page, printer’s imprint,
copyright notice, dedication, preface, acknowledgments, contents, illustrations list, introduction,
errata, text, appendices, notes, glossary, bibliography, index, and colophon; contributors’ list may
be in the front or back matter
path find er A brief guide to literature on a particular subject to aid information users in finding
relevant information sources
peer-r evie wed Articles in scholarly journals which have been evaluated by experts before
acceptance for publication
pen nam e An assumed name or pseudonym
perio dical A serial with a distinctive title intended to appear in successive parts at stated and
regular intervals. Often used as a synonym for serial
perio dical in dex A subject index to a group of periodicals, usually in a general subject area
phon eti c According to the sounds of spoken language
GLOSSARY 193
plagiarism Copying without giving credit to the original author; from the Latin word plagiarius
meaning “kidnap”
point- of -us e instr uction Instructional aid placed with the resource, for example on screen, at
the workstation, or in the front of the book
positional s ear chin g See proximity
precision The term used in database searching to indicate the effectiveness of the search;
specifically the ratio of relevant documents retrieved to the total number of documents retrieved
prefa ce The author’s or editor’s reasons for the book. It appears after the title page and before
the introduction
pres criptiv e Defines words in a dictionary and lays down standards of acceptability and usage.
Cf descriptive
pres ervation Changing the state of library material in order to protect the content—e.g.,
microfilming newspapers
primary so urce Information providing first-hand, or original, knowledge of the topic such as
personal papers or transcripts. Cf secondary sources
proactive r ef er en ce s ervi ce Reference service where staff initiate contact with users
prof essional Having a university or equivalent qualification in librarianship or information
management, and working at a professional level
profil e An outline of the interest area(s) of a user or a group of users. Used by the library to
identify new information of interest to particular users
projection A particular way of representing the earth (three-dimensional) on a map (two-
dimensional)
proto col An agreed set of rules by which messages passed from one computer system to another
are encoded and interpreted
proximi ty A command in database searching to indicate how close certain words must be to each
other
pseudon ym A fictitious name used by an author such as Mark Twain used by Samuel Clemens;
see also pen name
publi cation The issuing of copies of a book or other item to the public
publi cation da te The year when the work was published; may vary from the copyright date;
usually found on the verso (back) of the title page; also called imprint date
publi c library A library funded by government that provides library services to all sections of the
community
publis her A person or body which issues copies of a book or other item to the public
quo tation bo o k Reference book containing famous words; may be indexed chronologically or
alphabetically by subject, author, or first line
rea ctive r efer en ce servi ce An approach to service whereby librarians communicate with users
only when approached or asked for help
read ers ’ a dvisor A library staff member who advises readers on their choice of books and
generally assists in the use of the resources of the library
ready r ef er en ce qu ery A question requiring factual information from one simple source
real tim e Simultaneous or actual time
recall In database searching the term indicates the ratio of the total number of relevant
documents in the database to the number of relevant documents retrieved
recipro cal b orrowin g An arrangement between library systems allowing users to check out
materials from other systems
recto The right hand (front) page of a book; verso (back or reverse) is the left hand side of the
title page
ref er eed Peer reviewed
ref er en ce b oo k See reference work
ref er en ce col lecti on A collection of resources intended to be referred to rather than read.
Usually not for loan outside the library
ref er en ce d es k The area of the library where staff provide assistance in using the library, and
answer requests for information
ref er en ce int erview The face-to-face exchange between a library staff member and a user to
communicate, refine or clarify a reference inquiry
ref er en ce s ervices Services to library users including instruction, meeting requests for specific
information and assistance, and the management of the use and circulation of library materials
and equipment
ref er en ce s trat eg y The process of finding answers to reference queries in the fastest, most
efficient way
ref er en ce w ork 1. A work intended to be referred to rather than read. 2. The work of the library
which provides assistance to users seeking information
relat ed t erm A similar subject heading or descriptor; not to be confused with a hierarchical
relationship indicating a “broader” or “narrower” relationship
rem ot e access Access by users from outside the library; often requires authorization by name,
number and/or password
repro grap hy A generic term for reproduction including the use of a photocopy machine or
reader/printer
res ear ch qu ery A question requiring complex information which cannot be obtained from a
single source
reso ur ce sharin g Formal or informal arrangements of libraries to share information;
arrangements sometimes referred to as consortia or networks
RL G Research Libraries Group
RL IN Research Libraries Information Network
role play 1. Performing an imaginary role, especially as a method of instruction or training.
2. Acting out real-life situations
RO M Read-only memory. Memory that can be read only and remains after the power is turned
off
rotat ed in dex An index showing each major term of the subject phrase in alphabetical order;
permuted index
roving A proactive technique of reference where the librarian moves around the library or
reference area, offering help
RT See related term
R USA Reference and User Services Association. The division of the American Library Association
concerned with reference services
schoo l library A library in a school that provides library service to students and staff
scop e no t e A note in subject indexing describing the use of the term
SDI Selective dissemination of information. See current awareness service
sear ch engin e Software that locates information in a database or set of databases, especially on
the Internet; examples include Google and Yahoo!
sear ch his tory A useful feature of some databases allowing the user to see all of the elements of
