MODULE 5: RESOURCES

Learning Outcomes

Effective reference work requires knowledge of resources.

Some reference work requires locating quick facts in dictionaries or encyclopedias, while some needs more
complete explanations. Many of these searches require consulting a variety of resources, including both
physical and electronic.

Module 5 focuses on the knowledge of resources. In this module, you will learn:

How and why to examine reference resources in your collection

What resources are considered essential
What resources are available on the web
Why knowing about the Library of Congress Classification makes finding resources easier
EXAMINING AND EVALUATING REFERENCE SOURC ES

PART I: BOOKS

A hands-on approach to print resources

There is no substitute for knowing the reference books, databases, and other electronic resources that your
library offers. It is also important to know which resources are available remotely and which are not, as
virtual patrons must know what they can and cannot use when working from home. Being able to evaluate
these resources for their usefulness is just as important!

Criteria for Evaluating Print Resources

Evaluation Criteria for Print Resources

o Author
o Date of Publication
o Edition or Revision
o Publisher
o Title
o Intended Audience
o Coverage
o Writing Style

Examining the Print Resource

In order to use a reference tool you must approach it with an open yet critical attitude. Do not take a
reference items accuracy for granted! Just because it is in the library collection does not mean it is good,
correct, or up-to-date. Libraries usually strive to keep only the best materials in their reference collections.
Each tool has its strengths and its weaknesses. Only by actually handling the book can you sense its
usefulness.

Book Examination

How can you quickly learn to evaluate and use new or unfamiliar titles? By understanding the parts of a
book! Below is a detailed checklist, which includes the parts of the book and their definition.

Author This is the person responsible for the contents of the book and whose name appears on
the title page. Sometimes there is an editor or compiler instead of an author, and sometimes the
author is an agency or other group. In evaluating a reference book, you can ask yourself if you are
familiar with the authors name and if that person is an authority in the field. Sometimes an agency
with a good reputation sells the use of its name and ends up on a lower quality item, so be alert.
Title Titles often can be very descriptive and tell you quite a bit about the book. Subtitles are
especially helpful in this regard. The title, Best Encyclopedias: A Guide to General and Specialized
Encyclopedias, leaves little doubt about the contents of that book. Not all titles are so helpful, but
 many can be good clues. Sometimes the title on the spine of the book (back edge) is not the same
as the one on the title page.
Volume In a set of several books, each will have its own volume number or letter.
Edition All copies of a book printed from a set of plates makes up an edition. If additional
copies are printed from the same plates, the book has been re-issued. But if any changes are made
in the book, either bringing it up to date or adding material, it is called a new, revised or second (or
later) edition. As a general rule, using the latest available edition provides better and more updated
material, so its wise to check the edition you are using.
Series A series is a number of separate works which are related to each other in some way and
are issued in succession, normally by the publisher and often in uniform style with a collective title.
Place of Publication The place of publication usually appears on the title page, but sometimes
it is on the verso or back of the title page.
Publishers Name This is usually found on the title page. Like authors, publishers gain good or
bad reputations.
Date of Publication The copyright date can appear on the title page or on the verso of the title
page. This is one of the most important things to note about a reference book. Is the material still
current?
Foreword or Preface In the foreword or preface, the author states the purpose for writing the
book and expresses thanks to those who assisted in the writing. Knowing the purpose of the book
gives you a good sense of the kinds of questions you will be able to answer with the book and the
kinds of things you wont expect to find there. The foreword helps you determine the scope of the
book.
Introduction or Instructions for Use This differs from the preface in that it is about the
subject of the book. This is a crucial part of a reference book. It often gives you instructions you
need to understand how the book works. When you pick up a reference book for the first time,
read the introduction!
Table of Contents This gives a list of the chapters or parts of a book.
Text This is the main body of the book. Check for the arrangement of the book. Is it
alphabetical? Chronological? Is it arranged by subject? What information is included for each
entry?
Appendix This is supplementary or added material that cannot easily be introduced into the
text.
Glossary This is a list of unusual, technical, or obsolete terms with definitions or explanations.
It is usually found in the back.
Index This is an alphabetical list of topics, names, etc. in a book or group of books, with
references to pages or item numbers where they occur. Try to get in the habit of checking indexes.

