كلية التربية النوعية - جامعة المنيا

Course Outline

• Course title: Information Retrieval and Dissemination Systems (Theoretical Aspect)
• Targeted audience: First-year students in the Department of Educational Technology
• Instructor: Dr. Mohamed Zahi Mohamed Tony
• Course credit: 3 credit hours
• University: Minia University
• Department: Educational Technology
• College: Special Education

Chapter 1: Introductions to Library Science

• Definition: A structured collection of knowledge resources available to a specific community for research, consultation, and borrowing.
• Modern Libraries/Information Centers: Resources extend beyond print books to include newspapers, periodicals, maps, atlases, drawings, manuscripts, correspondence, memos, and electronic sources like CDs and online databases.
• Importance: Fosters reading comprehension, curiosity, and knowledge pursuit. Preserves history, documents discoveries, and inventions. Offers free access for those unable to afford books. Provides resources for students and researchers.
• Types of Libraries:
  • National/National Libraries: Single library per country, serves as a repository for the nation's intellectual and cultural heritage.
  • Public Libraries: Serve the community, typically within a city or prefecture.
  • Specialized Libraries: Institutions or organizations serving specific fields of expertise.
  • University Libraries: Gather resources and support teaching and research.
  • School Libraries: Support the school curriculum and develop students' knowledge.
• Library Personnel: Roles of librarians, and relevant expertise.
• Challenges Faced by Libraries: Financial constraints, rising costs of books, and lack of qualified individuals.

Chapter 2: Library Services

• Definition: Library services include all aspects of facilitating user access to information, resource preservation, and the library's cultural role in society.
• Types of Library Services:
  • Technical/Indirect Services: Support acquisition, organization, and retrieval of resources; e.g. acquisition, cataloging, classification.
  • Public/Direct Services: Engage directly with patrons; e.g. borrowing, photocopying, and training sessions..
• Library Provisioning (Acquisition): Involves acquiring resources via purchase, exchange, donation, and legal deposit.
• Library Classification, cataloging, borrowing, and photographing.
• Library Training: Arranging workshops, seminars, and education sessions about the available resources and services.
• Reference Services: Direct assistance to patrons in locating and using relevant resources for research.
• Types, Levels, Roles and Duties

Chapter 3: General and Specialized Reference Sources

• Definition: Reference Sources are materials used to look for specific information, not meant for complete readership; e.g., dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, atlases, bibliographies.
• Difference between Books & Reference Materials:
  • Reading style: Books are read cover-to-cover; reference materials are consulted to extract specific information.
  • Organization: Books are organized by chapters/sections; reference materials are designed for efficient access to specific information.
  • Scope: Books focus on a single topic in depth; reference materials provide a broad overview of multiple topics.
  • Objectivity: Books may present an author's perspective; reference materials strive for neutrality.
• Types of References:
  • General References: Cover a wide range of disciplines.
  • Specialized References: Focus on a specific field.
• Encyclopedias: Provide concise entries on numerous topics covering various fields of knowledge.
• Biographical Sources: Delve into details of notable personalities from numerous fields.
• Yearbooks: Provide annual summaries of activities and key developments.
• Atlases: Collections of maps illustrating geographical or other information.
• Dictionaries/Thesauruses: Expound on words, translations, meanings, and usage.
• Bibliographies: Citations and abstracts of works of literature in a specific field.

Chapter 4: Classification of Information Resources

• Definition: Classification involves organizing resources according to established rules and codes, facilitating retrieval via keywords or codes.
• Types of Classification:
  • Formal Classification: Arranges items alphabetically or chronologically, based on physical characteristics.
  • Subject Classification: Organizes resources according to their subject matter, using standardized systems.
• Dewey Decimal System: A universal decimal system for classifying library materials.
• Library of Congress Classification: Another standardized major system for library classification.
• Importance and role of library classification in modern settings.

Chapter 5: Descriptive and Subject Cataloguing

• Definition: Descriptive cataloging involves creating detailed records for resources, including physical characteristics and key details. Subject cataloging involves creating records based on the content and subject matter of the resources.
• Types of Catalogs:
  • Author Catalog: Organizes books by author.
  • Title Catalog: Organizes books by title.
  • Subject Catalog: Organizes books by subject.
  • Dictionary Catalog: Combines author, title, and subject entries.
  • Classified Catalog: Uses a classification scheme for organizing items.
• Methods for generating and maintaining catalogs in libraries.
• Importance and role of the catalog in user-friendly research.
• Using the internet and different systems for cataloging and searching.

Chapter 6: Information Retrieval Systems

• Types & Features:
• Search Engines: Online tools aiding in locating web pages, files, and associated digital media.
• Databases: Stored data sets with structured information, facilitating search and retrieval.
• Electronic Catalogs: Digital indexing for quick and precise location of resources.
• Digital Repositories: Systems for storing and managing digital information, including documents and multimedia items.
• Digital Libraries: Repurposing traditional libraries with searchable digital collections.
• Search Strategies/Techniques
• Boolean Searching: Using operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches.
• Advanced Searching: Using keywords to limit search results.

Chapter 7: Digital Repositories

• Definition and Concept: Digital repositories are online storage systems for digital information.
• Types of Digital Repositories:
  • Open-source: Free to use
  • Commercial: Licensed systems.
• Importance in Education & Research:
• Increased accessibility to educational materials; aiding research; promoting cultural exchange; archiving data.

Chapter 8: Egyptian Knowledge Bank

• Overview: A comprehensive repository providing digital access to a vast range of educational and general-interest resources.
• Features: Facilitating access to Egyptian-produced educational and cultural resources.
• Digital Resources:
  • Educational modules, supporting various Egyptian curricula.
  • Digital libraries of books, films, and other media.
  • Interactive learning tools, suitable for diverse age groups.

Conclusion

• The notes discussed the various types of library science, services, and retrieval systems, including their importance and potential challenges, particularly in educational contexts.