Descriptions of documents contained in the microfiche collection of the Declassified Documents Reference System [now online by subscription], which originated primarily in the Central Intelligence Agency, the State Department and various components of the Department of Defense. Other agencies, including the National Security Council, the White House, and the FBI among others, also contributed documents which range in size and scope from telegrams, correspondence, unevaluated field reports to lengthy background studies and detailed minutes of cabinet meetings.
Part I. Concepts and Processes, History and functions of reference service: Ethical aspects of reference service; The reference interview; Organization of information and search strategies; Electronic resources for reference; Understanding electronic information systems for reference; Access-related reference services; Instruction; Training and continual learning for reference staff; Evaluation of reference services; Organizing and delivering reference and information services; Reference services for specific populations. -- Part II. Information Sources and their Use: Selection and evaluation of reference sources: Directories; Almanacs, yearbooks and handbooks; Biographical sources; Dictionaries; Encyclopedias; Geographical sources; Bibliographic sources; Index and abstracts; Government information and statistics sources.
This book begins by looking at career opportunities in both Federal Depository Libraries (FDLs) and non-depository libraries with government documents collections. It then discusses skills and traits; networking and training options; managing and administering people, paperwork, and collections; and both public services and technical services issues.
This handbook is designed to help researchers, journalists, students, and business people to locate the rich array of Washington institutions and organizations that focus on issues pertaining to Central Asia and the Caucasus region, particularly in the post-Soviet period. Washington's status as a major repository of documentation on every aspect of the region is strong and growing daily. Beyond the Library of Congress, which intensively collects newspapers and other published materials from the region, and the Foreign Broadcast Information Service, which does the same for radio, there are hundreds of national and international public, non-profit, and private organizations and institutions in Washington with extensive links to Central Asia and the Caucasus, all of which maintain active archives and collections. The Guide includes more than 270 entries. It describes the structure and scholarly and technical resources of libraries, archives and manuscript repositories, museums and galleries, collections of sound and visual recordings, map and film collections, and the holdings of research centers and information agencies. Academic programs and departments of the metropolitan area's many institutions of higher learning are covered, along with international organizations, U.S. and foreign government agencies, association and advocacy groups, scientific organizations, educational and cultural organizations, corporations, technical assistance organizations, religious organizations, publications and media operations, bookstores and online resources. An index of organizations and institutions enhances the Guide's usefulness.