How Will the Resource Be Useful?

When examining a resource thats new to you or in a new edition or format, consider the following aspects
carefully.

Purpose: Why was the book written? What is it intended to do? Does it really do that? Use the
title, foreword or preface, introduction, table of contents, and an examination of the text itself to
help you determine the purpose.
Authority: Is the author qualified to write the book? Is the publisher reputable?
Scope: What does the book really cover? Does the dictionary cover only words currently in use, or
does it contain obsolete words, too? Does the biographical dictionary include only dead people?
Only Americans? Other conditions?
 Audience: Who is the book written for? Is the medical book meant for the lay person or for a
doctor? Is the encyclopedia for a child or for an adult?
Format: How is the book arranged? Does it have an index? Is it easy to use?

If time permits, it can be beneficial to examine one or two reference books in your collection each day. At
the very least, you need to examine each new reference book you receive.

MAJOR POINT: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR KNOWING THE VALUE OF REFERENCE

SOURCES IN YOUR COLLECTION. TO EVALUATE AND USE A RESOURCE EFFECTIVELY, YOU
MUST CAREFULLY EXAMINE ALL PARTS OF A PRINT RESOURCE.
PART II: WEB

A hands-on approach to web resources

Evaluation Criteria for Web Resources

Author
Content
Domain Name
Date of Last Revision
Objectivity
Authority
Accuracy

Web Examination

Consider purpose, authority, scope, audience, and format when evaluating Web resources as well as print
resources. Unfortunately many websites fail to provide this information. A few useful things to consider in
evaluating a website:

What can the URL tell you? Is it from an .edu, .org, .com, or .gov site, or is it somebodys personal
page?
Scan the perimeter of the page, looking for links to About, Background, etc.
Look for the date of the most recent revision or update
Look for indicators of quality information, i.e., who is responsible for the content of the page and
are sources documented?
Are links well-chosen and organized?
What do others say? Look the page up in a reputable directory that evaluates its contents

Premium library databases should also be considered during a reference transaction, depending upon the
information for which the patron is searching.

How Will the Resource Be Useful?

When examining a resource thats new to you or in a new edition or format, consider the following aspects
carefully.

Purpose: Why was the site written? What is it intended to do? Does it really do that? Use the title
and an examination of the site itself to help you determine the purpose.
Authority: Is the author qualified to write the site? Is the publisher reputable?
Scope: What does the site really cover?
Audience: For whom is the site written?
Format: How is the site arranged? Does it have an index? A search box? A site map? Is it easy to
use?
It is helpful to look through your databases and reference sites to learn what resources you have available
and to know how to use them when helping patrons.

MAJOR POINT: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR KNOWING THE VALUE OF THE

ELECTRONIC REFERENCE SOURCES IN YOUR COLLECTION. TO EVALUATE AND USE A
RESOURCE EFFECTIVELY, YOU MUST RECOGNIZE INDICATORS OF QUALITY FOR
WEBSITES.
CATALOG AS REFERENCE SOURCE

The catalog can be your most effective reference tool

The Library Catalog

No matter how many resources you examine every day, you just cannot know all of them! The catalog is an
organized list of the librarys collection and helps you find resources in different ways. Its both a good
beginning to your search strategy and a resource in itself. It is useful in several ways. You can:

Use the catalog to find books which will have sections on your topic, even though the book is not
cataloged under that topic.
o Example: When a patron asks for information on German Shepherds, and the catalog
shows nothing under that specific breed of dog, you would then look up dogs and check
the general books on the subject for chapters on German Shepherds.
Sometimes use the catalog creatively to find a book which will help on more obscure topics.
o Example: Something on old egg beaters might be found in books on kitchen implements,
general antiques, metal tools, folk designs, or histories of technology, among others. It is
good practice to check first under the most specific heading you can think of. If you do not
find what you need, broaden your search.
Use entries for other books on the same subject to help you find the correct subject headings to
use.
o Example: If you do not know the subject heading, you may do a keyword search. If the
term you used is not in a subject heading but appears in the title of a book, from that
catalog record you can often get the correct subject headings to use.
Use the catalog to quickly locate miscellaneous information such as authors names and dates. Or
use call numbers from sources that you found in your search to determine a good place to start
browsing the shelves.