the current search and previous searches
GLOSSARY 195
sear ch st rat egy 1. The approach adopted to finding information on a particular topic. 2. The
search statements used to answer a question
sear ch t er m A word, phrase or number entered by a user to find the records on a database that
match the term
secon dary so ur ce Information based on information other than original sources
see also r ef erence A direction from one heading to another when both are used
see r ef erence A direction from one heading, which is not used, to another heading which is
used
sel ective dissemination of inf ormati on See current awareness service
sel ective ind exing The term used in indexing of periodicals where choices are made regarding
what to index from an issue; the opposite of cover-to-cover indexing where everything in the issue
is indexed; for example ERIC does selective indexing of many titles whereas Education Index
indexes fewer journals but does cover-to-cover indexing
semi -m ont hly Twice a month (every half month)
semi -w eekly Twice a week (every half week)
serial A publication issued in successive parts and intended to be continued indefinitely. Cf
monograph
sh elf lif e The period of time an item is useful
sh elflist ord er In the same order as the books on the shelf
special librar y A library specializing in a limited subject area. Usually maintained by a
corporation, association or government agency
specifi cations A detailed description of requirements
standard An established measure of quality and value; a precise statement of criteria necessary to
ensure that a product, material or procedure is fit for its purpose
statisti cs Numerical facts often presented in a table
stemming See truncation
style man ual A guide to citations and other issues of style (e.g., punctuation, hyphenation) for
bibliographies and research papers; often found at ready reference desks. Examples include
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, MLA handbook for writers of research
papers, and Chicago manual of style
subj ect biblio grap hy A publication listing references on a topic
subj ect h ea ding A heading that describes a subject and provides subject access to a catalog
Su Do cs nu mb er The classification number used on all United States federal documents
Su perin ten d ent o f Do cu men ts nu mb er See SuDocs number
surro gat e A substitute; for example, a surrogate record represents the work itself; an electronic
record, abstract, or copy is a surrogate for the original
synonym A word with the same meaning as another. Cf antonym
synopti c Summary; including summaries or abstracts (synopses)
technical library A library or collection that contains resources to support applied sciences such
as engineering
teln et A protocol for access to text-only databases on the Internet, especially used for access to
library catalogs. Now largely superseded
tex t The body or main part of a book; see also parts of a book
th esau rus (Plural thesauri) 1. A work containing synonymous and related words and phrases. 2.
A list of controlled terms used in a database
tier ed s ervi ce Degrees or levels of service
title A word or phrase which names an item
title chang e A change in the official title, e.g., of a journal; indicated in the notes section of the
bibliographic record
title pag e The page which provides the most complete information about the author and title,
and is used as the most authoritative source of cataloguing data
topi cal 1. Relating to matters of interest of the day. 2. Relating to a subject
tracings Additional search headings used for an information item such as subject, joint author,
illustrator, or series
trad e bib liograp hy A listing of books available for sale in a country, together with details of
publishers etc. needed for purchase
trun cati on An electronic search feature allowing a symbol (often an asterisk*) to substitute for
the end of a root word. Example: educat* would retrieve all words with the root “educat”
including education, educator, educational, etc. See also wildcard
Ulri ch’s P erio dical Dir ectory Trade bibliography for serials published by Bowker. Lists all
current serials published anywhere in the world
unabrid ged Complete, not shortened
unifor m r eso ur ce l oca tor See URL
union catalo g Catalog of the holdings of more than one library
URL Uniform Resource Locator. The address of a site on the World Wide Web
user A person served by an information agency
user-f rien dly A generic term for making library functions easy to use by patrons
vanity publi cati on Work financed by the author; self-published
vend or A supplier of library materials and/or equipment, including library systems
verso The reverse side of the title page; usually includes the name of the publisher, place of
publication, date of publication, ISBN, copyright notice, and other publication details
virtual library Digital (electronic) format; library without walls
virtual r ef er ence Reference service without walls
Web See World Wide Web
web brows er A program which enables the user to access the World Wide Web, e.g., Netscape,
Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, Mozilla Firefox
web dir ector y A web search tool in which websites are collected and evaluated by human beings,
and organized under appropriate subject headings or categories, e.g., Yahoo!, Academic Info,
Infomine
web s erv er A program that stores documents on the World Wide Web and associated files,
databases and scripts, and makes them available via a web browser
websit e A location on the Internet that houses a set of linked pages or screens
weig htin g An algorithm-based system for predicting relevance of documents retrieved in an
electronic search
wildcar d A database feature permitting the substitution of a symbol (such as # or ?) to represent
a letter or letters within a word, for example wom#n or wom?n would retrieve the words woman
or women
word -by -wor d alpha betizing Alphabetizing system where spaces come before the letter “a”
World Wid e W eb A collection of sites on the Internet in which users can move easily from one
document or site to another by means of hypertext links
WWW See World Wide Web
Yah oo! A service that locates information on the World Wide Web
yearb oo k An annual publication containing current information in brief, descriptive and/or
statistical form
REFERENCES
References in each chapter are included as well as some additional relevant titles and websites.
Editions are generally the latest at the time of writing but frequent updates are typical for most
reference materials. Similarly, Internet addresses (URLs) were correct but may have changed.
Chapter 1—Reference Services

