Chapter 14 Directories Bopp & Smith

1. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction By Richard E. Bopp & Linda C. Smith Chapter 14 DirectoriesBopp & Smith Introduction to Reference LIS 5220 Presentation by: Katherine Stirewalt and Andrea Chavis

2. Directories What are directories? A listing of people or organizations in a systematic way. They cover all topics and geographic areas. They are available in print, CD-ROM, online databases, and files on the internet. Why are directories important in the library? They are used to locate, verify, and match people to organizations, institutions, and people. Directories may cover a wide range of topics and are available in many formats.

3. Evaluation of Directories • Criteria for judging directories are often similar to standards that are used for other types of reference sources. • Important criteria to consider when evaluating a directory for your collection: • Scope (who, what, where) • Currency (most current available information) • Accuracy (correct information) • Arrangement (simple or difficult access)

4. Scope Scope is what is included in the directory. The scope of directories should answer the who, the what or the where of a subject. Scope can be more difficult to determine with electronic resources because librarians would have to look at vendor’s promotional materials to get an idea.

5. Accuracy • In order for librarians to weed through and discard erroneous information, careful examinations must be done of directories to ensure the most accurate information is available. • Inaccurate information limits the usefulness of information. Users should be cautioned to exercise good judgment because sometimes information obtained from directories may contain errors.

6. Currency In order for users to be successful it is important to have the most current available information because users of directories are often trying to make connections with people and organizations outside their immediate area. Questions of currency are critical! How often is a particular directory published and updated? Does it come out annually, biannually, quarterly, or daily? Determining the currency of a print source directory can be less complicated because print directories often follow an established schedule whereas, the currency of electronic directories can be sometimes problematic because of frequent updates, additions, and changes being made several times a year. Updating for many electronic directories consist of adding new material but not updating the entire database content.

7. Arrangement • The arrangement determines whether access to the information in the directory will be simple or difficult. • If a directory is poorly organized, users are not likely to find the information they need. • Searching directories electronically allows users to take advantage of multiple access points, search multiple editions, and create customized lists for entries with common characteristics.

8. Directories as Databases • Directories can also be beneficial as databases. Even though Web search engines may generate results, these results may not be the most reliable. • The library including commercially published directories in a library’s collection can answer more public inquiries and address a wide range of topics. • The investment of directories as databases would depend upon user needs.

9. Different Directories There are many different types of directories available. Some things to consider when looking at the different types of directories: • Community you are serving. • Type of questions that are asked. • Amount of questions in a particular subject area. • Budget • Geographical location. • Availability of directory in non-print formats (online databases, free databases available on the internet, CD-ROM). • Uniqueness of directory.

10. SELECTION of Directories Selection of directory sources may vary greatly from library to library! Librarians will need to carefully consider the advantages of providing access to commercially published directories as opposed to relying on resources that might be available freely on the Web. Important criteria to consider in selecting a directory include: Community Cost Uniqueness

11. Print Directories Once the need of the user has been determined, the librarian has to choose which directory to use and which will meet the information in need. Deciding to use a print directory brings with it advantages and disadvantages fro searching and overall use. • Advantage: coming from reputable publishers with information that is filtered and largely accurate. Regular Publications schedules. For some users, they have more authority than comparable electronic sources. Easy to browse for users. • Disadvantage: May not be as current as electronic resources. Getting information may e slow. Limited access points restrict what can be retrieved from a print source.

12. Electronic Directories Becoming more and more prominent in libraries. Many users are finding answers to directory questions quickly by using electronic resources. • Advantage: more current than comparable print sources. Information is easily updated in electronic form, and users are most likely to get the current information. Speed of processing users can often access them without having to come into the library. Ability to search multiple access points. Searching several indexes at a time or combining fields to create customized lists really adds to the retrieval power of electronic resources. • Disadvantage: Depend on working equipment and network connections. Librarians may be forced to have alternatives on hand to meet such contingencies. Subscription based electronic resources have protocols that might limit where or how many users can access a product at a given time.

13. Electronic Directories versus Print Directories • Why choose electronic versions over print versions? • It may be easier to update CD_ROMS and other electronic versions more frequently thereby giving you more accurate up-to-date information. • Additional search features including additional index searches, keyword searching, subject searching, and Boolean logic phrases (AND, OR, NOT). • Some directories may be available for free on the Internet. These web sites would be a good resource to librarians to have easily accessible (examples- AnyWho Toll Free Directory, reference link at Yahoo, and the Internet Public Library’s Reference Center).