Web, OPAC, ILS

Remember the card catalog? Accessing records for library resources is easier online, but you are still tied to
the location of the machine! Locating terminals throughout the library is one way to loosen those ties. A
more recent concept is roving access, using laptops, iPads, or other tablets connected to Wi-Fi.

Another catalog challenge is connecting the library collection to Web resources. One method to bring all
resources together is to use Dewey (or whatever classification system your library uses) to organize links to
recommended Web resources at the reference workstation and on the Web. Dewey can be used to organize
Web links for users, reinforcing the connection between catalog subject headings and categories of related
Web resources. Increasingly, your catalog may connect to the web and be part of an integrated library
system or ILS.

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.
BASIC LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

How are resources arranged in your library?

Library Organization

Once you know what type of resource you need and the topic, how do you locate the materials in the
library?

Familiarize yourself with the organization of materials in the library. This helps you locate a particular
resource, but will also allow you to go quickly to the best area for browsing the shelves in the reference
collection or throughout the library.

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)

Most academic libraries arrange the books on their shelves using the Library of Congress Subject Headings
(LCSH) classification system. According to the Library of Congresss website,

The system divides all knowledge into twenty-one basic classes, each identified by a single letter of
the alphabet. Most of these alphabetical classes are further divided into more specific subclasses,
identified by two-letter, or occasionally three-letter, combinations. For example, class N, Art, has
subclasses NA, Architecture; NB, Sculpture, ND, Painting; as well as several other subclasses. Each
subclass includes a loosely hierarchical arrangement of the topics pertinent to the subclass, going
from the general to the more specific. Individual topics are often broken down by specific places,
time periods, or bibliographic forms (such as periodicals, biographies, etc.). Each topic (often
referred to as a caption) is assigned a single number or a span of numbers. Whole numbers used in
LCC may range from one to four digits in length, and may be further extended by the use of
decimal numbers. Some subtopics appear in alphabetical, rather than hierarchical, lists and are
represented by decimal numbers that combine a letter of the alphabet with a numeral , e.g. .B72 or
.K535. Relationships among topics in LCC are shown not by the numbers that are assigned to them,
but by indenting subtopics under the larger topics that they are a part of, much like an outline. In
this respect, it is different from more strictly hierarchical classification systems, such as the Dewey
Decimal Classification, where hierarchical relationships among topics are shown by numbers that
can be continuously subdivided.
The Library of Congress Classification (LCC)

Class A: General Works

Subclass AC: Collections, Series, Collected works

Subclass AE: Encyclopedias
Subclass AG: Dictionaries and other general reference works
Subclass AI: Indexes
Subclass AM: Museums, Collectors and collecting
Subclass AN: Newspapers
Subclass AP: Periodicals
Subclass AS: Academies and learned societies
 Subclass AY: Yearbooks, Almanacs, Directories
Subclass AZ: History of scholarship and learning, The humanities

Class B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion

Subclass B: Philosophy (general)

Subclass BC: Logic
Subclass BD: Speculative philosophy
Subclass BF: Psychology
Subclass BH: Aesthetics
Subclass BJ: Ethics
Subclass BL: Religions, Mythology, Rationalism
Subclass BM: Judaism
Subclass BP: Islam, Bahaism, Theosophy, etc.
Subclass BQ: Buddhism
Subclass BR: Christianity
Subclass BS: The Bible
Subclass BT: Doctrinal theology
Subclass BV: Practical theology
Subclass BX: Christian denominations

Class C: Auxiliary Sciences of History

Subclass C: Auxiliary sciences of history (general)