Definitions of a Reference Transaction. 2006. American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/definitionsreference.htm
Gers, Ralph and Lillie Seward. 1985. Improving Reference Performance: Results of a Statewide
Study. Library Journal 110: 32-35
Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers. 2006.
American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinesbehavioral.htm
Guidelines for Cooperative Reference Services. 2006. American Library Association

www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinescooperative.htm
Guidelines for Implementing and Maintaining Virtual Reference Services. 2006. American Library
Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/virtrefguidelines.htm
Guidelines for Information Services. 2006. American Library Association

www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinesinformation.htm
Guidelines for Liaison Work in Managing Collections and Services. 2006. American Library
Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinesliaison.htm
Guidelines for the Introduction of Electronic Information Resources to Users. 2006. American Library
Association
www.ala.org/rusa/stnd_electron.html
Jennerich, Elaine Z and Edward J. Jennerich. 1997. The Reference Interview as a Creative Art.
Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Professional Competencies for Reference and User Services Librarians. 2006. American Library
Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/professional.htm
Project Wombat: a popular reference discussion list for difficult questions

project-wombat.org
Ronan, Jana Smith. 2003. Chat Reference: A Guide to Live Virtual Reference Service. Westport,
Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
197
Chapter 2— Ref erence S ources

General
American Reference Books Annual. Annual. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Balay, Robert, ed. Guide to Reference Books. 11th ed. 1996. Chicago: American Library
Association
Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith, eds. 2001. Reference and Information Services: An
Introduction. 3rd ed., Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Cassell, Kay Ann and Uma Hiremath. 2006. Reference and Information Services in the 21st
Century. New York: Neal-Schuman
Duckett, Bob, Peter Walker and Christinea Donnelly. 2004. Know it All, Find it Fast: An A-Z
Source Guide for the Enquiry Desk. 2nd ed. London: Facet
Evans, G. Edward and Margaret R. Zarnosky. 2005. Developing Library and Information Center
Collections. 5th ed. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Hysell, Shannon Graff. Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-Sized Libraries and
Media Centers. 2005. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Janes, Joseph. 2003. Introduction to Reference Work in the Digital Age. New York: Neal-Schuman
Katz, William A. 2002. Introduction to Reference Work. 2 vols. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
Kennedy, Scott E. 1999. Reference Sources for Small and Medium-Sized Libraries. 6th ed. Chicago:
Lane, Nancy D., Margaret Chisholm and Carolyn Mateer. 2000. Techniques for Student Research:
A Comprehensive Guide to Using the Library. New York: Neal-Schuman
New Walford: Guide to Reference Resources. 2005-. London: Library Association
Riedling, Ann. 2005. Reference Skills for the School Library Media Specialist: Tools and Tips. 2nd
ed. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth
Van Orden, Phyllis and K. Bishop. 2001. The Collection Program in Schools: Concepts, Practices
and Information Sources. 3rd ed. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Special Topics
Amborgi, Robert J. 2004. Essential Guide to the Best (and Worst) Legal Sites on the Web. New
York: ALM
Anderson, P.F. and Nancy J. Allee, eds. 2004. Medical Library Association Encyclopedic Guide to
Searching and Finding Health Information on the Web. New York: Neal-Schuman
Boorkman, Jo Ann and Fred W. Roper, eds. 2004. Introduction to Reference Sources in the Health
Sciences. 4th ed. New York: Neal-Schuman
Encyclopedia of Business Information Sources. 2006. Detroit, Mich.: Thomson Gale

REFERENCES 199
Guidelines for Medical, Legal and Business Responses. 2001. American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinesmedical.htm
Medical and Health Care Books and Serials In Print. Annual. New York: Bowker
Moss, Rita W. and Diane Wheeler Strauss. 2004. Strauss’s Handbook of Business Information.
Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Worlely, Loyita. 2006. BIALL Handbook of Legal Information Management. Burlington, Vt.:
Ashgate
Reference—General Periodicals
These are examples and will not be available in every library.
American Libraries. Chicago: American Library Association. Each May issue includes
“Outstanding Reference Books of the Year”
Booklist Including Reference Books Bulletin. Semi-monthly. Chicago: American Library Association
www.booklistonline.com (subscription)
Choice. Monthly. Chicago: American Library Association
Horn Book Magazine. Bimonthly. Boston: EBSCO
Library Journal. Semi-monthly. New York: Bowker
Media & Methods. Monthly (except June-August). Philadelphia: North American Publishing Co.
Reference & User Services Quarterly. Chicago: American Library Association
School Library Journal: The Magazine of Children’s, Young Adult, and School Librarians. Monthly.
New York: Bowker
Readers’ Advisory
Burgin, Robert. 2004. Nonfiction Readers' Advisory. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Carpan, Carolyn. 2004. Rocked by Romance: A Guide to Teen Romance Fiction. Westport, Conn.:
Libraries Unlimited
Cords, Sarah Statz and Robert Burgin. 2006. The Real Story. Westport, Conn.: Libraries
Unlimited
Dawson, Alma and Connie Jean Van Fleet. 2004. African American Literature: A Guide to
Reading Interests. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Herald, Diana Tixier and Wayne A. Wiegand. 2006. Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading
Interests. 6th ed. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Herald, Diana Tixler and Bonnie Kunzel. 2002. Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading
Interests. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Johnson, Sarah L. 2005. Historical Fiction: A Guide to the Genre. Westport, Conn.: Libraries
Unlimited
Mort, John. 2002. Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre. Greenwood Village, Colo.: Libraries
Unlimited
Niebuhr, Gary Warren. 2003. Make Mine a Mystery: A Reader’s Guide to Mystery and Detective
Fiction. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Pearl, Nancy. 2002. Now Read This II: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1990-2001. Englewood,
Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Reisner, Rosalind. 2004. Jewish American Literature: A Guide To Reading Interests. Westport,
Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Saricks, Joyce G. 2001. Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Chicago: American Library
Association
Saricks, Joyce G. 2005. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. 3rd ed. Chicago: American
Library Association
Shearer, Kenneth D. and Robert Burgin. 2002. Readers’ Advisor’s Companion. Englewood, Colo.:
Libraries Unlimited
Smith, Sharron and Maureen O’Conner. 2005. Canadian Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests.
Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Chapter 3— Di ctionari es
General
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 2006. 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Available in print and CD-ROM.
Barnhart, Robert K. and Sol Steinmetz. 2000. Chambers Dictionary of Etymology. Edinburgh:
Chambers
Barber, Katherine. 2004. Canadian Oxford Dictionary. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Freesearch Online British English Dictionary