14. Directories As Databases • There are many benefits of commercially published directories, weather in print or electronic form. Features can make it easier to answer certain types of questions. Some features directories might include are structured format of directory entries and the ease of identifying all entries have certain characteristics. • Investment in directories will depend on the users needs and the funds available for collection development. • If investment is made the library should work to ensure the users of the library are aware of the ways in which use of the library collection can extend beyond the easily available resources of the web. • Inclusion of commercially published directories in a libraries collection can expand the range of questions that can be answered and the efficiency with which answers can be found.

15. Examples of Directories As Databases • American Library Directory: Each entry has a structured format that includes such elements as size of staff, size of collection, and automation activity and vendor information. Cost: Free 14 day trial. • Gale Directory Library: Multiple electronic titles are aggregated, provides online access to 43 different directories, such as Wards Business Directory of U.S. Private and Public Companies and the 3 parts of the Encyclopedia of Associations. Image Source: www. americanlibrarydirectory.com /   Image Source: www.openlibrary.org  

16. Directories of Directories Directories of directories can help identifying whether a directory exists for a given topic and ensuring questions such as: Can I find a listing of addresses and phone numbers for sports agents? Is there a directory of law enforcement officers? These sources provide listings and descriptions of various directories. • Gale’s Ready Reference Shelf is a database of more than 10 directories published by the Gale Group. The database is organized into three files, organizations, publications, and databases, and can be searched individually or as a whole. Cost: Free trial available. Could not find an actual subscriber cost listed. Image Source: www.gale.cengage.com/  

17. Examples of Directories of Directories Found in Schools: • Web-Directories.ws, as the name says, is a web directory. This site could be useful to K-12 teachers as it lists over 20,000 web directories searchable by niche, region, or language. Cost: Free • Directories of Print gathers information on directories worldwide. It is a two-volume set in print but it is also available on Dialog and GaleNet.Cost: $966.00 Image Source: www.web-directories.ws/  Image Source: www. gale.cengage.co.uk Lesson Plan/Example: A student is doing research to locate the best summer camp to visit in the state using an online directory of other directories. She may need location, background information and other fun facts. The librarian may use Web Directories in order to locate state directories, then camp directories matching certain criteria. The internet provides sources not readily available in the school library.

18. Telephone Directories Telephone directories can be used to find names, addresses, and telephone numbers for individuals and businesses. Some phonebooks also provide local maps, history, calendar of events, zip codes, shopping guides, advertisements for businesses and seating guides for stadiums. Telephone Directories are available on the Internet, CD-ROM, and traditional paper format. Reference USA: Offers a wide variety of database products that are available in print, CD-ROM, or internet. Access to over 20 million businesses, 22 million consumers, Help job seekers locate and research companies they may want to work for. Cost: Could not find a cost listed to subscribe. Image Source: www. northshelbylibrary.org

19. Examples of Telephone Directories found in Schools: • Infobel: An example of a free portal for Web telephone book is Infobel, which offers links to phone directories in the US and internationally. • Cost: Free • AT&T’s AnyWho offers free white pages people search. Lets you search for someone's phone number by name and location. Cost: Free Image Source: www. infobel.com Image Source: www.anywho‑phone‑directory‑2.j Lesson Plan/Example: A graduate student may want to research the first African American librarian, Thomas Fountain Blue, and discovers that his family or next of kin are still alive and well for interviews in a particular state. The student has the name and location of the family members and needs a good address and/or number. The librarian can access Infobel and provide contact information to student.

20. Library Directories Directories of libraries and subject collections are used for identifying the locations, professional staff, and special collections of libraries all over the world. They connect the library user to information experts in all subject areas and geographical locations. LibWeb: Library Servers via WWW is a web based directory providing links to 8,000 Web pages from librarians in 146 countries. Keyword search compatibility in addition to the possibility of browsing the lists of libraries arranged by country and for the US, subdivided by type of library and state. The cost of this directory is: Free Image Source: www.libweb_logo.gif

21. Examples of Library Directories Found in Schools: American Library Directory: standard source in reference collections the most comprehensive listings of libraries in NA. covering libraries of all types, consortia, arrangements, and key libryary personel. It is often kept at a reference desk. Good for finding out about particular libraries. The U.S. American Library Directory is abailable electronically on Dialog and Nexis. The cost of this directory is 329.00 for the Print version. Image Source: www. books.infortoday.com A student is doing research on Laura Ingalls Wilder for a research project. The student wants to know if there are more resources available than what her school library has. The librarian decided to use the American Library Directory in order to find the library located in the town that Laura Ingalls Wilder lived. This will give her access to more resources than the school library is able to provide.

