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**Module 5: Reference resources (Reference Excellence)**

====Effective reference work requires an awareness of resources ====

**Where are the answers?**

Some reference work requires locating quick facts. Many searches are more complex, and require consulting a variety of resources, either in print and online. 

Module 5 helps you learn about reference resources.

You will learn:

  * How to use reference resources
  * Resources that are considered essential
  * Understanding Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) helps find the right resources
  * Resources that are available online
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====Examining resources====

**Criteria for evaluating resources**

Once you have clarified and verified the patron's question, you need to find the information or assist the patron to find the information.

Evaluation criteria for information resources:

  * Author 
  * Title
  * Date of Publication / Currency 
  * Edition or Date of last revision
  * Publisher / Authority / Domain name / Association
  * Intended Audience / Purpose
  * Objectivity / Bias
  * Scope / Coverage
  * Format
  * Writing Style

**Is this resource appropriate?**

When examining a resource consider the following: -

  * Purpose: Why was it written? What is it intended to do? Does it really do that? For published works, use the title, foreword or preface, introduction, table of contents, and an examination of the text itself to help you determine the purpose. For online resources look at FAQ, About, Background, Contact details etc.
  * Authority: For publications, is the author qualified to write the book? Is the publisher reputable? For online information, is it from an .edu, .org, or .gov site? Look at who is responsible for the content of the page and are sources documented?
  * Scope: What does the work really cover? Does the dictionary cover only words currently in use, or does it contain obsolete words, too? Does the content relate to Australia or the World?
  * Audience: Who is it written for? Is the medical book / website meant for the lay person or for a doctor? Is the encyclopaedia for a child or for an adult?
  * Format: How is the information arranged? Is there a detailed index? Is it easy to use? Does it have an explanation of layout, abbreviations and use?


It can be beneficial to examine one or two reference resources in your collection regularly.

//**Major Point: Think of all the resources in your library and online as potential reference sources. Be able to evaluate them.**//


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**Exercises for 'Is this resource appropriate?'**

1. Use a ready reference book (like a dictionary) from the library collection. Examine the book and identify each of these parts.

  * Author, Title, Volume, Edition, Series, Place of Publication, Publisher's Name, Date of Publication
  * Foreword or Preface
  * Table of Contents
  * Introduction or Instructions for Use
  * Text
  * Appendix, Glossary, or Index
  * Special features such as charts, graphs, photos

2. Describe the purpose, authority, scope, audience, and format of the resource.

3. Choose another reference book, one you haven't used before, and answer questions 1 and 2 for that book.

4. Answer question 2 (above) in relation to a Government website.  

[[module_5_answers_and_review_ref-ex|Module 5 Answers and review]]

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====Using the catalogue====

The library catalogue can be your most effective reference tool.

**The library catalogue**

You can view a library catalogue as a small search engine which helps you find library resources in different ways. It's both a good beginning to your strategy and a resource in itself. It is useful in several ways.

  * Use the catalogue to find books on your topic or to locate books on broader topics that may include related content. For example, if a patron asks for information on German Shepherds, and the catalogue 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.
  * It is good practice to check first under the most specific heading you can think of. If you don't 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. For example, if you don't know the subject heading, you may do a keyword search. If the term you used isn't in a subject heading but appears in the title of a book, from that catalogue record you can get the correct subject headings to use.
  * Use the catalogue to quickly locate information such as author names and dates or a series. 
  * Call numbers from resources that you found in your search can be a good place to start browsing the shelves.

//**Major Point: The catalogue is a good place to start your search.**//

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**Exercises for using the catalogue**

1. Search for information on a country in Europe you would like to visit. Use a keyword search in your library catalogue.

Once you have a results list: -

  - Narrow the search to list only travel guides
  - Use a 'subject heading' in one of the items in your results list to obtain information about one particular country
  -  Refine your search to only list non-book items in the collection that satisfy your search


2. Use the advanced search option to look for the Harry Potter Series. How many items are in the series?

3. Can you search your library catalogue for a DVD released last year? How many does your library hold?


[[module_5_answers_and_review_ref-ex|Module 5 Answers and review]]

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====Types of resources====

There are some good places to start in addition to the catalogue. The information need identified in the reference interview determines the type (format) of resource needed. 

Search strategies can be applied regardless of the format of the information.

Brief descriptions of the basic types of resources available in the library or online are provided here. 

  * The catalogue is always a good place to start your search. Search the catalogue for general and detailed information on a topic.

  * Specialist collections in your library may include local studies. Newspapers are a key part of this collection; older editions may be [[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/|accessed via Trove]] or on microfilm.