Subclass CB: History of civilization
Subclass CC: Archaeology
Subclass CD: Diplomatics, Archives, Seals
Subclass CE: Technical chronology, Calendar
Subclass CJ: Numismatics
Subclass CN: Inscriptions, Epigraphy
Subclass CR: Heraldry
Subclass CS: Genealogy
Subclass CT: Biography

Class D: World History & History of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

Subclass D: History (general)

Subclass DA: Great Britain
Subclass DAW: Central Europe
Subclass DB: Austria Liechtenstein Hungary Czechoslovakia
Subclass DC: France Andorra Monaco
Subclass DD: Germany
Subclass DE: Greco-Roman World
Subclass DF: Greece
Subclass DG: Italy Malta
Subclass DH: Low countries Benelux countries
Subclass DJ: Netherlands (Holland)
Subclass DJK: Eastern Europe (general)
 Subclass DK: Russia, Soviet Union, Former Soviet Republics, Poland
Subclass DL: Northern Europe, Scandinavia
Subclass DP: Spain Portugal
Subclass DQ: Switzerland
Subclass DR: Balkan Peninsula
Subclass DS: Asia
Subclass DT: Africa
Subclass DU: Oceania (South Seas)
Subclass DX: Romanies

Class E-F: History of the Americas

Class E
11-143: America
151-909: United States

Class F
1-975: United States local history
1001-1145.2: British American (including Canada), Dutch America
1170: French America
1201-3799: Latin America, Spanish America

Class G: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation

Subclass G: Geography (general), Atlases, Maps

Subclass GA: Mathematical geography, Cartography
Subclass GB: Physical geography
Subclass GC: Oceanography
Subclass GE: Environmental sciences
Subclass GF: Human ecology, Anthropogeography
Subclass GN: Anthropology
Subclass GR: Folklore
Subclass GT: Manners and customs (general)
Subclass GV: Recreation, Leisure

Class H: Social Sciences

Subclass H: Social sciences (general)

Subclass HA: Statistics
Subclass HB: Economic theory, Demography
Subclass HC: Economic history and conditions
Subclass HD: Industries, Land use, Labor
Subclass HE: Transportation and communications
Subclass HF: Commerce
Subclass HG: Finance
Subclass HJ: Public finance
Subclass HM: Sociology (general)
Subclass HN: Social history and conditions, Social problems, Social reform
 Subclass HQ: The family, Marriage, Women
Subclass HS: Societies: secret, benevolent, etc.
Subclass HT: Communities, Classes, Races
Subclass HV: Social pathology, Social and public welfare, Criminology
Subclass HX: Socialism, Communism, Anarchism

Class J: Political Science

Subclass J: General legislative and executive papers

Subclass JA: Political science (general)
Subclass JC: Political theory
Subclass JF: Political institutions and public administration
Subclass JJ: Political institutions and public administration (North America)
Subclass JK: Political institutions and public administration (United States)
Subclass JL: Political institutions and public administration (Canada, Latin America, etc.)
Subclass JN: Political institutions and public administration (Europe)
Subclass JQ: Political institutions and public administration (Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific area)
Subclass JS: Local government, Municipal government
Subclass JV: Colonies and colonization, Emigration and immigration, International migration
Subclass JZ: International relations

Class K: Law

Subclass K: Law in general, Comparative and uniform law, Jurisprudence

Subclass KB: Religious law in general, Comparative religious law, Jurisprudence
Subclass KBM: Jewish law
Subclass KBP: Islamic law
Subclass KBR: History of canon law
Subclass KBU: Law of the Roman Catholic Church, Holy See
Subclasses KD-KDK: United Kingdom and Ireland
Subclass KDZ: America, North America
Subclass KE: Canada
Subclass KF: United States
Subclass KG: Latin America Mexico and Central America West Indies, Caribbean area
Subclass KH: South America
Subclasses KJ-KKZ: Europe
Subclasses KL-KWZ: Asia and Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Area, and Antarctica
Subclass KZ: Law of nations

Class L: Education

Subclass L: Education (general)

