Observation of Reference Services, Scribes, and Books: A Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of scribes and their books in ancient times, drawing upon Frederick Kilgour's "Punctuations of Equilibria" model and Robert Darnton's model for understanding historical books. It examines the evolution of literacy materials, from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to the advent of e-books, and the impact of technological advancements. The report also includes observations of reference services in a library and information center, comparing in-person and virtual inquiries and evaluating service quality. Additionally, it outlines a plan for reference services in a public library, focusing on the needs of users with dyslexia and reading difficulties, including service enhancements and special programs designed to improve their engagement with the library and its resources.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY 1
Library Science
Student Name
Institution

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Introduction
1.
Scribes assist in the understanding of literacy from ancient times to current time. Scribes
and their books play an important role in ancient time. Scribes in ancient Egypt and
Mesopotamia provides rich information that is important for understanding the patterns of
literacy evolution. For instance, in Mesopotamia, various literacy materials based on debates
were documented using scribes (Lyons, 2011). The following paper analyses the role of scribes
and their "books" in ancient times using Frederick Kilgour's "Punctuations of Equilibria" model.
Kilgour in this book, his publishers are kept short with relatively small types and
economic profits, and he predicts the fate of the book. From the long-term perspective of this
book - can be defined to save and carry or easily transport information - Kilgour provides Niles
Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould on the concept of "balance punctuation" (Breunig & Koski,
2012). Things tend to remain status quo when there's no reason for a major change although
following meteor impacts and technological breakthroughs, they change with relatively quickly.
Kilgour reviewed the human history of nearly 5,000 years from a favorable position from
around 1970. Kilgour described five such events, which were the development of clay flakes, the
rise of papyrus, the emergence of binding pages (manuscripts), movable inventions Type
printers, as well as the adaptability of steam power to prints. Since the late twentieth century, this
book has been estimated by Kilgour and has undergone two additional major changes: photo
composition as well as offset printing. In addition to professional titles, letterpress printing, as
well as hot lead technology, were all outdated by the 1970s and 1980s, in addition to professional

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titles, letterpress printing and hot lead technology were outdated. And the e-book, written in
1996 or 1997, his date is 2000 (when the critic received his book). Kilgour relies almost entirely
on published sources and even references. He occasionally repeats, and occasionally someone
wants to tighten the text further, with less detail or work drawings (see, for example, paragraphs
on pages 87-88, which describe how the hose in the Gutenberg design prevents the platen from
turning the screw. Even so, as a general reader's summary, the evolution of this book has
succeeded in making long stories and rich stories readable and useful. Kilgour's survey is
equivalent to a book collector's world history (Cioffi, 2015). It outlines the ancients' economic
and tax record needs and writes a direct link between the invention and the bookkeeping
invention.
In my view, the role of scribes backup the Kilgour's thesis since the thesis explains the
classified historical book based on material that exists. The Kilgour's thesis indicates ways
through which materials are changing since the ancient time of Egypt and Mesopotamia that can
form the basis of current e-books.
It explains how writing tools, cursive writing, and ink advancements are driving papermaking
experiments. The second-century manuscript solved the storage problem of tablets and the
difficulty of recycling information on the reel. The Christian world requires cultural clerics and
monastic life to read, especially in Lent, and St. Benedict's rules require each monk to read a
book. Therefore, Kilgour explored the script and how it works, borrowing policies, editing
procedures, copy machine training, and their hardships (at the bottom of the last page of an
assignment, a monk wrote: "Now I wrote the entire article; Give me a drink "[p.71]) for Christ's
sake. We understand the emergence of book indexes and the role of glasses in extending people's
reading lives. In addition to block printing and early production, Kilgour's repetition of

