Description: This course surveys and evaluates the major print and electronic bibliographic and information sources in business librarianship. Emphasis is placed upon user needs as they are translated into information-seeking practices. Topics covered will be divided into two categories: first, concepts applicable to all reference services, and, second, material specifically covering business reference. Topics in the first category will include the types of reference service, philosophies of reference service, and the reference interview. Topics included in the second category will include the basic classifications of business and business issues; the types and functions of business; current issues in business reference; background topics, including money and banking, investing, competitive intelligence, accounting, and business law; and marketing business library services. Course materials will be augmented by one tour, in-class discussion, and guest speakers. Three credit hours.

Goal of Class: While this class covers the major bibliographic tools used by business reference librarians, it does so with the goal of providing students with an understanding of the climate and current issues of business librarianship and the major intellectual areas that business librarianship addresses as well as of providing students with background information necessary for students to become business reference librarians.

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites. The class is taught assuming little initial student knowledge of reference or business, meaning you most definitely do not need to be a reference expert or have a business background to take this class.

Class Meetings: Mondays, 3-5:50 p.m.

Lavin, M. (2001) Business Information: How to Find It, How to Use It. Greenwood Publishing: Westport, CT.

• 3 Reference Worksheets 40 percent
• 3 Book Reviews 20 percent
• Industry Analysis 40 percent

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date.

There will be three reference worksheets which will consist of a number of questions for which you will find the answers. One will cover print sources, one on-line ones, and one business resources on the World Wide Web.

You will also read three books on business topics. The first of the three will be on the topic you have chosen for your industry analysis (see below). The other two may be on any business topic and may be scholarly or popular. A list of suggested titles will be provided. It is better if the books are on different business related topics. For example, one could be on strategic issues, as are the books on the list, another on marketing, and still another on finance.

The student is to write up a book review for each book, and, for the second book, the student will also present the review and lead a class discussion on the issues raised in the book and these issues’ importance to business. The reviews should summarize the content in the book and discuss the importance of the material for business.

Finally in his or her industry analysis each student will choose a specific industry, summarize and analyze that industry and its influence upon society, describe briefly the most important industry information sources concerning that industry, and indicate how easy (or difficult) it was to find necessary information.