Ohio Reference
Excellence
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Review of Module Five
Resources
What have you learned?
Know the types of reference tools available to you and when
they are useful. Examining and evaluating resources and keeping up with new resources is
critical to providing current, accurate information to patrons. Become familiar with
essential ready reference resources, at least, and know how to use the catalog and indexes
to locate other sources. A basic understanding of the arrangement of your library, usually
by Dewey, will help you find materials on the shelves.
Suggestions for examining, evaluating and locating resources
also apply to Internet resources and other online resources in your library and to the
electronic databases available through OPLIN. Make use of the local information that your
library may be keeping, such as pamphlet files and genealogy sources, or frequent requests in remote reference services.
Do the following to review:
- Review the Answer Key.
- Review the following main points of Module 5.
- Use the links to go back to any page you want to look at again.
Think of the world as your resource and do not feel you are
limited to "reference books" or Web sites. Understand the parts of a reference
book and examine them thoroughly for effective use. Know how to evaluate Web sites.
Major Point: There is no substitute for knowing the value of
reference sources in your collection or on the Web. To evaluate and use a resource
effectively, you must carefully examine all parts of a print resource and learn to
recognize indicators of quality for Web sites.
The catalog can be your most effective reference tool. The
catalog is an organized list of the library's collection and helps you find resources in
different ways. Consider ways to connect the catalog to Web resources.
Major Point: The catalog is a good place to start your search and
can help you find books, subject headings, or author names and dates.
Different types or kinds of resources serve very different
purposes. Typical examples of reference books are Bibliography, Encyclopedias and
Dictionaries, Almanacs, Directories, Gazetteers, Handbooks, Indices, Manuals, Periodicals,
etc. Encyclopedias and almanacs are good resources to use when you are unfamiliar with a
topic.
Major Point: Know what to expect from different types of
resources and match the resource to the question.
A basic set of reference tools is recommended for libraries. Identify and familiarize
yourself with as many of these as possible and look at new editions as they arrive. Use
reliable Web guides to find similar recommended Web sites.
Major Point: Identify and familiarize yourself with recommended resources in your library and on the Web.
Library resources are often arranged by Dewey Decimal Classification. Understand what
subjects are represented by the classification numbers. Dewey can be used to organize bookmarks for
favorite Web sites and online guides to Web sites. The Ten Main Classes of the
Dewey Decimal System are:
000 Computer science, information & general works
100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Science
600 Technology
700 Arts & Recreation
800 Literature
900 History
Major Point: Understanding the classification system used for your library's collection or Web links will help you find resources quickly.
Many indexes and directories are
available as stand-alone databases, through OPLIN (The Ohio Public Library
Information Network), or through the Internet.
Major Point: Electronic databases, OPLIN, and the Internet
connect your library to resources around the world.
Web sites may have helpful content, often directly from the
source such as government agencies, health organizations, universities, and other
educational institutions. Some web sites provide carefully chosen and indexed guides to
other web sites. Many libraries provide organized lists of recommended sites for staff and
patrons.
Major Point: Libraries provide access to information for the
communities they serve. The best access for many users is on the Web.
In addition to reference resources and online resources, keep
files of pamphlets, maps, articles, etc. to answer questions that patrons ask often. Save
yourself time and serve your patrons better by not re-doing work already done, and by
anticipating questions you will be asked. Consider establishing databases of answers and
FAQs for the library Web site.
Major Point: Save time by keeping files of pamphlets, articles,
maps, etc., to answer questions frequently asked at your library or build databases of
answers and FAQs.
Know what resources are available in your library and know when and how to use and
evaluate them.
Test yourself on Module Five.
What to do when you finish the quiz...
When you have completed the exercises and quiz for this module, take
them to your supervisor.
After your supervisor approves your work, you may print a Certificate
of Achievement for the module for your supervisor and library director to sign.
Congratulations! You are part of quality reference service in Ohio!
Please fill out and submit the evaluation form to OLC.
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Effective reference work requires knowledge of resources.
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Overview
Interview
People
Strategies
Ethics