22. Association Directories Association directories help librarians connect people to appropriate organizations locally, nationally, or internationally. These directories help us to find addresses, telephone numbers, names of officers, publications of the organization, annual conference locations, and finding local chapters of organizations. • Directory of U.S. Associations comprehensive source of information for 60,000 professional, business, and trade associations as well as, 501 non-profit, charity organizations. Cost: Offers free trial but no cost listing. Lesson Plan/Example: A student is completing a research paper for English class and needs assistance with more sources for her subject: African American inventors. The media specialist could guide her to the Internet Public Library’s Associations on the Net where she would find pathfinders containing a variety of sources . The site would also inform how to cite all of the works from the IPL source for her Works Cited page.

23. Examples of Association Directories Found in Schools: The Internet Public Library’s Associations on the Net (AON): The Internet Public Library’s Associations on the Net (AON): 2,000 internet sites that include professional and trade associations, cultural and art organizations, political parties and advocacy groups, labor unions, academic societies, and research institutions organized by subject. Cost: a free resource maintained by students and volunteers; registration for a fee The Encyclopedia of Associations: provide basic profiles of nonprofit associations in the US and worldwide. Cost: Must register for services for online version; Amazon costs is $1266.75 for hard copy of book Image Source: www. creechroades.wcpss.net Image Source: http://www.ippbooks.com

24. Publishing Directories Publishing directories contain addresses and phone numbers of publishers and various aspects of the publishing business. Literary Market Placeis a comprehensive directory of publishers in the US. Volume 1: basic industry directory with basic information on publishers, literary agents, editorial providers, industry associations, and trade publications. Vol. 2: directory of supporting services such as entries for marketers, advertisers, promoters, and suppliers. Publishers Directory: provides comprehensive coverage of US and Canadian publishers, distributors, and Wholesalers. Provides full contact information including email addresses and Web site URLs. American Book Trade Directory: comprehensive directory of book retailers and wholesalers in the U.S. and Canada. Lists retailers, wholesalers, antiquarians, and dealers in foreign language books. Image Source: www.books.infotoday.com

25. Examples of Publishing Directories Found in Schools: The Publishers’ Catalogues Home Page would be a valuable tool for Library/Media Specialists, teachers, and students K-12. This site allows searching by format, such as books, movies, audio books, and video games and by keyword in publishers names. The United States publishers’ sites also include university presses. Lesson Plan/Example: Students want to find publishers for a classroom poetry book they have created. They also want to gain more access to potential illustrators to decorate to capture their ideas and enhance their poems. A librarian might guide them to Literary Marketplace.

26. Educational Directories Education and research center directories provide addresses, phone numbers, and brief background information on the institution. These directories can include secondary schools, community colleges, universities, and research centers. The Patterson Directories are good for users looking for information on elementary and secondary schools in the U.S. The College Blue Book: provides profiles on universities and postsecondary institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Cost: $519.00 from Amazon. Image Source: www.googlebooks.com Image Source: www.amazon.com

27. Examples of Educational Directories Found in Schools: • The International Handbook of Universities could be used by High School students, teachers, and counselors. Although entries vary greatly, the briefest entry contain the address, phone number, and list of departments for a given school. • Cost: Cost: $370.00 Palgrave Macmillan (hardback) Lesson Plan/Example: A high school senior wants to compare colleges to possibly attend upon graduation but needs more information on all the colleges of interest such as: admission criteria and tuition fees, historical background, schools and departments, diplomas offered and contact information. The media specialist could refer the student to the print material The International Handbook of Universities. If the student preferred an online reference, The International Handbook of Universities could be ordered or the media specialist could rely on an interlibrary network and refer student to outside community library source.

28. Foundations and Grant Directories Foundation and Grant directories outline the interests of various foundations and grant-making institutions and the kinds of activities they support. They also show which foundations give money to a particular non-profit entity and how much they give. The Foundation Directory: foundations in terms of annual giving. Part 2 profiles the terms of giving. Annual Register of Grant Support: provides pubic and private foundations, government agencies, corporations, community trusts, unions, educational organizations, professional associations, and interest groups involved in grant giving. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is the largest source of grants. It provides access to all federal funding programs that are available to individuals, state, and local governments, private organizations, and nonprofit groups. Searched by functional area, agency, program title, applicant eligibility, deadlines, program number, grant and keyword.