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Gutenberg includes commercial and intellectual property issues, the rise of universities and
professions, and the opening of the text of religious warfare (Coatu, 2015). Although Kilgour has
no doubt about the importance of population growth and literacy, driving the search for simpler
ways to copy books, or printing books faster, he is also concerned about this contingency. When
Aloys Senefelder's mother played limestone and ink made from wax, soap, and fume, she
suddenly asked him to write a shortlist for the laundry woman. His success, different ingredients,
led to lithography (Curley, 2016).
2.
Robert Darnton’s model for understanding historical books helps in understanding the
changes that have occurred in the historical book since the 15th century. The model shows the
transition from past present and into the future and this is evidenced through the transition from
scrolls to the codex that assisted many historians especially the Christian historians. Moreover,
Robert Darnton’s model of understanding books gives insight into various ways that technology
can assist in transforming literacy. For instance, according to the model, various historians use
various materials for
Robert Darnton’s article “what are historical books
“What are historical books” is an article where the author attempts to trace the social
history of various books that include producers, readers, sellers, shippers, and printers. The
article classifies various materials that give a historical perspective of books. Darnton is a
pioneer in the field of the history of the book. The "bookcase" is divided into three parts. Those
parts are the future, present, and past. The future part of the article presents some of the e-books
technologies that might assist in future literacy. In the four chapters of the "Future" section,

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Dalton estimated how new technologies such as Google Book Search would change the
landscape of the library and literacy. We are seeing the era when the Gutenberg Galaxy moved to
the Google Galaxy. In other words, the printing of books and ink bank rules are giving way to
Anant Borges Library.
Dolton is optimistic about Google's invasion in theory, but it's pessimistic about Google's
invasion (Hamilton, 2012). In theory, as a librarian at Harvard University, he is likely thrilled
about a library that could dwarf the Alexandria Library. In reality, they spent chapters and
chapters, which can give details of everything that could be wrong. The opposite of open access
to monopoly (which will prevent Google from charging shameless fees?) The problem of
technology transfer (8 tracks are difficult to enter, how long before?) They prepared a solid table
of problems.
The only major concern about it is that Google is not able to scan rare books, or at least
not enough. Apart from being able to overcome this fact with enough time, if only Multi Millions
of books are digitized, then I will not complain (and not in other parts of the world). The goal of
digitization is not to achieve digitalization of the whole book, but to achieve digitalization of the
critical mass of the book. That quality of the digitization of the book should come soon after the
digitization of the critical mass of the book is achieved.
Darnton takes a very different approach from Luddite, although his book is full of
uncertainty and anxiety about what this transformation could mean. Google’s attempt to digitize
a major research library is an example of a development that has excited him as well as surprised
him. He's concerned that Google's "monopoly tendency" and the risk of coveting private interests
will hamper any desire for the public interest (Kwak, 2016). How to protect the interests of

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authors and publishers? Should Google be considered a publisher? How does a research library
adapt to the operation of Google Book Search? Will we lose irreplaceable details when we
sharply convert data to bytes?
He found more problems than he could answer. But he talked about the dangers of
digitization. Since these were collected as early as 1982 articles, some work - from the second
half of the 90's - seemed old. Nobody is debating (except for some librarian circles), microfilm is
better than newspapers. There is also some overlap between the papers because we read many
times, and for many academic journals, many memberships can be more than $ 20,000. But some
are interesting because their historical information, such as their chapter "The Mystery of
Reading," has a description of "ordinary book", which is like the 18th Century favorite file RSS
feeds (Latham, 2017). The reader wrote a quote from his beloved and formed a self-edited editor.
However back on the best or the good side: Google's discussion. In Chapter 3, "The Future of the
Library", Google's judges have listed some excellent suggestions for what writers and publishers
should do to harmonize with Google:
Public Authorities regularly monitor the prices
Representing libraries and readers in the registry Unclaimed works are available for
potential competitors to digitize for Google. To prevent Google from misusing its monopoly
power, demand the Justice Ministry's Vengeance Accreditation Act.
Some of the measures can protect personal privacy from Google's omnipotent electronic eye and
are sensible suggestions or recommendations for the time of the current earthquake. If you want
to educate yourself in the entire changing literary landscape, then the first fourth chapter price is
a "bookcase".

