IS 531: Pathfinders
Pathfinders were originally developed at MIT as succinct, printed bibliographic guides on specific topics arranged in search strategy order to help users in writing a paper or doing personal research on a popular topic. They are designed to be used for topics that result in repeated, similar queries. Pathfinders allow reference librarians to ration scarce time by allowing users to begin with guidance and then reappear only when there are snags. In a sense, it is self-service reference. Pathfinders are also the major handout left behind after a bibliographic instruction section. Some information professionals prefer "library guide" to pathfinder, but guides typically are not strategic and are not organized on a step-by-step basis. As most academic libraries develop web pages, you will find a growing number of guides, but few pathfinders on the web. Because they imitate the step-by-step reference interview process, pathfinders require more time and effort than simply listing useful sources. The key to the pathfinder is what you do first, second, and so on.
Pathfinders should be transparent or easily used by those who are unfamiliar with LIS terminology. They should also be consistent using the same format regardless of subject or topic. Pathfinders are also highly selective since they include a limited number of higly useful sources.
Pathfinders respond to social science questions that are repeatedly asked at your reference desk. Because creating pathfinders requires time and effort as well as regular updating, you will limit them to topics where there is repeated demand and where the pathfinder will save time and effort and result in better service for harried users.
Pathfinders should be limited to the formats most appropriate for a particular topic. Thus, some pathfinders will include books while others might be limited to websites. If teachers do not allow the use of encyclopedias or websites from certain domains, the pathfinder should make that clear. Pathfinders must be highly selective so don't be seduced into packing more and more sources into them. A few really good sources are best.
The original MIT pathfinder was limited to two pages (one sheet of paper) and included these elements in this order:
Pathfinders should be organized logically in the best way for the typical user to search for information. Pathfinders are organized in a by the numbers sequence. Do this first, do this second.... This means that you need to first develop a logical search strategy for your topic. Typically, this means that you begin with definitions and descriptors and then follow with formats that are likely to be used and useful. The items mentioned first are those likely to be most useful. Items mentioned later are likely to be more specialized or interest fewer users. Once the strategy is completed, the next step is to identify and characterize particularly useful sources. In some cases, these will be representative of an entire class of items. Each source mentioned should be briefly annotated [phrases are OK]. Annotations should answer two questions: (1) what is this work about? And (2) when should I use it? Please note that not all published pathfinders follow this model. Sometimes, they are simply collections of useful items arranged by format.
Pathfinders were originally limited to one sheet of paper in
order to be user friendly and to force the librarian to eliminate all
but the most essential information. This seems reasonable to me. One
sheet or two pages should be enough space. This does not mean that you
use 6 point type and .25 inch margins to squeeze in more stuff. We want
users to start down that path and not provide them with a map for a
lengthy journey.
In this course, the pathfinder assignment focuses on a social
science topic. A good place to begin is with a social science reference
question likely to be repeated for your type of library or information
agency. Below I have listed some not ranked variables that you may wish
to consider. Surely, there are others that you will be able to add.
| Variables | |
| Subject |
|
| Pathfinder
purpose & scope |
|
| Brief
topic introduction & history |
|
| Descriptors/names associated with topic in classification schemes and in indexing and abstracting services | |
| Major
databases with topic content |
|
| Comprehensive
websites with good topic content |
|
| Encyclopedias,
dictionaries, and handbooks |
|
| Image
sources |
Although not all of these are 100 per cent pathfinders, they should give you a good notion of what is involved.
Peoria Public Library: Business Pathfinder.
University
of Virgina: Fine Arts Library: user instruction on finding
periodicals. Limited focus, but certainly step-by-step.
Morton Grove
Public Library: Genealogy Pathfinder. An excellent example.
Clarke
Public Library: Aging Pathfinder. A bit long and not as stepped as
I would like, but ....
Tulsa
Public Library: Changing Careers Pathfinder. Typical example.
Assume organization reflects source appropriateness and utility.
GPO
Access: Pathway Browse Topic: Africa. Browse format used for
government information. Assume organization reflects appropriateness
and
utility with more useful items at top.
A
Fictitious Social Science Interdisciplinary Pathfinder. Good model,
but too long.
