Summer+2008+Question+2

Question 2
2. Different kinds of information needs are best responded to by different types of ** sources and media. Specify an information environment (public, academic, **  ** school, special library, or other) and identify ** ** (a) At least three different information needs that might be encountered. **  ** (b) Discuss the factors that determine the selection of the type of source and type ** Matt **
 * of media to meet that need. Be sure to give examples of each kind of need. **
 * Answer:
 * Public Library **
 * ** Ready Reference – a customer is seeking a fact, statistic, or other specific piece(s) of information.  **
 * ** This type of question can usually be answered by consulting one of many reference sources, print or electronic, that are readily available to the information professional in most libraries.  **
 * ** Examples of this type of question might include:  **
 * ** Who is the CEO of AIG, and how much money did they make last year? Oh, and do you have contact information for them?  **
 * ** How are diamonds evaluated, and where can I find an explanation of those criteria?  **
 * ** I need to see a copy of an obituary for Frederick Douglas, the abolitionist.  **
 * ** How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?  **
 * ** Sources that are useful for answering ready reference questions are usually the basic reference standbys, such as encyclopedias (general or subject specific), directories, dictionaries, almanacs, handbooks, statistical sources, etc.  **
 * ** Research Queries- a customer is seeking in-depth information on a subject or range of subjects in order to satisfy a personal need or to meet a business or academic requirement.   **
 * ** This type of information need is usually not satisfied by a single source, or even a single type of source, and may require a multitude of different media types and information packages to successfully satisfy the query.  **
 * ** Examples of research queries might include:  **
 * ** A HS student who needs literary criticisms of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, as well as biographical information about the author, and information about Jim Crow laws for a paper they are writing on depictions segregation in literature.  **
 * ** A local businessman needs help finding grants and writing a winning grant proposal.  **
 * ** Edna, from just down the street, is researching some gravestones she found out behind her house.  **
 * ** These types of questions are really kind of bottomless in terms of the number and type of resources that might be used to satisfy them. A good cross section might include any number of general or subject specific databases, local historical documents, individual biographies, multivolume literary criticisms, etc.  **
 * ** Reader’s Advisory- a customer is seeking advice on what might be enjoyable or interesting for them to read.  **
 * ** Although some very good tools exist (print and electronic) to assist customers with this common type of question, often the best resource is the librarian themselves and their ability to successfully execute a reader’s advisory interview and then recommend a few good choices based upon their own experience.   **
 * ** Most examples of reader’s advisory questions are fairly similar at their base, though the age, reading ability, and reading interests of the customer does create quite a bit of variety within this narrow scope. Again, the reader’s advisory interview is essential in helping to determine what the best path will be for each individual. With that in mind, some common examples might include:  **
 * ** An elderly woman who has loves westerns, but has read everything by Max Brand and Louie L’amore, and would like some suggestions for new authors that write in the genre.  **
 * ** A fifth grader has burned his way through the entire Harry Potter series and NEEDS something else to read, NOW. Or, alternatively the 13 year old girl who has read all of the Twilight series and doesn’t think there is anyone out there to read as good as Stephanie Meyer…  **
 * ** A parent with two children (2 and 4) wants suggestions for books that she can read to them that they will both enjoy.  **
 * ** Print sources such as A to Zoo, Genreflecting, What Do I Read Next, or Teen Plots are good if you have them, but there are a number of great online resources as well, such as Novelist, BIP’s FictionFinder, Read-the-books, etc.  **