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3.
Observation of Reference Services
In-person reference question
Speaking to a reference librarian in person as opposed to speaking to a reference library
through a chat has many similarities to the answers I got although there are some significant
differences as well. When I spoke to a Reference Librarian at the Great Neck Public Library, I
got a better understanding of how the library operates. I got a better understanding of how the
library operates by speaking to a Reference Librarian in person as opposed to speaking to a
Reference Librarian in a chat room because in person to response to my questions from the
reference librarian were immediate, I was also able to hear her voice and see her facial
expression which are important aspects when conducting an interview. Some best practices for
reference services include having a librarian who’s specifically assigned to reference. This would
be a good idea because a librarian assigned specifically to the libraries reference department
would have a better understanding of how the reference department works as opposed to having
librarians rotate in the reference department since they likely won’t have the complete
knowledge of the reference department that a full time reference librarian would have.
Virtual reference inquiry
I attempted to speak to a Reference Librarian via an online chat on the Syosset Public
Libraries webpage. I was able to briefly speak to someone who said they wouldn’t be able to
answer all my question thru an online chat and encouraged me to contact the Syosset Public
Libraries Head of Reference. I then called the Syosset Public Libraries Head of Reference. The

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information I got about him was that he’s been with the Syosset Public Library for the past 8
years, he reports to library director he has a MLIS from Queens College, a MBA from Rutgers, a
Bachelors Degree from SUNY Albany. The most popular genres at the library are General
Fiction, Mystery and Science Fiction. True Crime is also very popular. The biggest selection is
History with WWII being the biggest section.
Comparison
The library has 3 floors, elevators and they conform to ADA Requirements. The hours for
reference are the same as they are for the rest of library. Residents as well nonresidents can use
the computers at the library. I found that the Great Neck Public Library reference department
meets the following criteria: Is to be found in a highly visible physical or virtual location (the
library, outreach locations, or the library website), Focuses complete attention on the patron and
his/her information need and Allows the patron to fully state his/her information need in his/her
own words before responding. Proper signage or notification that indicates the location, hours,
and availability of in-person and remote assistance is available.
Contrast
I did not receive the same timely responses to my questions via e-mail. The following
criteria was not met: Responds in a timely fashion to remote queries, Acknowledges user
questions in a timely manner or Uses current technology during the reference interview to gather
as much information as needed to serve the patron’s need without compromising patron privacy.
One major difference between both reference interviews is that I was able to see the body
language of the reference librarian at the Great Neck Public Library as I met her in person

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whereas I wasn’t able to see the body language of the reference librarian at the Syosset Public
Library as I did not meet him in person. Body language while it is not everything when it comes
to an interview it is quite important and it can give one an idea of the how the person being
interview feels about the questions being asked, the knowledge they have regarding the library
along with how they interact with others at the library that a phone interview or an online chat is
not able to do. Additionally, I can get a sense for how busy the library is in person by being there
which I can’t get by simply doing an online chat or a phone call with a reference librarian
making the in person interview the most effective way to not only interview the reference
librarian but to learn about how the library operates, how busy the library is along with where
everything is looking in the library and additionally if the library is fully staff and ready to assist
any and all patrons that visit the library.
In conclusion, the best practices for a reference librarian is for them to Engage in
discussion and expresses interest in individual experiences related to information needs,
Connects users to tools that can help them identify diverse sources of information and Assists the
user in evaluating, managing, formatting, storing, using, or displaying information.
4.
1. Mass-Market Paperback Books:
Perception: For the general population in the spending limit, the Mass Market Paperback
Book is insignificant, is frequently not specified and a minimal effort that's restricting
arrangement. The ordinary size is 6.75 inches high x 4.25 inches wide, and it generally has text
styles, driving, and line dividing. For example, small sizes are frequently utilized. At the point

