Using the Internet As a Reference ToolMichael Sauers, Internet Trainer, BCRComputers in Libraries, 15 March 2000

What We Are Here to DiscussHow to use the Internet effectively at your reference desk.

• Evaluating Internet Resources• Ready Reference Strategy

Guess What?

The Internet isn't as difficult to use at your reference desk as you may think!

Why Is This Important?

• Librarians must take an assertive role in new information technologies

• Patrons are "sure" everything can be found on the internet

• Only through effective techniques can it become a valued part of our reference collections

AssumptionsBy your attendance at this seminar, I will assume you already know the following:

• How to access the Internet• What a browser is and how it works• Not everything can be found on the

Internet• Books are STILL useful

Evaluating Print ResourcesWhat six items do we look at when evaluating print resources?

• Purpose• Authority• Scope• Audience• Cost• Format

Purpose

• The purpose of a reference work should be evident from the title or form.

• Has the author or compiler fulfilled the purpose?

Authority

• What are the author's qualifications?

• Does the imprint of the publisher indicate the relative worth of the book?

• Does the author have a bias or agenda?

Scope

• What has the author contributed that cannot be found in other bibliographies, indexes, handbooks, almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, and so on?

• Is the data more current than that of another source?

Audience

• Is the work for the scholar, student of the subject or a layperson?

• Is the work age appropriate?

• Is there patron demand for the title?

Cost

• Does it fit in your budget?

• Is the extra cost worth it?

Format

• Is the work useable?

• Is it of a manageable size?

• Is there an index?

Evaluating Internet ResourcesSo, what do we look for in Internet Resources?

• Purpose?• Authority?• Scope?• Audience?• Cost?• Format?

Purpose?

Is purpose a consideration?

• Is the purpose of the site evident?

• Has the author or compiler fulfilled the purpose?

Authority?Is authority a consideration?

• What are the author's qualifications?

• Does the imprint of the publisher indicate the relative worth of the site?

• Does the author have a bias or agenda?

Scope?Is scope a consideration?

• What has the author contributed that cannot be found in other bibliographies, indexes, handbooks, almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, and so on?

• Is the data more currentthan that of anothersource?

Audience?Is audience a consideration?

• Is the work for the scholar, student of the subject or a layperson?

• Is the work age appropriate?• Demand will apply if you are

limiting Internet access.

Format?Is format a consideration?

• Is the work navigable?• Is it searchable?• Are links apparent and logical?

…with a little modification

Cost?

Is cost a consideration?

• Until a year or two ago I said no.• Internet based services were free• Services accessed via the Internet

weren't• Recently more sites are starting

to charge• SF Chronicle - $1.95/article• Boston Globe - $2.95/article

So, How Do We Evaluate Internet Resources?

We should be evaluating internet resources the same way we have been evaluating print resources for decades!

Just apply what you already know to this new medium.

What Specific Items Should We Look for in a Web Site?

• Author or contact person• Link to local homepage• Institutional connection• Date of creation or revision• URL: TLD / ~ (though not as reliable as most

think)

Web of Deceit?

What to watch out for:

• Sites that claim to have “The” answer• “Make money fast!”

• Are they actually selling something?• Credit Counseling - MasterCard• Café Herpe - SmithKlein Beecham

Ready Reference Strategies

Forgetting the Internet for a moment...

When a patron comes to you at the reference desk and asks a ready reference question what actions do you normally take?

What Do You Do?

Take them over to the reference section, pick the correct book, open it up, find the answer.

Remember this is a perfectworld....

Now, on the Net...

You now have Internet access at the desk...

That same patron comes in and asks the same question and you think the Internet may have the answer. What do you do?

What Do You Do?

The most common response is to go to your favorite search engine and start hunting.

This is the wrong approach to take!

Remember...

You had a simple strategy for print, what happened?

Remember, treat the Internet like you would any other collection of resources.

Electronic Shelf Reading

You shelf read your print collection, don’t you?

Why not “shelf read” the Internet?

Shelf Read the Whole Net!

Remember your first day on the job out of library school?

How could you possibly remember what was contained in every book in the reference section?

The Internet is no different!

Develop Your Electronic Reference Collection

• Create a web page NOT a bookmark list

• Be sure that it loads quickly and is easy to find

• Organize it in a logical order• Be sure the whole staff becomes

familiar with the list (just like the print collection)

• Use it

It Takes Time

Don't expect to be able to find all the answers on the Internet too quickly.

It will take time to learn what resources are available; which ones work, which don't

What Types Of Questions Are Best Answered On The Internet?• Current events• Business statistics & data• Government information• Sports Information• Medical conditions or syndromes• Internet/computer• Directory-type information• Travel & tourism

For More Information...

Michael Sauers

msauers@bcr.orghttp://www.bcr.org/~msauers/

(303) 751-6277