In this article, I imagine a library that prioritizes teaching users how to find, evaluate, and use information over the traditional library public service activities of collection development, access to materials, and reference services. If I ran the library, all services would support end-user education. (Contains 1 graph and 1 note.)

"Embracing the chaos" is an ongoing challenge for librarians. Embracing the chaos means librarians must have a plan for responding to the flood of new products, widgets, web tools, and gizmos that students use daily. In this article, the author argues that library instruction and access services have been grappling with that chaos with…

This essay arguing for retention of sophisticated reference-desk service as separate from library instruction notes brief history of relationship and two fundamental reasons for separation: a "one-shot" lecture could not cover every tool useful for research needs of each individual student; and not all patrons are experiencing library instruction.…

The relation between library instruction and the reference function is explored, noting characteristics and aims of both functions, terminology (bibliographic instruction and library instruction), user attitudes toward library use, correlation of the two services, and purposes of both bibliographic instruction and the reference process. Sixteen…

Urges librarians involved in library user instruction to meet the challenges preented by the growing role of computers in bibliographic systems. (FM)

Discusses several topics related to teaching reference work: (1) a basis for teaching reference; (2) teaching theory; (3) practicing skills; (4) preparing students for the employment marketplace; (5) developing interpersonal skills; (6) bibliographic instruction; and (7) the library environment. (five references) (MES)

Presents five papers from the American Library Association's June 27, 1992, conference session, "The Right to Know: Will Changing Our Instruction Methods Empower the Public," in which panelists debate the design and impact of bibliographic instruction and the provision of reference services in academic and high school libraries. (EA)

Proposes three methods to be used by database searchers in structuring online search sessions with the goal of minimizing the negative effects on interlibrary loan operations. Forms management, management of printed search results, and the instruction of patrons are discussed. (Author/EM)

Teaching critical thinking is a relatively new dimension of bibliographic instruction (BI) in the academic environment. It marks a departure from the teaching of "user skills" in which the primary concern is enabling library patrons to determine the appropriateness of reference tools and to use those tools effectively. This report assembles a…

Discusses whether librarians should aim to give "answers" (attempt to answer information need) or "clues" (instruct user in use of information sources) when responding to users' questions. Peripheral factors concerning questions (when, how, where, why, what), cost and benefits, and approaches associated with academic library…

Focuses on advantages and disadvantages of centralizing the administration of a bibliographic instruction program in the academic library reference department, noting objectives in administration of such a program; concerns to be addressed prior to deciding who, within organizational structure, administers program; and administration through…

Discussion of the teaching role of the academic librarian focuses primarily on reference librarianship. The interaction between patron and librarian and the necessity for the librarian to teach are noted. Eighteen references are provided. (EJS)

Traces the development of cooperation between reference librarians and catalogers, highlighting cooperative goals, role of the library catalog in meeting informational requirements of patrons, involvement of catalog librarians in library instruction, and patterns of library organization. Future trends are discussed. Twenty sources are given. (EJS)

Discusses the evaluation of library instruction through observations of student and faculty at the reference desk of university libraries. Bad effects (guilt, overconfidence, indignation) and good effects (patience, adventurousness, trust) of library instruction are noted, and characteristics of more successful academic library instruction are…

The lead article in this symposium argues that academic librarians have become too enthralled with their perception of themselves as teachers and urges them to shift their emphasis from instruction to services. Six authors respond to this view in short opinion pieces. (11 references) (CLB)