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when sold by expansive distributing organizations, they are frequently discharged after the
hardcover form (Rumpala, 2016). They are known for selling books in areas that aren't the
typical places to sell books. Those unconventional places include airport terminals, kiosks,
pharmacies, and supermarkets. Books in non-conventional zones are frequently found in the
diary circulation industry. These books are circulated by similar organizations which hold
magazines at those spots. Many softcover books are conveyed by book wholesalers and
merchants or business channels and along those lines, they are designated "exchange softcover".
The cover sheet of the Mass Market Paperback Book section of the center examines what
happens when you spread the spread and evacuate the book (Schlatter, 2012). The cover sheet of
the Mass Market Paperback Book the section of the center talks about what happens when you
spread the spread as well as expel the book.
Striped Vs. Non-strippable Mass market softcover books are also recognized by hard
work and exchange by different business rehearses, which apply to distributors and booksellers.
Expansive scale showcase "is removable." This implies that the book shop can tear the spread
and simply return the spread to get the full credit. It is suggested that they should crush the
remainder of the book. Exchange softcover books are inadequate. In this manner, book retailers
should restore the whole book, not just the spread (Slauter, 2013).
Independent publisher
Once independently published distributors distribute their books, they then are normally
discharged just as an aggregate market. These books rarely are hardcover books. This
configuration helps in decreasing the cost of the spread, making these books progressively
appealing for a larger group of onlookers in a market which is profoundly aggressive.

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2. Trade Paperback Books
The observation Trade paperback is a cheap version of the hardcover version. They are
generally
much thicker than market books in general. They are usually like the size of hardcover
books, but different methods of binding and hardcover are slightly smaller due to the thickness,
width, and height of the book (Strychacz, 2011). If a book is a paperback, you will know that a
method is a back cover, sometimes a title page, and a notice that it will be said that they are not
peeling.
Size and cover price
In the compositions and productions of genuine itself distributers, softcover books are
generally distributed. They are generally 5.5 "x 8.5" or 6 "x 9", and less regularly 8.5 "x 11".
Children's image books are normally 8 "x 10". Retail protection costs are commonly higher than
those of extensive market books and are not exactly hardcover renditions.
Mass market softcover, triangle and letter S on the left demonstrate that the book is
stripping; the softcover on the privilege is printed with a triangle, and the S letter shows that the
book isn't stripping. Additionally, the distinction with regards to the cost as well as the size
should be noted. Furthermore, there likely are UPC standardized identifications in the month to
month showcase books; and in the exchange, there is the Bookland/EAN scanner tag (Tanselle,
2018). Mass market softcover, triangle and letter S on the left demonstrate that the book is
stripping; the softcover on the privilege is printed with a triangle, and the S letter shows that the
book isn't stripping. Additionally, the distinction between cost and size should be noted. There

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are additional UPC scanner tags in the month to month advertise books, and in the exchange,
there is Bookland/ EAN standardized tag.
3. A snappy note about softcover book organizes in the UK
Like US standard mass-market softcover, "a configuration" is typically 110 mm x 178
mm (4.33 "x 7.01"); "B-group" is normally 130 mm x 198 mm (5.12 "x 7.80"), which is like
substantial number of softcover books or little softcover books in the United States; In the United
States, "C-group" is like standard exchange softcover, normally 135 mm x 216 mm (5.32 "x
8.51").
Understanding the contrasts between these two general book organizations helps book
distributors with their job. What's more, when you peruse the book shop retires and scan for your
structure rationality of books, at that point whatever you see, there will be a superior
comprehension of what you see (Breunig & Koski, 2012).
5.
Unrecognized revolution: Through thorough censorship along with careful
methodological descriptions, Eisenstein describes how historians ignored or avoided analysis of
the full impact of print culture on social change. Additionally, she noted that she did not refer to
the press as the sole agent of change. Instead, she told us that in her opinion that the most
significant of his three technological innovations of the century were the naval and maritime
improvements, Military ammunition; and printing presses.