The subject specialist librarian can perform a number of important services: establishing contact with user groups; selection of materials and collection development; instruction in library use; provision of current awareness, reference, and bibliographic services; serving as a library "ombudsman" for users; and bringing user…

Results of separate national surveys sponsored by the College English Association and the University of Nebraska indicate that the English department is the primary focus of research paper-related instruction (also termed course-related library use instruction). Librarians, therefore, are advised to create a special librarian-English teacher…

Examines the value premises underlying the "information versus instruction" debate in reference librarianship in light of the technological design issues now facing librarianship. Economic and technological developments that may affect the future of reference services are described. A 32-item reference list is included. (Author/JL)

Describes important techniques by which library users avoid information overload, clarifies the terminology in the information overload literature, and reviews the major findings of this literature in the context of library applications. Implications for users and librarians are discussed. (CDD)

This paper focuses on critical factors regarding the effectiveness of the course-related or course-integrated mode of bibliographic instruction: administrative problems (cost in time and personnel, coordination and scheduling materials development); critical role of faculty; consistency of instruction; transference of library knowledge from one…

Summarizes a study conducted on a group of bibliographic instruction librarians from academic libraries in Pennsylvania to determine their backgrounds, their perceptions regarding the adequacy of their training for bibliographic instruction, and their needs for additional training. Data are summarized in 12 tables and a 9-item reference list is…

Discusses the definition of an online library catalog; five factors to be considered by the online catalog designer; user-computer communication (error messages, help screens, prompts, unnatural language); online tutorials and offline instruction offered by bibliographic instruction librarians; and the current situation. Nine references are…

Links the origin, decline, and renaissance of bibliographic instruction to the increasing specialization and democratization of education and reviews the history of the academic library and the role of the academic librarian in American higher education. The value of concept-oriented bibliographic instruction is stressed. Included are 18…

Librarians should adopt a teaching role to instruct users in microcomputer literacy, as microcomputer laboratories and software collections are increasingly a part of academic libraries. University of Wisconsin-Parkside has provided microcomputer orientation workshops and faculty seminars in their microcomputer lab for students, faculty, and…

The administrator of the library of the future will be concerned with costs of new services, while the scholar will see a knowledge explosion within his or her own lifetime. Librarians must help scholars stay informed of new developments in their respective disciplines and teach them new techniques to access materials. (CDD)

This essay suggests that conversation, crucial for human life in society and intrinsic to nature of libraries, may be the appropriate model for providing guidance, means, and context for change in academic librarianship. The business model, missions and goals, collection development, bibliographic instruction, and organizational considerations are…

Describes a study that investigated the skills that bibliographic instruction (BI) librarians in academic libraries thought were needed to provide adequate BI and where these skills should be taught or acquired. Training for BI offered in library schools is examined, and recommendations for further study are suggested. (19 references) (LRW)