Ralph Waldo Emerson's criticism that libraries lack the profession of "professor of books" represents the central problem of bibliographic instruction: an inadequately formed theoretical or conceptual framework. A history of the ideas, notions, terms, and phrases about bibliographic instruction illustrates this. (MSE)

The Library Orientation Exchange (LOEX) provides assistance to librarians in developing library instruction programs for college faculty. It offers information and materials, compiles research reports, constructs bibliographies, and gives advice. (MSE)

The need for a structure for the discipline of bibliographic instruction is discussed in the context of library instruction as a means of developing critical thinking skills in students, based on experiences with student patterns of thought. (MSE)

Colleges and universities have much to gain from developing a teaching library, whose core component is a comprehensive bibliographic instruction program. The library's active involvement in academic programs leads to improved student skills and faculty productivity, and thus to the institution's educational quality and faculty and student…

Bibliographic instruction can do more than provide directions on library use for a specific assignment; it can contribute to the objectives of liberal education by teaching skills in asking questions, critically analyzing information, and answering questions. (MSE)