Page 205 - DLIS006_INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES

Information Sources and Services

Notes 10.2 Evaluation of Directory Sources

Librarians have always placed a high priority on evaluating directory sources. In helping users
find people, places, and organizations having suitable directory resources has always been
critical. Criteria for judging directories are often similar to standards that are used for other
types of reference sources. Some important criteria to consider in evaluating a directory include
scope, currency, accuracy, and arrangement.

10.2.1 Scope

Does this source include addresses and telephone numbers? Can we get Web sites and sales
figures from this list of businesses? Will this directory of colleges include schools in Canada?
These are all questions that deal will] the scope of a directory.
What is covered or included should be one of the first things considered in deciding to use a
specific directory to answer a user’s question. The scope of directories can he looked at in terms
of their who, what, or where. Who are the people covered by this directory? Does it even list or
cover people? Is it covering lists of people who reside in a given area? The what of the directory
refers to the things listed in the directory. What organizations, schools, agencies, businesses, or
funding opportunities are listed in the directory? The where of the directory deals with the
geographic coverage. Is it local, national, or international? Prefatory material in a print directory
can he used to determine the scope and likely usefulness in a particular library setting. Scope can
be more difficult to determine for electronic directories, and often librarians have to rely on
vendor documentation or promotional material to get an idea of what a given resource may
cover.

10.2.2 Currency

How often is this directory published and updated? Does it come out annually, biannually,
quarterly, weekly, or daily? These questions of currency are of critical importance. Users of
directories are often trying to make connections with people and organizations outside their
immediate community. Success in doing so often depends on having the most current available
information.
Determining the currency of a directory can be less complicated for a print source. Print
directories often follow an established publishing schedule, usually appearing annually with
supplements at regular intervals. The print directory will have a lag in reporting changes in
addresses or phone numbers, for example, until a supplement or new edition is published.

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Caution This lag will limit the currency, and this caution should always be taken into
account when using a print directory in a reference situation.
The currency of electronic directories can sometimes be problematic. They often have much
more frequent updates than their print counterparts, with additions and changes being made
several times a year or even more frequently.

However, despite frequent updates, the currency claims of electronic directories need to be
viewed critically and with caution. Updating for many electronic directories consists of adding
new material but not updating the entire database content. Some database vendors will keep
separate schedules for adding new entries and for updating the remainder of the database.

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