www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary (free)
Collins English Dictionary. 2004. 6th ed. New York: HarperCollins
Dictionary
www.dictionary.com (free)
REFERENCES 201
Macmillan Dictionary for Children. 2001. 4th ed. New York: Simon & Schuster
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 2003. 11th ed. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster

www.m-w.com (free)
Oxford English Dictionary. 1989. 2nd ed. 20 vols. New York: Oxford University Press. Available
in print, CD-ROM and online
www.oed.com (subscription)
Random House Webster’s College Dictionary. 1997. 2nd ed. New York: Random House
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. 2002. 5th ed. 2 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Ultimate Visual Dictionary. 2002. Rev. ed. New York: DK Publishing
Webster’s New World College Dictionary. 1999. 4th ed. New York: Macmillan
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary. 2002. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster

member.m-w.com/subscribe.php (subscription)
Specialized Dictionaries and Other Word Books

Acronym Finder
www.acronymfinder.com (free)
Bartlett, John. 2002. Familiar Quotations. 17th ed. Boston: Little, Brown
Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2005. 17th ed. New York: Collins
Chambers Dictionary of Science and Technology. 2004. New Delhi : Allied Chambers
Dictionary of American Slang. 1995. 3rd ed. New York: HarperCollins
Encyclopedia of Library History. 1994. New York: Garland
Fowler’s Modern English Usage. 2004. Rev. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press
Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America. 2000. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Detroit: Gale. Print and e-book
Hall, Joan Houston. 2002. Dictionary of American Regional English. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap
Press of Harvard University
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 1991. New York: Macmillan
Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations 2nd ed.

www.askoxford.com/dictionaries/quotation_dict/?view=uk (free)
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. 2002. 9th ed. 20 vols. New York: McGraw-
Hill
www.AccessScience.com (subscription)
Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. 2004. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available online
Partridge, Eric. 2003. Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English. 8th ed. New York:
Routledge
Reade M. and Bohdan Romanenchuk. 2006. Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary.
36th ed. Detroit, Mich.: Gale
Roget’s II: The New Thesaurus. 2003. 3rd ed. Rev. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Roget’s International Thesaurus. 2001. 6th ed. New York: HarperResource
RhymeZone (rhyming dictionary and thesaurus)

www.rhymezone.com (free)
Urban Dictionary (slang)

www.urbandictionary.com (free)
Thesaurus.com
www.thesaurus.com (free)
Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases. 2003. London: Penguin.
Webster's New Explorer Dictionary Of Synonyms & Antonyms. 2003. Springfield, Mass.: Federal
Street Press
Chapter 4—Encyclopedias
These are examples and will not be available in every library. Most encyclopedias are updated
annually. Most online encyclopedias require a subscription.
Academic American Encyclopedia. 21 vols. Danbury, Conn.: Grolier
Cambridge Encyclopedia. 2000. 4th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press
Canadian Encyclopedia. Toronto: Historical Foundation of Canada

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com (free)
Chambers Encyclopedia. 2001. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap
Dictionary of Art
www.groveart.com (subscription)
Encyclopedia Americana. Annual. 30 vols. Danbury, Conn.: Scholastic Library Publishing

auth.grolier.com/cgi-bin/authV2?bffs- (subscription)
Encyclopaedia Britannica. Annual. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica

www.britannica.com/ (free summaries)
Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. 2005. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, Fla.: Taylor &
Francis
REFERENCES 203
Encyclopedia of Religion
www.gale.com (subscription)
Encyclopedia of the Orient.

www.lexicorient.com/e.o/ (free)
Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Annual. Online and CD-ROM. Danbury, Conn.: Grolier
www.go.grolier.com (subscription)
Grzimeck’s Animal Life Encyclopedia

www.galegroup.com (subscription)
Encarta. Redmond, Wash.: Microsoft. Online and CD-ROM

encarta.msn.com (free summaries)
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. 2002. 9th ed. 20 vols. New York: McGraw-
Hill
www.AccessScience.com (subscription)
Wikipedia.
www.wikipedia.org (free)
World Book Encyclopedia. 22 vols. Annual. Chicago: World Book

www.worldbook.com (subscription)
Reviews
Nonprint Encyclopedias
www.consumersearch.com/www/software/encyclopedias/index.html
Chapter 5—Fast Facts

American Fact Finder

www.census.gov (free)
Canadian Almanac and Directory. Annual. Toronto: Micromedia ProQuest

il.proquest.com/products_pq/descriptions/canadian_almanac.shtml (subscription)
Consumer Reports
www.consumerreports.org (subscription)
Fact Monster. Information Please (for children)

www.factmonster.com/ (free)
New York Times 2007 Almanac. Annual. New York: Penguin

Occupational Outlook Handbook. Biennial

www.bls.gov/oco (free)
Robert’s Rules of Order. 4th ed.

www.rulesonline.com or www.bartleby.com/176 (free)
Forum for asking questions: www.robertsrules.com (free)
Scholastic Book of World Records 2005. New York: Scholastic
Statesman’s Yearbook. Annual. London: Palgrave

www.sybworld.com (subscription)
Statistical Abstract of the United States. Annual

www.census.gov/compendia/statab/ (free)
.
Time Almanac with Information Please. Annual. Boston: Information Please
www.infoplease.com/almanacs.html (free)
World Almanac and Book of Facts. Annual. New York: Press Pub. Co. (The New York World)
www.facts.com (subscription)
Yearbooks, Handbooks, Manuals

