ALA Core Competency Number 5: Reference & User Services
5A. The concepts, principles, and techniques of reference and user services that
provide access to relevant and accurate recorded knowledge and information to
individuals of all ages and groups.
5B. Techniques used to retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse
sources for use by individuals of all ages and groups.
5C. The methods used to interact successfully with individuals of all ages and groups
to provide consultation, mediation, and guidance in their use of recorded knowledge
and information.
5D. Information literacy/information competence techniques and methods,
numerical literacy, and statistical literacy.
5E. The principles and methods of advocacy used to reach specific audiences to
promote and explain concepts and services.
5F. The principles of assessment and response to diversity in user needs, user
communities, and user preferences.
5G. The principles and methods used to assess the impact of current and emerging
situations or circumstances on the design and implementation of appropriate services
or resource development.
1) INFO 5600: Reference Evaluation Set 2
March 16, 2023
The series of reference sources below include evaluations of databases, indexes, abstracts, search engines and series. Particular attention is paid to the source's authority, scope, and arrangement as well as a researched recommendation of whether or not the source is reliable or useful (5A). These reference evaluations dovetail perfectly with ALA Core Competency Number 5: Reference & User Services. One of the competencies in Reference & User Services is to determine the information needs of users. Evaluating reference materials helps ensure that these resources meet the specific and varied needs of the library's user base (5F). Additionally, librarians promote resources and as such they need to be sure of the quality of the materials they provide. Evaluations like the one below ensure that patrons receive the best materials (5C).
2) INFO 5600 Reference and User Services Evaluations Set 1
February 12, 2023
In the evaluation of reference sources below, the source's authority, scope, and arrangement is appraised as well as a provided recommendation of whether or not the source is reliable or useful (5A). In addition, reference materials often come with usage policies, especially digital resources. By evaluating these materials, librarians ensure that they are adhering to licensing agreements, copyright laws, and other necessary regulations(5F,5G). Part of Reference & User Services involves teaching users how to access and evaluate information (5C). By critically evaluating reference materials themselves, librarians are better equipped to teach patrons about the criteria for evaluating the credibility and reliability of sources. Critical evaluations of reference materials are inherently intertwined with the ALA competencies in Reference & User Services. These evaluations ensure that librarians maintain high-quality collections, meet user needs, uphold ethical standards, and stay updated in the constantly evolving information landscape.