29. Examples Foundations and Grant Directories • Foundations On-Line provides access to numerous grant-giving institutions, which allows browsing a directory, choosing a listed foundation, and searching that institutions home page. This could be valuable tool for K-12 educators searching for funding. Cost: Free online resource Lesson Plan/Example: A music teacher is looking to start a music program with her fifth grade students in which they would each learn to play a musical instrument. She knows that most of the students would not be able to afford the instrument, so she would like to provide a rental option for these students and needs funding to do so. The media specialist could refer her to Foundations On-Line to access musical grants.

30. Business Directories Business directories are used to help find information about a company’s location, contact information, general background information, and product information. You can also use them to find businesses that provide a specific service. Worlds Business Directory of U.S Private and Public Companies: provides lists of private and public companies in the U.S. Standard & Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives: profiles corporations and provides names and biographical sketches for their executives and top level managers. LexisNexis Corporate Affiliations: identifies affiliates and parents for given companies.

31. Examples of Business Directories Found in Schools: Web Site Source Book contains Web site addresses, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and toll free numbers for businesses in the U.S. and Canada that are on the Internet. Yahoo! Directory: would be a free resource that could be consulted for free addresses, telephone numbers. Lesson Plan/Example: A high school DECA organization wants to find mentors for their members from various business establishments in the area. The media specialist could provide the Web Site Source Book for email contacts to different businesses.

32. Government Directories There are two types of government directories: privately published and government published. Washington Informational Directory is an annual publication arranged by subject containing information about our local and national government agencies and organizations. Cost: $155.00

33. Examples of Government Directories Found in Schools: Worldwide Government Directory with International Organization: identifies elected and appointed officials in 201 countries and the European Union as well as the leadership of more than 100 international organizations. Carroll’s Municipal Directory provides contact information fro officials at the city, township, and village level of government. State and Local Government on the Net is a free Web sites that librarians can use to browse and search for government information. Lesson Plan/Example: A World History class is researching various countries’ governments for presentations in a unit. They need to include the country’s leaders with background information for the leader and various relevant organizations to compare with other countries. The media specialist could guide them to an online resource, Worldwide Government Directory, to get them started. This may also lead to other links for more information for the presentations.

34. Specialized Directories These directories cover a certain section of the population or profile very specific organizations. Directories of this type come in all kinds of formats and vary greatly in the information they provide. These directories give information on agencies, institutions, programs, and publications concerning the segment of the population in the title. • The examples include Directory of Native American Museums and Cultural Centers, Directory of American Philosophers, The Official Museum Directory, Hispanic American Information Directory, and Women’s Informational Directory.

35. Examples of Specialized Directories Found in Schools: African Americans Information Directory: Previously published as Black Americans Information Directory, this fully updated and revised edition includes more than 5,200 organizations, agencies, institutions, programs, and publications relating to African American life and culture. Cost: $125.00 from Amazon.com Image Source: www.gale.cengage.com

36. Search Strategies: • Many directory questions are in the realm of ready reference and may often be answered easily by opening a print resource or typing a name into an electronic data base. • Others may involve consulting a number of different resources. • The process of working through a directory question will take a good reference interview and careful consideration of the advantages, disadvantages, and features of the available print and electronic directory resource.

37. Reference Interview • Starting Point is to find out what the user actually needs can be done through an interview. • Questions to clarify what exactly is needed: • Are you looking for an address or telephone number for this person? • Would you like to find this associations Web site? • Would you like financial information with the companies phone number and e-mail address? • Would you like the database to sort these manufacturing companies by city?

38. Works Cited American Library Directory . Information Today, Inc. n.d. (Web) 1 Sept. 2011. http://books.infotoday.com/directories/American-Library Directory.shtml Bopp, R. and Linda Smith. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. 4th ed. California: Libraries Unlimited, 2011. Print. Directories In Print. Gale Cengage Learning. n.d. (Web) 31 Aug. 2011. http://www.gale.cengage.com/servlet/ItemDetailServlet?region=9&imprint=000&titleCode=DOD&cf=p&type=3&id=250891 Encyclopedia of Associations . Amazon.com, Inc. n.d. (Web) 1 Sept. 2011. http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Associations-Associations-Vol-Organizations/dp/0787648191

39. Works Cited “Washington Informational Directory 2010-2011.” CQ Press. n.d. (web) 5 Sept. 2011. http://www.cqpress.com/product/Washington- Information-Directory-2010.html Web Site Source Book 2008. Omnigraphics. n.d. (web) 5 Sept. 2011. http://www.omnigraphics.com/product_view.php?ID=876 Yahoo!, Inc. n.d. 5 Sept. 2011. http://dir.yahoo.com/