Bowker Annual: Library & Book Trade Almanac. Annual. Medford, N.J.: Information Today
(The popular name is The Bowker Annual)
Cambridge Factfinder. 2000. 4th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press
Downes, John and Jordan Elliot Goodman. Barron’s Finance & Investment Handbook. 2006. 7th
ed. Hauppauge, N.Y: Barron's Educational Series
Emily Post’s Etiquette. 17th ed. 2004. (print). The 1922 edition is searchable online at
www.bartleby.com/95/ (free)
Europa World Year Book. Annual. London: Europa Publications

www.worldoflearning.com/ (subscription)
Kelley Blue Book: Used Car Guide. Annual. Irvine, Calif.: Kelley Blue Book
Library & Book Trade Almanac. See Bowker Annual: Library & Book Trade Almanac.
Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 2006. 18th ed. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck
Research Laboratories
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 2003. 6th ed. New York: Modern Language
Association of America
Whitaker’s Almanack. Annual. London: A&C Black

REFERENCES 205
Chapter 6— Biog raphical Resources

American National Biography

www.anb.org (subscription)
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-Present

bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp (free)
Biography and Genealogy Master Index. Biannual. Detroit, Mich.: Gale

Biography.com
www.biography.com (free)
Biography Index. Quarterly. Bronx, N.Y.: H.W. Wilson

www.hwwilson.com/databases/bioind.htm (subscription)
Canadian Who’s Who. Annual. Toronto: University of Toronto Press
Chambers Biographical Dictionary. 2002. 7th ed. Edinburgh: Chambers
Current Biography. Monthly issues; annual yearbooks. New York: H.W. Wilson
Current Biography Illustrated

www.hwwilson.com/databases/cbillus.htm (subscription)
Dictionary of American Biography. New York: Charles Scribners
Dictionary of National Biography. New York: Oxford University Press

www.oup.com/oxforddnb/ (subscription)
Encyclopedia of World Biography. Annual supplements. Detroit: Thomson Gale
International Who’s Who. Annual. London: Europa Publications, Taylor & Francis Group
www.worldwhoswho.com (subscription)
Literature Resource Center. Detroit, Mich.: Gale

www.gale.com/LitRC (subscription)
Merriam-Webster’s Biographical Dictionary. 1995. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 2004. 60 vols. New York: Oxford University Press
www.oxfordonline.com/online/odnb (subscription)
Who Was Who in America. Annual. Chicago: Marquis
Who’s Who. Annual. New York: St. Martin’s Press
Who’s Who in America. Annual. New Providence, N.J.: Marquis

www.marquiswhoswho.com (subscription)
Who’s Who in the Twentieth Century. Annual. Oxford: Oxford University Press
oxfordreference.com (subscription)
Chapter 7—Geogra phi cal Resources

Atlas of Canada
atlas.gc.ca (free)
British Library Map Collection

www.bl.uk/collections/maps (free)
Cartographica Extraordinaire: The Historical Map Transformed

www.davidrumsey.com (free)
Centre for Topographic Information of Natural Resources Canada (CTI). Canadian Maps
maps.nrcan.gc.ca (free)
CIA World Factbook Maps of countries

www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook (free)
Columbia Gazetteer of the World. 1998. 3 vols. New York: Columbia University Press
www.columbiagazetteer.org (subscription)
Environment Protection Agency. EnviroMapper

maps.epa.gov/enviro (free)
Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names Online

www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/tgn (free)
Google Maps
maps.google.com (free)
Hammond World Atlas. 2003. 4th ed. Union, N.J.: Hammond
Historical Atlas of Canada. 2002. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre
History of Cartography Gateway

www.maphistory.info (free)
Infomine. Selective list of map links for the United States

infomine.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/search?maps
Library of Congress American Memory Collection

lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml (free)
REFERENCES 207
MapQuest
www.mapquest.com
Maps. Perry-Castenada Library, University of Texas

www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/index.html
Merriam-Webster’s Geographical Dictionary. 2001. 3rd ed. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
National Atlas of the United States. Interactive geological and topographical maps
www.nationalatlas.gov
National Geographic Atlas of the World. 2004. 8th ed. Washington, DC: National Geographic
Society. Maps for free and for purchase
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
Odden’s Bookmarks: Fascinating World of Maps and Mapping. Links to map collections
oddens.geog.uu.nl
Rand McNally Commercial Atlas & Marketing Guide. Annual. Chicago: Rand McNally
www.randmcnally.com/
Rand McNally Road Atlas. Annual. Chicago: Rand McNally
Terraserver. Maps and aerial photographs of the United States

www.terraserver.microsoft.com
Times Atlas of the World. 2005. 11th ed. New York: HarperResource
United States Bureau of the Census. Census Maps

www.census.gov/geo/www/maps (free)
United States Geological Survey

www.usgs.gov (free)
United States Geological Survey. Topozone. Interactive topographic maps

www.topozone.com
United States National Parks

lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml (free)
Yale University Map Collection

www.library.yale.edu/MapColl/index.html (free)
About M ap s
Larsgaard, Mary Lynette. 1998. Map Librarianship: An Introduction. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries
Unlimited
Chapter 8—Bibli ogra phies and Lib rary Catalogs

These are examples and will not be available in every library. Many library catalogs are available
online. Several are listed.
Books in Print. Annual. New Providence, N.J.: Bowker

www.bowker.com (subscription)
British National Bibliography

www.bl.uk/services/bibliographic/natbib.html (free)
Canadiana
www.collectionscanada.ca/canadiana/index-e.html (free)
Gale Directory of Databases. Annual. Detroit, Mich.: Gale Group

www.gale.com/pdf/fats/grrs/pdf (subscription)
Guidelines for the Preparation of a Bibliography. American Library Association 2006.

