IS40530 Information & Reference Services

Academic Year 2023/2024

This is a professionally-oriented core module aimed at Postgraduate Diploma and MLIS students who wish to pursue a career in library and information work.

This module introduces the information professional to information provision and information services in various contexts, focusing on both the theory and practice behind locating, evaluating, and using resources and developing and delivering information services. Students learn to interview clients, using question negotiation techniques to elicit, identify, and analyse the information needs and wants of individuals and groups, and to respond appropriately with individual assistance and group instruction. In addition, students are introduced to principles of literature searching, collection development and management, and programme creation and evaluation, which further support development of overall information services for communities.

*NOTES:
1. This module is delivered in a compressed format to facilitate the school in spreading assessment deadlines to support student learning.
2. As emerging professionals, students should take note that *full* attendance and participation are required for this module, reflecting future professional workplace participation.
3. Submission of *ALL* assessment for this module is compulsory; any assessment component not attempted will result in an overall failing grade for this module.
4. Because this module is offered in a blended format, students must:
a) commit to continuous active online and offline engagement; and
b) ensure they have access to a computer with functioning audio & webcam set up for effective online participation. For technical assistance, students should contact the IT Services Help Desk.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic theories of information behaviour and apply these to information services.
2. Communicate effectively with individuals and groups of clients.
3. Identify, locate, evaluate, and use information resources in multiple formats effectively in information seeking and provision.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of ways to provide access to information in multiple formats.
5. Select and utilise appropriate technologies for developing and providing access to information and information services.
6. Elicit, identify, analyse, and respond appropriately to the information needs and wants of individuals and groups of clients.
7. Develop and analyse information collections and information services to meet the information needs of communities.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Practical

5
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

125
Total

250
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
*Lectures
*Guests from workplace environments
*Active learning
*Critical thinking and learning
*Reflective learning
*Problem-based learning
*Team learning
*Student presentations
*Online learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Portfolio: Second Portfolio Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

50
Portfolio: First Portfolio Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on formative and summative assessment occurs over the semester. Feedback on e-tutorials will occur automatically in Brightspace.

Name Role
Shannon Eichelberger Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Sophie Fitzpatrick Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 11:00 - 13:50