This unit introduces students to the major categories of information resources in all media and how they are accessed through a variety of common user interfaces from anywhere in the world. The process of satisfying these needs through the reference interview and the application of skilled search strategies is explored. The ways that information resources are procured by libraries and e-repositories through purchase or licensing, and supplied to users on a cost-effective, efficient basis are examined. Access and authentication, intellectual property law and professional duty of care are described.
2 hrs lecture/wk, 1 hr seminar/wk
Workload commitments are:
For on-campus students:
Lectures: 2 hours per week
Seminar/Tutorial Sessions: 1 hour per week per tutorial
Off-campus students generally do not attend lecture and tutorial sessions, however, you should plan to spend equivalent time listening to lectures online via MULO and undertaking tutorial exercises.
All students spend an additional 9 hours per week engaging in discussion forms, completing tutorial exercises, undertaking assignments, private study and revision.
FIT5015, IMS3616, IMS5016, LAR3650, LAR3652
Completion of 36 credit points at level 1 or equivalent
Sue McKemmish
Tom Denison
Andrew Dixon
Examination (3 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: Discussion Topics 1-5 | 25%: note up to 20% of this mark (5 marks) will be deducted for non-participation in related tutorials by on-campus students, non-completion of tutorial exercises by off-campus students; and non-participation in discussion forum. | Topic 1: 16 March 2012; Topic 2: 23 March 2012; Topic 3: 30 March 2012; Topic 4: 5 April 2012; Topic 5: 13 April 2012 |
| Assignment 2: Evaluation of an information service | 25%: note up to 20% of this mark (5 marks) will be deducted for non-participation in related tutorials by on-campus students, non-completion of tutorial exercises by off-campus students; and non-participation in discussion forum. | Report due 4 May 2012, Presentations scheduled Week 9 to Week 11 |
| Examination 1 | 50%: Please note that this has been changed to a 2 hour exam | To be advised |
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
The unit's content has been substantially revised and updated this year in response to student, staff and industry feedback.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
Peter Brophy. (2007). The library in the twenty-first century . (2nd) London: Facet Publishing.
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Students will need to familiarise themselves with the information contained in this unit guide as well as materials on the unit website (eg lecture notes and tutorial activities) | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 |
| 1 | The variety of information services and organisations | No seminar/tutorial |
| 2 | The information multiverse: physical, digital and virtual information resources/collections and meta-collections | Seminar Topic 1: The multiverse of information services |
| 3 | Understanding user information needs: Information seeking behaviour; user needs analysis; the reference interview | Seminar Topic 2: The multiverse of information resources. Assignment 1 Topic 1 due |
| 4 | Understanding user information needs: Information literacy | Seminar Topic 3: User needs analysis/the reference interview. Assignment 1 Topic 2 due |
| 5 | Building information resource collections in libraries (library collection management; principles and tools; cooperative schemes and networks, e.g. DocDel, ILL) | Seminar Topic 4: Library collection management. Assignment 1 Topic 3 due |
| 6 | Building information resource collections in archives (archival appraisal and collection policies; principles and tools; cooperative schemes and networks) | Seminar Topic 5: Archival appraisal and collection policies. Assignment 1 Topic 4 due |
| 7 | Designing access to information resources/collections/meta-collections: libraries and archives as intermediaries; disintermediation | Designing, managing and evaluating information services. Assignment 1 Topic 5 due (during mid-semester break) |
| 8 | Designing and managing user services | Designing, managing and evaluating information services |
| 9 | Information infrastructure: Information policies; copyright; access permissions; terms and conditions of use | Seminar Presentations. Assignment 2 due |
| 10 | Accessing information resources/collections/meta-collections: search and discovery strategies; Web 2.0 technologies | Seminar Presentations |
| 11 | Accessing archival resources/collections/meta-collections: search and discovery strategies; Web 2.0 technologies | Seminar Presentations |
| 12 | Review of Weeks 1-11 | Seminar Topic: Exam Revision. |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)
On-campus students are expected to participate in all tutorials; all students are expected to complete tutorial exercises and related discussion forums. The activities in these sessions are directly related to the Assignments. Up to 20% of the marks for each assignment may be deducted if students do not meet this requirement.
Criteria for assessment:
1. Degree to which postings demonstrate understanding of the topic and engagement with the readings.
2. Contribution in discussion forum and responses to postings with other students.
3. Completion of class exercises.
You will be assessed on the basis of:
1. Demonstrated understanding of the information service.
2. Evaluation of the main components of the service according to the criteria provided.
3. Research and investigative effort.
4. Identification, coverage and use of relevant sources.
5. Presentation of findings in report, including citations and bibliography.
6. Class presentation.
7. Participation in related tutorial exercises and discussion forum.
Further detailed guidelines will be provided.
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.
Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.
It may be possible to resubmit assignments in a limited number of special circumstances. However, this will only be possible with the prior permission of the Lecturer.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them.
You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students. For Sunway see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/
The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Sunway, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.
Academic support services may be available for students who have a disability or medical condition. Registration with the Disability Liaison Unit is required. Further information is available as follows:
See the unit reading list via the Monash Libraries website.
Additional references will be provided during semester.