www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinespreparation.htm
Magazines for Libraries. 2005. 14th ed. New Providence, N.J.: Bowker
National Union Catalog (U.S.)

www.catalog.loc.gov (free)
Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory. Annual. New Providence, N.J.: Bowker

Library Catalogs
British Library Integrated Catalogue
catalogue.bl.uk (free)
Library and Archives Canada

collectionscanada.ca (free)
Library of Congress Online Catalog

catalog.loc.gov (free)
New York Public Library. CATNYP

www.nypl.org (free)
WorldCat
worldcat. org/ (free)
Chapter 9—Directori es
American Library Directory. Annual. Medford, N.J.: Information Today

books.infotoday.com (subscription)
REFERENCES 209
Books in Print. Annual

Directories in Print. 2007. 2 vols. 26th ed. Detroit, Mich.: Thompson Gale
Encyclopedia of Associations. Annual. Detroit, Mich.: Thompson Gale
Europa World of Learning. 2006. 2 vols. 56th ed. London: Routledge

www.worldoflearning.com/ (subscription)
FaxUSA. 2005. Detroit, Mich.: Omnigraphics
Gale Directory of Databases. Annual. Detroit, Mich.: Thomson Gale
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media. Annual. Detroit, Mich.: Thomson Gale
Literary Market Place. 2 vols. Annual. New Providence, N.J.: Information Today
books.infotoday.com (subscription)
The Local Telephone Directory

www.switchboard.com or www.anywho.com
Official Museum Directory 2002. 32nd ed. New Providence, N.J.: National Register Publications
Publishers, Distributors and Wholesalers of the U.S. Annual

Research Centers Directory. 2006. 2 vols. 33rd ed. ed. Detroit, Mich.: Thomson Gale
Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory. Annual

World of Learning See Europa World of Learning
Chapter 10—Ind ex es and Abstracts

General
Academic Search Elite. Birmingham, Ala.: Ebscohost Publishing
www.epnet.com (subscription)
Dialog Classic
www.dialog.com/products/dialogclassic (subscription)
Expanded Academic Text

www.gale.com/ExpandedAcademic/ (subscription)
First Search
www.oclc.org/firstsearch/ (subscription)
Gale Directory of Databases. Annual

www.gale.com/pdf/facts.grrs.pdf (subscription)
InfoTrac. Gale Group

infotrac.galegroup.com (subscription)
LexisNexis Academic
www.lexisnexis.com/academic/universe/academic (subscription)
Magazines for Libraries. Annual

www.ulrichsweb.com (subscription)
NewJour
gort.ucsd.edu/newjour/NewJourWel.html
Publishers, Distributors and Wholesale of the U.S. Annual

Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature. New York: H.W. Wilson

www.hwwilson.com/Databases/Readersg.htm (subscription)
SIRS Researcher
www.proquest.com (subscription)
Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory. Annual

Wilson Omnifile Full Text

www.hwwilson.com/databases/omnifile.htm (subscription)
Specialized
American History and Life. ABC-CLIO. Available online by subscription
Book Review Digest. Monthly. Bronx, N.Y.: H.W. Wilson. Available online by subscription
Book Review Index. Continuous updates. Detroit, Mich.: Gale

library.dialog.com/bluesheets/html (subscription)
Columbia Granger’s Index to Poetry in Collected and Selected Works. 2004. 2nd ed. New York:
Columbia University Press
www.columbiagrangers.org/ (subscription)
Education Index. Continuous updates. Bronx, N.Y.: H.W. Wilson

www.educationindex.com/ (free)
ERIC. Continuous updates. U.S. Department of Education

www.eric.ed.gov/ (free)
History Abstracts. Continuous updates. ABC-CLIO

REFERENCES 211
LitFinder. Continuous updates

www.litfinder.com/ (subscription)
MedlinePlus. Continuous updates. National Library of Medicine

medlineplus.gov/
Play Index. Continuous updates

www.hwwilson.com/print/playind.cfm (subscription)
PsycINFO. Weekly updates. American Psychological Association

psycinfo.apa.org/psycinfo/
Short Story Index. Continuous updates. Bronx, N.Y.: H.W. Wilson

www.hwwilson.com/Databases/storeindec.htm
Bibliographic Style
Chicago Manual of Style. 2003. 15th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Available online
by subscription
Gilbaldi, Joseph. 2003. MLA Handbook for Writing Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: Modern
Language Association of America
Guidelines for the Preparation of a Bibliography. 2001. Chicago: American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinespreparation.htm
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 2001. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.:
American Psychological Association
Chapter 11—Gov ernment Documents

These are examples of thousands of United States Government documents available through the
Internet.
AGRICOLA, National Agricultural Library

agricola.nal.usda.gov (free)
American Statistics Index. Congressional Information Service

www.lexisnexis.com/academic/3cis/cise/AmericanStatisticsIndex.asp (subscription)
Background Notes. Department of State

www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn
Catalog of U.S. Government

catalog.gpo.gov/f
Crime in the United States, also known as Uniform Crime Reports

www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm
ERIC. Continuous updates. Department of Education

www.eric.ed.gov/ (free)
Index to International Statistics (IIS). Congressional Information Service

www.lexisnexis.com/academic/3cis/cisi/IndexInternationalStatistics.asp (subscription)
MedlinePlus. Continuous updates. National Library of Medicine

medlineplus.gov/
Monthly Catalog Of United States Government Publications (MOCAT)

www.gpo.gov
Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Statistics

www.bls.gov/oco
Official Congressional Directory

www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/
Social Security Handbook. U.S. Social Security Administration

www.ssa.gov/op_home/handbook
Statistical Abstract of the United States. United States Bureau of the Census
Statistical Reference Index. Congressional Information Service