  * An encyclopaedia contains information about a broad range of topics or one special topic. Encyclopaedia entries (articles) are often alphabetised. Encyclopaedias are often available online.

  * Online databases are aggregated online resources bringing together many publications. These may be newspapers, journals or ebooks. [[https://www.nswnet.net/|NSW.net]] provides statewide access to databases. Have a look at these resources. Find out about any databases your library or council subscribes to.

  * Investigate the apps or mobile sites of the databases your library subscribes to (including Statewide licences). Practice accessing these on a range of mobile devices.

  * An atlas contains maps. Special subject atlases are also available on history, astronomy, archaeology, the environment and other topics.

  * Dictionaries list the words in a language or subject alphabetically, giving definitions, pronunciation, and etymology (where the word came from).

  * Directories give brief information about people, organisations, companies, or institutions. Information may include addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, and web sites.

  * Develop your skills using the advanced search options in search engines such as Google. For example adding site:au to your search limits the results to web sites with .au in the address.


**Subject headings for resource types**

Subject headings in the catalogue will indicate the type (form) of a resource. Many resources can be located quickly by doing a catalogue keyword search that combines your topic along with resource types such as atlas, encyclopedias, or dictionaries, or for example:

  * Chemistry--Dictionaries
  * Railways--Encyclopedias
  * Rivers--Atlas

//**Major Point: Know what different types of resources are available in the library and online.**//

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**Exercises for types of resources**

1. Identify one of each of the following in your library or online: atlas, dictionary, directory and encyclopaedia.

2. Cite the resources that contain information about your local area.
 
3. Use [[https://www.google.com.au/advanced_search|Google Advanced]] to find information on

  * a recent current event
  * an authoritative free online tutorial
  * an authoritative article on breast cancer


4. Undertake a detailed information search using one of your library's online databases. Use the quick search or keyword search to locate information about 'weather'.

Once you have a results list: -

  - Narrow the search to list information only about cyclones
  - Use a 'subject heading' in one of the items in your results list to obtain information about a particular aspect of cyclones
  - Refine your search to only list works published in the past three (3) years.
  - Click on the 'cite' function in the database and record the Harvard or AP6 citation of one journal article.


[[module_5_answers_and_review_ref-ex|Module 5 Answers and review]]

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====Dewey Decimal Classification====

**Library organisation**

Once you know what type of resource you need and the topic, how do you locate the materials in the library? Are the resources in your library arranged using Dewey Decimal Classification or another classification?

Familiarise yourself with the organisation 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.

**Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)**

The 100 Divisions

Most public libraries arrange their non-fiction collections on their shelves using Dewey Decimal Classification. This is a numerical arrangement which puts books on the same subject together on the shelves. Letters relating to the item, or the specific collection may also form part of the call number.

Libraries may use broader subject rooms or themes to arrange their collections, as used by some bookshops.

Some libraries, especially larger ones and academic libraries, use a different classification developed by the [[https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcc.html#:~:text=The%20system%20divides%20all%20knowledge,occasionally%20three%2Dletter%2C%20combinations.|Library of Congress]]. It uses a combination of letters and numbers, and you may see this used on books you borrow from other libraries.


**DDC major subdivisions**

For information about the [[https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/ddc23-summaries.pdf|history and use of Dewey Decimal Classification]] and the expanded DDC table, consult the [[https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/resources/summaries/deweysummaries.pdf|OCLC web site]]:

__**Generalities**__
  * 000 Computers, Internet & systems
  * 010 Bibliographies
  * 020 Library & information science
  * 030 Encyclopedias & books of facts
  * 040 [Unassigned]
  * 050 Magazines, journals & serials
  * 060 Associations, organisations & museums
  * 070 Journalism, publishing & news media
  * 080 Quotations
  * 090 Manuscripts & rare books
__**Philosophy**__
  * 100 Philosophy
  * 110 Metaphysics
  * 120 Epistemology
  * 130 Astrology, parapsychology & the occult
  * 140 Philosophical schools of thought
  * 150 Psychology
  * 160 Logic
  * 170 Ethics
  * 180 Ancient, medieval & Eastern philosophy
  * 190 Modern western philosophy
__**Religion**__
  * 200 Religion
  * 210 Philosophy & theory of religion
  * 220 The Bible
  * 230 Christianity & Christian theology
  * 240 Christian practice & observance
  * 250 Christ. pastoral practice & religious orders
  * 260 Church org., social work & worship
  * 270 History of Christianity
  * 280 Christian denominations
  * 290 Other religions
__**Social sciences**__
  * 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology
  * 310 Statistics
  * 320 Political science
  * 330 Economics
  * 340 Law
  * 350 Public administration & military science
  * 360 Social problems & social services
  * 370 Education
  * 380 Commerce, communications, transportation
  * 390 Customs, etiquette & folklore
__**Languages**__
  * 400 Language
  * 410 Linguistics
  * 420 English & Old English Languages
  * 430 German & related languages
  * 440 French & related languages
  * 450 Italian, Romanian & related languages
  * 460 Spanish & Portuguese languages
  * 470 Latin & Italic languages
  * 480 Classical & modern Greek languages
  * 490 Other languages
__ **Pure sciences**__
  * 500 Science
  * 510 Mathematics
  * 520 Astronomy
  * 530 Physics
  * 540 Chemistry
  * 550 Earth sciences & geology
  * 560 Fossils & prehistoric life
  * 570 Biology & life sciences
  * 580 Plants (Botany)
  * 590 Animals (Zoology)
__**Technology (applied sciences)**__
  * 600 Technology
  * 610 Medicine
  * 620 Engineering
  * 630 Agriculture
  * 640 Home & family management
  * 650 Management & public relations
  * 660 Chemical engineering
  * 670 Manufacturing
  * 680 Manufacturing specific products
  * 690 Building & construction
__**Arts**__
  * 700 Arts
  * 710 Landscaping & area planning
  * 720 Architecture
  * 730 Sculpture, ceramics & metalwork
  * 740 Drawing & decorative arts
  * 750 Painting
  * 760 Graphic arts
  * 770 Photography
  * 780 Music
  * 790 Sports, games & entertainment
__**Literature (belles-lettres)**__
  * 800 Literature, rhetoric & criticism
  * 810 American literature in English
  * 820 English & Old English literatures
  * 830 German & related literatures
  * 840 French & related literatures
  * 850 Italian, Romanian & related literatures
  * 860 Spanish & Portuguese literatures
  * 870 Latin & Italic literatures
  * 880 Classical & modern Greek literatures
  * 890 Other literatures
__**General geography & history**__
  * 900 History
  * 910 Geography & travel
  * 920 Biography & genealogy
  * 930 History of ancient world (to ca. 499 A.D.)
  * 940 History of Europe (ca. 500 A.D.- )
  * 950 History of Asia
  * 960 History of Africa
  * 970 History of North America
  * 980 History of South America
  * 990 History of other regions including Australasia  

//**Major Point: Understanding Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) will help you find resources.**//

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**Exercises for Dewey Decimal Classification**

1. How many places in your library can you locate resources that have a DDC number in the 900s? What are the different locations?

2. The shelving in the 500s has been replaced, and you are to re-shelve the resources. The resources have the following spine labels. Please put the labels in a shelf list order.  The collection is integrated - so Junior Non-Fiction is integrated with Non-Fiction. 
 
  - 572.86 HEN
  - 578.680994 STE
  - J567.90994 AUS
  - J567.91 GRA
  - 572.86 HEN
  - 578.68 WIL
  - J572.4358 COL
  - 567.90994 RIC


[[module_5_answers_and_review_ref-ex|Module 5 Answers and review]]


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====Module 5 Answers and review====

[[module_5_answers_and_review_ref-ex|Module 5 Answers and review]]

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==== Other modules for Reference Excellence ====

**Reference Excellence - self paced reference and information services training**

[[About ref-ex|About Reference Excellence]]

[[Module 1 Overview of the reference process ref-ex|Module 1 Overview of the reference process]]

[[Module 2 Reference interview skills and question types ref-ex|Module 2 Reference interview skills and question types]]

[[Module 3 People skills, reference behaviours ref-ex|Module 3 People skills, reference behaviours]]

[[Module 4 Search strategies ref-ex|Module 4 Search strategies]]

[[Module 5 Reference resources ref-ex|Module 5 Reference resources]]

[[Module 6 Ethics and legislation ref-ex|Module 6 Ethics and legislation]]

[[Module 7 Roving reference ref-ex|Module 7 Roving reference]]

[[Module 8 Local studies ref-ex|Module 8 Local studies]]

[[Module 9 Family history ref-ex|Module 9 Family history]]

[[Module 10 Children ref-ex|Module 10 Children]]

[[Module 11 Young adults ref-ex|Module 11 Young adults]]

[[Module 12 Corporate library services ref-ex|Module 12 Corporate library services]]

[[Module 13 Technology reference services ref-ex|Module 13 Technology reference services]]