Subclass LA: History of education
Subclass LB: Theory and practice of education
Subclass LC: Special aspects of education
Subclass LD: Individual institutions United States
Subclass LE: Individual institutions America (except United States)
Subclass LF: Individual institutions Europe
 Subclass LG: Individual institutions Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Australia, New Zealand,
Pacific islands
Subclass LH: College and school magazines and papers
Subclass LJ: Student fraternities and sororities, United States
Subclass LT: Textbooks

Class M: Music

Subclass M: Music
Subclass ML: Literature on music
Subclass MT: Instruction and study

Class N: Fine Arts

Subclass N: Visual arts

Subclass NA: Architecture
Subclass NB: Sculpture
Subclass NC: Drawing, Design, Illustration
Subclass ND: Painting
Subclass NE: Print media
Subclass NK: Decorative arts
Subclass NX: Arts in general

Class P: Language and Literature

Subclass P: Philology, Linguistics

Subclass PA: Greek language and literature, Latin language and literature
Subclass PB: Modern languages, Celtic languages
Subclass PC: Romance languages
Subclass PD: Germanic languages, Scandinavian languages
Subclass PE: English language
Subclass PF: West Germanic languages
Subclass PG: Slavic languages, Baltic languages, Albanian language
Subclass PH: Uralic languages, Basque languages
Subclass PJ: Oriental languages and literatures
Subclass PK: Indo-Iranian languages and literatures
Subclass PL: Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania
Subclass PM: Hyperborean, India, and artificial languages
Subclass PN: Literature (general)
Subclass PQ: French literature Italian literature Spanish literature Portuguese literature
Subclass PR: English literature
Subclass PS: American literature
Subclass PT: German literature Dutch literature Flemish literature since 1830 Afrikaans
literature - Scandinavian literature Old Norse literature: Old Icelandic and Old
Norwegian Modern Icelandic literature Faroese literature Danish literature
Norwegian literature Swedish literature
Subclass PZ: Fiction and juvenile belles lettres
Class Q: Science

Subclass Q: Science (general)

Subclass QA: Mathematics
Subclass QB: Astronomy
Subclass QC: Physics
Subclass QD: Chemistry
Subclass QE: Geology
Subclass QH: Natural history Biology
Subclass QK: Botany
Subclass QL: Zoology
Subclass QM: Human Anatomy
Subclass QP: Physiology
Subclass QR: Microbiology

Class R: Medicine

Subclass R: Medicine (general)

Subclass RA: Public aspects of medicine
Subclass RB: Pathology
Subclass RC: Internal medicine
Subclass RD: Surgery
Subclass RE: Ophthalmology
Subclass RF: Otorhinolaryngology
Subclass G: Gynecology and obstetrics
Subclass RJ: Pediatrics
Subclass RK: Dentistry
Subclass RL: Dermatology
Subclass RM: Therapeutics, Pharmacology
Subclass RS: Pharmacy and materia medica
Subclass RT: Nursing
Subclass RV: Botanic, Thomsonian, and eclectic medicine
Subclass RX: Homeopathy
Subclass RZ: Other systems of medicine

Class S: Agriculture

Subclass S: Agriculture (general)

Subclass SB: Plant culture
Subclass SD: Forestry
Subclass SF: Animal culture
Subclass SH: Aquaculture, fisheries, angling
Subclass SK: Hunting sports

Class T: Technology

Subclass T: Technology (general)

Subclass TA: Engineering (general), Civil engineering
 Subclass TC: Hydraulic engineering, Ocean engineering
Subclass TD: Environmental technology, Sanitary engineering
Subclass TE: Highway engineering, Roads and pavements
Subclass TF: Railroad engineering and operation
Subclass TG: Bridge engineering
Subclass TH: Building construction
Subclass TJ: Mechanical engineering and machinery
Subclass TK: Electrical engineering, Electronics, Nuclear engineering
Subclass TL: Motor vehicles, Aeronautics, Astronautics
Subclass TN: Mining engineering, Metallurgy
Subclass TP: Chemical technology
Subclass TR: Photography
Subclass TS: Manufactures
Subclass TT: Handicrafts, Arts and crafts
Subclass TX: Home economics