LexisNexis statistical: www.lexisnexis.com/academic/1univ/stat/default.asp (subscription)
Thomas. Library of Congress

www.thomas.gov/
United States Government Manual

www.gpoaccess.gov/gmanual/
Chapter 12—T he Internet

Bartleby.com. Great books online
www.bartleby.com/
The Internet Public Library

www.ipl.org
Librarians’ Internet index

lii.org/
Chapter 1 3—Resea rchi ng and D eli vering Informati on

The resources listed are examples of many resources available on the topics.
United States
American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and
Technology. 1998. Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Chicago: American
Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/informationpower/informationliteracy.htm
REFERENCES 213
Association of College and Research Libraries. 2003. Guidelines for Instruction Programs in
Academic Libraries. Chicago: American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/guidelinesinstruction.htm
Association of College and Research Libraries. 2000. Information Literacy Competency Standards
for Higher Education. Chicago: American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/informationliteracycompetency.htm
Association of College and Research Libraries. 2001. Objectives for Information Literacy: A Model
Statement for Academic Librarians. Chicago: American Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/objectivesinformation.htm
Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith. 2001. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction.
3rd ed. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Eisenberg, Michael B. and Robert E. Berkowitz. 1990. Information Problem-Solving: The Big Six
Skills Approach to Library and Information Skills Instruction. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex
Kuhlthau, Carol Collier. 2004. Seeking Meaning: A Process Approach to Library Information
Service. 2nd ed. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited
Riedling, Ann Marlow. 2000. Reference Skills for the School Library Media Specialist: Tools & Tips.
Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Press
Canada
About: Canada Online
canadaonline.about.com/ (free)
Atlas of Canada
atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site (free)
Canada Year Book. Annual. Ottawa: Statistics Canada
Canadian Government Biographies Index

canadaonline.about.com/od/canadiansingovernment/a/biographieslist.htm
Government of Canada Publications

publications.gc.ca/
LEGISinfo. Parliamentary Information and Research Service and the Information and Document
Resource Service of the Library of Parliament
www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO
Statistics Canada
www.statcan.ca/
Government Of Canada Publications Weekly Checklist

publications.gc.ca/control/weeklyChecklistMain?searchAction=4&searchAction=13&productId=1
Chapter 14—Evalua tion

The resources listed are examples of many resources available on the topics.
Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith. 2001. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction.
3rd ed. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Durrance, Joan C. 1989. Reference Success: Does the 55% Rule Tell the Whole Story? Library
Journal. 114, 31-36
Gatten, Jeffrey N. and Carolyn J. Radcliff. 2001. Assessing Reference Behaviors with
Unobtrusive Testing. In Wallace, Danny P. and Connie Van Fleet, eds., Library Evaluation: A
Casebook and Can-Do Guide. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited
Gers, Ralph and Lillie Seward. 1985. Improving Reference Performance: Results of a Statewide
Study. Library Journal 110: 32-35
Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers. 2006.
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/guidelinesbehavioral.htm
Professional Competencies for Reference and User Services Librarians. 2003. Chicago: American
Library Association
www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/professional.htm
Ross, Catherine Sheldrick and Patricia Dewdney. 1998. Negative Closure: Strategies and
Counter-Strategies in the Reference Transaction. Reference & User Services Quarterly 38(2): 151-
163
Whitlach, Jo Bell. 2000. Evaluating Reference Services. Chicago: American Library Association
LIBRA RY OF CONGRESS SU BJECT HEADINGS—
USEFU L FORM SUBDIVISIONS FOR REFERENCE
SERVICE
Bibliography
Biography
Databases
Dictionaries
Directories
Guidebooks
Handbooks
Indexes
Maps
Periodicals
Statistics
Study Guides
Tables
215
INDEX
abstracting service, 114-120, 129 legal

alerting services, 137-138 publications, 129
almanac, 69 requirements, 21-22
atlas, 88 legislative publications, 129, 132
behavioral performance, 12 lexicon, 40
bibliographic control, 97 library instruction, 11
bibliographic utility, 95, 96 manual, 70, 127, 133
bibliographies, 95-97, 128, 134 maps, 88-90
biographical sources, 77-78, 128, 133 metasearch engines, 152
Boolean logic, 118, 151 national bibliography, 96
catalog, 96-97 news summaries, 70
censorship, 22 online databases, 96-97, 115, 117-120
census information, 90, 127, 129 organizational sources, see directories
citing references, 121 packaging information, 154
classification, 98-102, 124-126 parliamentary publications, 132-133
communication, 13, 17, 160 periodical index, see indexing service
concordance, 40 privacy, 21
confidentiality, 21 readers’ advisory, 10, 13, 37
copyright, 21 ready reference query, 14
current awareness, 11 reference
databases, 117-120 desk, 19
Depository Services Program, 132 interview, 17-18
dictionaries, 39-46 questions, 14
directional question, 14 services, 9-22
directories, 105-106, 128, 146 statistics, 131-142
domain names, 139-140 strategy, see search strategy
duty of care, 22 research query, 14
email, 137 search
encyclopedias, 55 engine, 147-151
ethics, 20-21 strategy, 17-18
evaluating tips, 151
information on the Web, 141-142 tools, 144-152
reference service, 159-160 selecting reference works, 23-27
reference staff, 159-160 service points, 155
reference works, 23-24 statistics, 27, 70, 127, 133
Federal Depository Libraries program, 126 of queries, 161-172
full text database, 115-120 subject directories, 145-146
gazetteer, 88 SuDocs classification, 124-126
geographical sources, 87-91, 128, 133 thesaurus, 42
GIS, 90 trade bibliographies, 97
glossary, 40 training, 12, 19
government publications, 123-136 union catalog, 96
handbook, 70, 127, 133 United Nations documents, 135-136
index map, 89 URLs, 139-140, 152
indexing service, 113-120, 129 Wikipedia, 57
information-seeking models, 153 World Wide Web, 138-152
Internet, 137-152 yearbook, 70, 127, 133
LIBRARY EDUCATION SERIES
This series of paperback workbooks introduces skills needed by library science students and library
technicians, as well as librarians seeking refresher materials or study guides for in-service training
classes. Each book teaches essential professional skills in a step-by-step process, accompanied by
numerous practical examples, exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning, and an appropriate
glossary.

