It’s become cliché to say that the reference and information services world has changed radically over the last decade and a half, largely—but not exclusively—because of the rise of digital and networked information resources and communication technologies. Much of prior professional knowledge, especially about information sources, has come into question, including how important or relevant “knowing sources” is in a Googlified world.
This project will give you the opportunity to explore how this professional domain has changed and is changing, through a variety of experiences and venues.
You are to work in the same groups of 2 or 3 on both parts.
Part A: Project Reference
For this part of the project, your group will be given a series of three tasks over the course of the quarter. For each, you will be given instructions on what you’re to accomplish, what educational objectives are involved, and how you are to deliver your finished work, along with any constraints or restrictions where relevant.
The model I have in mind here is along the lines of challenges you might see on a show like Project Runway, where talented people work on tasks that are meant to stretch their creativity and skills. Obviously, nobody’s going to get eliminated here (and we’ll dispense with the faux-sincere air-kiss sendoff), but your work is expected to be at a high professional level.
Your work will be evaluated on how well your final product conforms with instructions, creativity and originality, demonstrated understanding of educational objectives, insight and thoroughness of your work and the overall quality of your presentation.
Tentatively, these tasks are scheduled to be completed on April 29, May 13, and May 25 and will be announced at least a week in advance in each case.
Part B: A Professional Voice
For this part of the project, your group has a choice between two professional venues to think about what has happened and will happen in the world of library reference work: writing an article on forms and formats, or helping me plan a presentation at this year’s ALA conference.
Choice One: Forms Past and Future
There are a number of forms or genres of information sources that just aren’t that vital any more, but which had significant utility in the past. I’d include forms such as the one-volume encyclopedia, the concordance, the yearbook, the factbook, the reverse directory, the biographical dictionary and the gazetteer on such a list.
This leads to an intriguing and obvious question: why those? Other forms (dictionaries, catalogs, almanacs, directories, journal indexes) are still important and useful, whether in print or digital manifestations. So what does the demise of these particular forms tell us about the changing nature of information sources and services and where we are likely headed from here?
You are to explore this question (and others you believe relevant) in an article for Library Journal. The article should be between 2000-2500 words, and written for a general professional audience. If you wish to write for a more specific venue, community or audience, please check with me first. You may, if you wish, differ with my list; if so, append a brief justification for your choices (and don’t include this in the article or your word count).
Your paper will be evaluated on your depth of research, analysis and thought, the appropriateness of your submission for the venue, and the overall quality of your presentation.
Choice Two: State of the Union
I’ve been asked to give the keynote at a RUSA preconference at ALA this June. Here’s the descriptive blurb the organizers sent me:
The idea at the moment is to try to give a basic ‘state of the union’ that talks both about changes that have recently happened (or are underway now) that are likely to be substantive and long-lasting, as well as talking about (at least some) traditional skills / core values that remain relevant, and that can be adapted and put to good use in our new environment.
That covers a lot of territory, so I turn to you for your help. If you were making this presentation, what would you do? You are to research and analyze the current state of reference practice in North America, paying attention to recent developments of note or interest to this audience.
The nature and format of what you submit to me is up to you, although it could take a variety of forms, and it must demonstrate your professional judgment and perspective on this area, and it must be suitable for this setting. (Given that it will be assessed as an alternative to the article listed above, what you submit must demonstrate at least an equivalent level of effort to the writing of an article such as that.)
It is quite possible that I will use portions of work done here in my actual presentation, but as students you always own your work, so if I do I will be sure to name and cite you in my presentation. If for any reason your group does not wish me to use or cite what you develop, please so indicate in what you submit to me, and I will honor your request (and such a decision will, of course, have no effect on my evaluation or your grade).
Your work will be evaluated on your depth of research, analysis and thought, the appropriateness of your findings for the setting and audience, and the overall quality of your presentation.
For Part B, groups are encouraged to submit drafts or plans before May 20 for commentary and feedback.
This part of the project is due by 12:00 noon on June 8.