Subclass U: Military Science

Subclass U: Military science (general)

Subclass UA: Armies: organization, distribution, military situation
Subclass UB: Military administration
Subclass UC: Maintenance and transportation
Subclass UD: Infantry
Subclass UE: Calvary, Armor
Subclass UF: Artillery
Subclass UG: Military engineering, Air forces
Subclass UH: Other services

Class V: Naval Science

Subclass V: Naval science (general)

Subclass VA: Navies: organization, distribution, naval situation
Subclass VB: Naval administration
Subclass VC: Naval maintenance
Subclass VD: Naval seamen
Subclass VE: Marines
Subclass VF: Naval ordinance
Subclass VG: Minor services of navies
Subclass VK: Navigation, Merchant marine
Subclass VM: Naval architecture, Shipbuilding, Marine engineering

Class Z: Bibliography, Library Science, Information Resources (general)

Subclass Z: Books (general), Writing, Paleography, Book industries and trade, Libraries,
Bibliography
Subclass ZA: Information resources (general)
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

Many databases are available to Ohio libraries.

Electronic Databases, OhioLINK, and the Internet

Many indexes and directories and other reference works exist in electronic format and are available as
stand-alone databases, through OhioLINK (The Ohio Library and Information Network), or through the
Internet. Some have print equivalents and some do not.

What are the advantages of e-resources?

Speed of searching. Often many years of an index can be searched at once.

More access points. Paper files must be arranged in one logical order (for example, alphabetically),
with separate indexes for each additional way of looking up something. This limits the ways you
can search. But an electronic database on businesses, for example, may have dozens of different
ways to find the information: telephone number, date of incorporation, size of business, executives
names, etc.
Ability to combine terms. Its possible to search under multiple access points all at once. For
example, you can easily get a list of businesses in Ohio established after 1990 that employ 100
people. Such searching would be extremely time consuming to do manually.
Ability to get information not otherwise available. More and more information now exists only in
electronic format.

What are the disadvantages?

You must be familiar with online searching, and search procedures vary widely among the various
databases.
The chances of finding clues through serendipity are eliminated.
An error in spelling or typing can mean no results at all.
Some search costs may be passed on to the patron.

MAJOR POINT: ELECTRONIC DATABASES, OPLIN, AND THE INTERNET CONNECT YOUR
LIBRARY TO RESOURCES AROUND THE WORLD.
INTERNET RESOURCES

Libraries on the Internet are part of a worldwide network of information

Resources on the Web

The Internet is a direct source of information for your patrons and a tool for you to use when assisting
them. Many library resources are provided for patrons on the Internet, locally or through statewide
systems.

Some libraries provide service to patrons from the Web as if it were another branch a branch patrons can
visit without leaving home! Reference service in some areas is provided with real time Internet access or via
email. Libraries serve their communities; and growing numbers of people in our communities want 24/7
access to information, from wherever they happen to be!

Whats Recommended?

Websites may provide content, allow you to search for useful sites, or serve as an index to the content of
other sites. Many libraries provide organized lists or databases of recommended sites for staff and patrons.
The following examples of lists of recommended reference websites are from ALA sections:

ETS: Best of Free Reference Web Sites Combined Index.

The Best of the Best Business Web Sites, organized by subjects and compiled by the Business
Reference and Services Section (BRASS).
Additional Resources:

Refdesk has quick facts and indexed information.

Google Scholar and Stanford Universitys HighWire are excellent jumping off points when
searching for scholarly articles on a specific topic.
And, yes, its okay to START with a crowd sourced site such as Wikipedia or wikiHow, especially on
a topic unknown to you, but remember to always consult reputable sources through the references
and external links that are provided.
Evaluating the Internet as a Tool

As technology develops, one of the primary roles of libraries will be to help patrons discern the quality,
accuracy, and value of the information they find. For example, trying the same search with several search
engines will yield different results.