Learn About Information
First North American Edition ©2007
Mary Gosling, Elizabeth Hopgood and Karen Lochhead
ISBN: 978‐1‐59095‐801‐8 Paperback, 164 pp.
$37.99

Learn Basic Library Skills
Second North American Edition ©2007
Elaine Anderson, Mary Gosling and Mary Mortimer
ISBN: 978‐1‐59095‐802‐5 Paperback, 232 pp.,
$42.99

Learn Descriptive Cataloging
Mary Mortimer
$37.99

Learn Dewey Decimal Classification (Edition 22)
Mary Mortimer
$37.99

Learn Library Management
Bob Pymm and Damon D. Hickey
$37.99

Learn Library of Congress Classification
Second Edition ©2007
Helena Dittman and Jane Hardy
$37.99

Learn Library of Congress Subject Access
Jacki Ganendran and Lynn Farkas
$37.99

Learn Multimedia Management
Carol Javes
ISBN 978‐1‐59095‐807‐0 Paperback, 148 pp.
$37.99

Learn Reference Work
Clara L. Sitter and Mary Gosling
$42.99

LIBRARY SCIENCE TITLES

LibrarySpeak:
A Glossary of Terms in Librarianship and Information Technology,
Mary Mortimer
$22.99

My Mentoring Diary:
A Resource for the Library and Information Professions
Revised Edition ©2007
Ann Ritchie and Paul Genoni
$19.99

Quality in Library Service:
A Competency‐Based Staff Training Program
Jennifer Burrell and Brad McGrath
Downloadable training forms, slides, quizzes, role plays, instructional aids
$175.00

TOTALRECALL PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Mail Orders: TotalRecall Publications, Inc., 1103 Middlecreek, Friendswood, TX 77546-5448
Toll-Free Phone Orders: (888) 992-3131 (281) 992-3131 Fax Orders: (281) 482-5390
email Orders: Sales@TotalRecallPress.com Online Orders: www.totalrecallpress.com
Price shown in USA Dollars:

(Clara L. Sitter, Mary Gosling) Learn Reference Work

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

(Clara L. Sitter, Mary Gosling) Learn Reference Work

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

L I B R A R Y E D U C A T I O N S E R I E S

FIRST NORTH AMERICAN EDITION

TOTALRECALL PUBLICATIONS, INC.

First North American edition DocMatrix Pty Ltd 2007

ISBN 978- 1-59095-808-7

REPRINTED UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH PUBLISHER BY TOTALRECALL

8. Bibliographies and Library Catalogs 95

10. Indexes and Abstracts 113

11. Government Documents 123

12. The Internet 137

13. Researching and Delivering Information 153

14. Evaluation 159

LCSH Form Subdivisions 215

NOTE ON C API TA LIZ ATION

Factors Aff ecting Service

Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers

Reference staff should be approachable. Behaviors contributing to an approachable appearance

Pers on a l Char acteri stic s

Commu nic ati on S ki lls

E XER CISE 1.1 - L I BR ARY S ER VI CES

Se rvice D oe s the libra ry pr ovide ?

Types of Reference Qu esti ons

E XER CISE 1.2 – T YP ES OF R E FE RE N CE Q UE STI ON S

1. I want some information on zoology.

2. Can you suggest a good murder mystery?

3. Where are the recent journals shelved?

4. I am looking for a book about a school written by a Canadian author.

7. How do I use your library catalog?

8. How do you stop severe chest pains?

9. Has Thomas Keneally written anything else besides Schindler’s Ark?

10. Where do you keep the large-print fiction?

11. When will the next election be held?

12. Do you have any pictures of the Grand Canyon?

15. I want a good introductory book on astronomy.

17. Who was Conchita Supervia?

18. Where would I get a copy of the Smithsonian Annual Report?

19. How long is the Nile River?

20. Give me everything you have on Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Reference Interview

An effective search strategy involves the following steps:

Clarify the Problem

Evaluate the Process

Compile and Present the Findings

The Reference Desk

Pressures at the Reference Desk

Library Technicians in the Reference Section

Code of Ethics of the American Library Association

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination

Code of Ethics of the Canadian Library Association

Legal and Professi onal Requirements

E XER CISE 1.3

1. Where would I find a list of poisons?

2. I am interested in buying an atlas. Which one would you recommend?

The reference collection consists of dictionaries, encyclopedias, biographical resources, directories,

Finding Out about Ref erence Work s

Evaluating a Reference Work

How to S tudy Ref erence Works

E XER CISE 2.1 – E X AMI NI NG A R EFER EN CE W O R K

Author or editor (if there is one)

Arrangement (e.g., alphabetical listing)

Example of a question it might answer

Selecti ng the Correct Ref erence T ool

Question Purpose Source