NSW public library wiki

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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. 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.

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 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

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 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 history and use of Dewey Decimal Classification and the expanded DDC table, consult the 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.

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 500's 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 are integrated with Non-Fiction.