|
| |
LIS454 introduces the core concepts, principles, search techniques and strategies needed
for information professional to manage electronic resources and provide quality
bibliographic search services in a
variety of environments. We will learn database industry landscape, database structure
and search techniques,
a variety of domain-based database content and search strategies, specialty
search and federated searching. We will cover the budget planning, pricing
models, licensing negotiation, and link and authentication technology that are
fundamental to managing electronic resources. We will also address the evolving
roles of electronic resource librarian and discuss the current trends and future
development of electronic resource management.
Multiple database systems will be used, including Dialog, EBSCO, Factiva, JSTOR,
and others. We will also use the electronic databases that Simmons Library
subscribes to.
This is a practical and hands-on course designed to prepare students for working
proficiently with electronic resources, which are infused into the daily
workings of the library and information center. Specifically, this course helps
students to become an electronic resource librarian or a professional librarian whose part of
responsibility involves handling electronic resources.
-- Click the
buttons below to get more detailed information --
- Course Description via
GSLIS Catalog:
Provides a survey of the use and management of commercial electronic resources.
The course will focus on search strategies and logics as applied on online
databases in bibliographic, full-text, numeric and directory formats. Focuses on
management consideration such as client relationships, collection development,
equipment purchasing, and the management of public access services. Trends in
electronic publishing both in multimedia CD-ROM and the World Wide Web are
explored. Instructional methods include lecture, online demonstration, hands-on
training, and guest speakers.
- Course Objectives:
- To
prepare students with the core knowledge and essential skills for
managing electronic resources;
- To
cultivate informed opinions and develop the awareness of issues and
trends in the database marketplace and the strategies of providing
electronic resources services in challenging economic climates;
- To
establish the quality of a professional information searcher with a
general proficiency in pre-search interviewing, search strategy
organization and planning, search result evaluation for the solution of
real information problems for clients;
- To learn
database characteristics and arrangement of Dialog, factiva, and other
databases through physical inspection and retrieval exercises. To understand the
general principles of literature search in a variety of online databases
and search systems
- To
learn about budget planning, licensing/negotiation, and technology
underpinning of electronic resource management;
- To
achieve the ability to transfer the knowledge and skills learned for one
system to an unfamiliar database. To develop the proficiency in using
documentation and search aids to learn about the scope, coverage, unique
features, and search language of the unfamiliar database and perform
quality searches in such a system;
- Student
Learning Outcomes [by number}: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10
-
Demonstrate knowledge of print and electronic information retrieval
procedures.
- Develop
user-centered strategies for solving reference service problems, while
demonstrating a command of current issues and trends
-
Analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and knowledge in a
variety of formats.
- Assess,
create, and evaluate systems for managing content.
-
Respond to
diversity among individuals and communities through policies,
collections, and services.
-
Analyze
information problems and develop solutions drawing from a wide range of
information technology tools and practices.
The class time is
typically divided into two parts with the first half for lecture, demo, and
class discussion, and the second part featuring guest presenters who are either
from a vendor company (dialog, factiva, EBSCO, Jstor, Ex Libris, etc.) or a database expert
and practicing electronic
resource librarian. Practitioner guest speakers/presenters are from institutions
such as Boston University, Harvard University,
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Massachusetts
Board of Library Commissioners.
The course focuses on embarking two kinds of practical
knowledge/experience: what is needed to become a successful electronic resource
librarian; and what is needed to understand the structure and searching
mechanisms of individual databases and vendor systems.
III.
IDs and
Passwords to Dialog, Lexis/Nexis, factiva, etc.:
For Dialog
and
Lexis/Nexis, each of you will have an ID to sign on. Note:
These IDs and passwords are for classroom instruction purpose only and
will expire once the semester ends. Please DO NOT use it for any tasks
other than for class projects and assignments.
For factiva, the class will share a ID/password to complete assignment or
in-class exercises.
You will be able
to use the terminals in GSLIS Lab for your assignments and projects, and your dialog
and factiva assignments can be done using any computers that has Internet
connection.
|
Rong Tang 2010.