Purpose: Why was the site created? What is it intended to do? Does it really do that? Look at
pages telling about the site, site index, menu bar, table of contents, and an examination of the text
itself to help you determine the purpose.
Authority: Is the author or producer of the site qualified and reputable? Is information regularly
updated?
Scope: What does the site really cover? How extensive is the coverage?
Audience: Who is the site written for? If, for example, the site is health related, is it meant for the
lay person or for a doctor? For a child or for an adult?
Format: How is the site arranged? Does it have an index? Is it easy to use and navigate?
YOUR LIBRARYS RESOURCES
 When you know someone will ask again

Building your own information files

You will save time and serve patrons better by not re-doing work already done, and by anticipating
questions you will be asked. Establish your own files (or bookmark Web sources) in the following
categories:

1. Answers to questions often asked. For example:

o The population of your town.
o The origin of the towns name
o The address of your legislators. (Be sure to note changes in office holders.)
o How to say Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday in several languages.
o The address of websites with reliable local information.

2. If it was hard to find, save it. Even if the question seems so unique it will never be asked again,
chances are it will be!

3. Anticipate questions. If a big story is breaking in the news, gather background information and
have it handy. Clip current newspaper articles or bookmark them if there is a Web version.
Bookmark other relevant websites.

4. Track annual or every semester homework assignments.

Building a Pamphlet File (Vertical File)

Your library may also have pamphlet files. They are a way to house information that comes in shapes and
sizes that dont fit well on book shelves, or that you dont want to take the time and expense to catalog fully
as books. They can be arranged in file folders or hanging folder by subject or by Dewey (or other)
classification system to coordinate with other print resources. They are especially useful for local
information on companies, attractions, residents, etc. Formats may include:

Pamphlets
Photos
Photocopies of articles
Single sheets of information
Booklets
Maps and travel brochures.

You will need to make a decision on whether the material can be checked out of your library or must be
used in the library.
Organizing and Classifying

A simple way to find subject headings for your folders is to use the system used for your library catalog. If
your branch has a pamphlet file already set up, it may be your job to add to it and weed it, i.e., get rid of
old, obsolete material you no longer need. Be wary, however, of throwing away anything that might be of
value to local historians. If you have items that pertain to your own community, no matter how old, you
should check with your supervisor before discarding them.

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.
RECAP

What have you learned?

1. Lists
o 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 websites.
o Major Point: Identify and familiarize yourself with recommended resources in your library
and on the Web.
2. Catalog
o The catalog can be your most effective reference tool. The catalog is an organized list of the
librarys collection and helps you find resources in different ways. Consider ways to
connect the catalog to Web resources.
o 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.
3. Examining and Evaluating
o Think of the world as your resource and do not feel you are limited to reference books or
websites. Understand the parts of a reference book and examine them thoroughly for
effective use. Know how to evaluate websites.
o 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
websites.
4. Types
o Different types or kinds of resources serve very different purposes. Typical examples of
reference books are bibliographies, 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.
o Major Point: Know what to expect from different types of resources and match the
resource to the question.
5. Library of Congress
o Library resources are arranged by the Library of Congress Classification System.
Understand what subjects are represented by the classification numbers.
o Major Point: Understanding the classification system used for your librarys collection or
Web links will help you find resources quickly.
6. Websites
o Websites may have helpful content, often directly from the source such as government
agencies, health organizations, universities, and other educational institutions. Some we
sites provide carefully chosen and indexed guides to other websites. Many libraries provide
organized lists of recommended sites for staff and patrons.
o Major Point: Libraries provide access to information for the communities they serve. The
best access for many users is on the Web.
7. Your files
o 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 librarys website.
o 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.
MODULE 5 QUIZ
1. What is the purpose of using a classification such as LCSH for your library collections?

2. Why is it important for you to carefully examine and evaluate reference resources? Give some
specific examples of the value of knowing resources well.

3. Describe what is meant by purpose, authority, scope, audience, and format in relation to a
reference tool.

4. If you dont know very much about a topic, what are two good print resources to get you started?

5. If you dont know very much about a topic, what are two good Web resources to get you started?